DLA benefit

percycat

Hi,
My o/h has one arm amputated (above the elbow) which he has had for several years after a moterbike accident, he has coped with that brilliantly and it hasn't ever stopped him from working. His other arm though is starting to fail (after an army accident years ago where he damaged his shoulder and he never got the right treatment,) it has slowly got progressively worse, but now it is at the point where the specialist has told him there is nothing more they can do, and he will probably lose the use of it. (the use is very limited now anyway though!)
He applied for dla and has been awarded the low rate of disability, is it worth appealing for a higher rate? thanks

MightyB_2

Is this low rate for care or mobility?

Newly_retired

He can ask for a review as his circumstances have changed.

percycat

hi sorry it is low rate care, and he has only just applied for anykind of dla, so all the circumstances are known. thanks for replies

Newly_retired

He can appeal provided it is within the time limit of one month from the date on the decision letter. Try to get help from CAB with this.

percycat

thankyou .. I will call cab again tomorrow, I tried ringing them this afternoon but I couldn't get through.. do you think it is worth appealing? .. I suppose we can but try x

intranicity

On a side note, if he injured his shoulder/arm whilst in the military, he could be eligible for a War Pension. He really needs to get in touch with the SPVA and start a claim

percycat

Thanks Intranicity ..we have just started a claim there to, it happened years ago, but an mri scan has just confirmed and diagnosed it only recently, the consultant has put it down to it not being treated properly at the time.

intranicity

Make sure he asks for all his medical records, hopefully he reported it at the time. He needs to try and write down the circumstances and approx dates, hopefully somewhere it's recorded which will help him.

SPVA aren't as bad to deal with as DWP, he'll still need to have a medical, and this should be carried out at your home, BY ATOS, but again, when working for the SPVA, they seem to be much better than when working for the DWP!!!

One last thing, if he fails to get a War Pension, or it's less than 20%, make sure you ask for all the paperwork they used to come to their decision, and read through it. SPVA's assessors can make some VERY odd decisions, and you might well need to appeal and go to Tribunal.

JUST MAKE SURE HE FIGHTS to get a War Pension if he loses the use of the other arm, I'd hate to lose the use of both arms, wish him well :-)

percycat

thankyou again, we are dealing with the veterans welfare service they have all his records, its a bit complicated because after the first parachuting accident, when the injury happened, he then got put into military jail (!!) he was supposed to be on light duties, (due to injury) but the mp's made him do normal duties.. which made the injury a lot worse! it's all a bit of a nightmare now.. but we will try.. thanks again

intranicity

Lol, well sounds like he should be OK, as going into Collie would have meant he had a full medical, and light duties etc would be on there too.

Never understood anyone who jumped out of serviceable aircraft myself ;-)

Hope he's still able to see the funny side of life though and his heads in the right place. Any problems with the War Pension, feel free to PM me anytime, been one for 20 odd years now, so know my way round the system a bit.