DLA advice needed please

LeedsLS8

Hi, sorry to bother you, I was wondering if anyone can help me with DLA. I currently receive lower rate for both care and mobility. After speaking to my GP, he says that based on my condition, and my care needs etc, that I should be entitled to at least middle rate care. He said, one of the descriptors DLA use is, needs continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to you or others.

He said this applies to me, because my Dad has to supervise me everywhere because of aggression issues etc, plus the fact that Atos, recently said that I would not need to attend a medical with regards to ESA, because there was a serious risk of danger to the medical person, and also to myself.

Anyways, I was wondering what other information I would need to put on form that DLA are sending me? Also, would it help, if I got a letter from my psychiatrist to back up everything, and my Community mental health nurse and also my GP.

Thanks.

Dunroamin

How did you manage when you were working?

LeedsLS8

Dunroamin wrote: »

How did you manage when you were working?

How do you mean mate?

pmlindyloo

I think Dunroamin is referring to your recent post about your being employed.

You can access posters posts by clicking on their name and looking at their public profile.

LeedsLS8

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I think Dunroamin is referring to your recent post about your being employed.

You can access posters posts by clicking on their name and looking at their public profile.

Eh, ive never put that im employed? Ive been out of work for almost two years.

Muttleythefrog

Are DLA sending you another form because you've asked to reapply... or are you getting reassessed...or are you applying for supercession (redetermination of entitlement due to reported changed circumstances of health)... or have you just had your entitlement assessed and is appeal an option?

Supporting medical evidence can be crucial in getting appropriate DLA award... but obviously the evidence needs to be as tied to the DLA critiera as possible. The issue of requiring supervision you can describe in the mobility section "Do you need someone with you to guide or supervise you when walking outdoors in unfamiliar places?" (as this can add to a claim of requiring day time supervision in relation to care component) but more significantly the daytime section "Do you usually need someone to keep an eye on you?". You could use the Other Information section to add anything you feel necessary including perhaps reference to your evidences that you require significant supervision... include the ATOS report if it is at least consistent with your claims. Ensure at all times that you have in mind the specific technical understanding of the daytime supervision criteria (and other relevant criteria) - this is a good source http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/f23.htm

Advice otherwise might be dependant upon what your situation is regarding your claim.. if you could clarify for people here.

LeedsLS8

I asked them to look at it again, based on what my GP said, which is why there sending me another form.

My situation is, im paranoid about everything, its hard to put down in words, but for example, if I have to go somewhere, where there is a lot of people, I have to go with my dad. I always think people are laughing at me or talking about me. In my head ill think people have said something about me, for example, I was with my dad after collecting a prescription in town, we were walking to car park, and I saw two lads having a coffee, they glanced at me, and i immediately thought they were laughing at my clothes. I don't know why I think that, but its something that Im being treated for with medication. Anyways, I shouted at one of them, what are you laughing at my jeans for you fcuking !!!!?? They looked bemused, and my Dad had to drag me away. If it wasn't for my dad I would have done them some serious damage. This happens all the time, so I tend to stay indoors. My Dad has cut down his days at work, so he can care for me alot more, and take some of the strain off my mum.

Muttleythefrog

LeedsLS8 wrote: »

I asked them to look at it again, based on what my GP said, which is why there sending me another form.

My situation is, im paranoid about everything, its hard to put down in words, but for example, if I have to go somewhere, where there is a lot of people, I have to go with my dad. I always think people are laughing at me or talking about me. In my head ill think people have said something about me, for example, I was with my dad after collecting a prescription in town, we were walking to car park, and I saw two lads having a coffee, they glanced at me, and i immediately thought they were laughing at my clothes. I don't know why I think that, but its something that Im being treated for with medication. Anyways, I shouted at one of them, what are you laughing at my jeans for you fcuking !!!!?? They looked bemused, and my Dad had to drag me away. If it wasn't for my dad I would have done them some serious damage. This happens all the time, so I tend to stay indoors. My Dad has cut down his days at work, so he can care for me alot more, and take some of the strain off my mum.

It'll be a supercession then by sounds of it.. and they're sending the form to get a new measure of your problems to look at entitlements again (your award could stay same or go up or down.. there is risk). The paranoia you describe sounds all too familiar to me so I tend to stay in too. Basically your argument will be that you need supervision to prevent you from anti-social behaviour and risk to self and others due to mental health problems whereby you perceive people (strangers?) as targeting you. Your success may depend upon how convicing a case you can evidence that "need continual supervision throughout the day to avoid substantial danger to you or others" is true. You may be able to make a case (you can determine that) that you require personal care during daytime.. i.e. you may meet the other daytime care condition that would also enable an award of MRC. In addition to medical evidence your dad could fill in the relevant section of the form (someone who knows you) to add weight to the claimed supervision needs. I'm thinking also there is the section regarding activities you would like to do if you had support... a good opportunity to describe things you'd like to do socially or in terms of personal interest whereby supervision or other claimed help is necessary to facilitate. There is a decent chance they will contact your primary named specialist in the form... so do ensure such people are up to date with your claimed problems in relation to this benefit.

Assuming it is the standard DLA application form they're sending, you could use an electronic version if you have a printer. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10011925
(half way down page)

LeedsLS8

Thanks for your reply mate, its much appreciated

HB58

LeedsLS8 wrote: »

Eh, ive never put that im employed? Ive been out of work for almost two years.

I suspect that 'Dunromin' was referring to this :-

"I fell into the trap of PDL's a couple of years ago. Started with wonga, then quickquid, then loads of others. They were pestering me all the time. It was worse when they started calling my employers and advising them of my financial situation. It got to the point, where I got so stressed that I packed my job in. They havent contacted me for a while, but because im on benefits Im tempted to do a Debt relief order with CCCS. "