DLA Decision!

rogerblack

TOBRUK wrote: »

Regarding PIP, everyone regardless of their current DLA award is going to receive the dreaded form from ATOS, and it's just a matter of when. I have just returned mine yesterday!

The form you filled in has nothing to do with PIP, unless you have volunteered for an early trial.
DLA reassessments occur.
Indefinite means that there is no defined time when your award ends.
It does not mean it is forever.
It can be reconsidered at any time.

In addition, it's probable that for PIP, some of the most severely disabled will not have to fill in a form.
They will be migrated over to PIP on the basis of the information the DWP holds about their condition.
Most will probably be getting the form.

TOBRUK

rogerblack wrote: »

The form you filled in has nothing to do with PIP, unless you have volunteered for an early trial.
DLA reassessments occur.
Indefinite means that there is no defined time when your award ends.
It does not mean it is forever.
It can be reconsidered at any time.

In addition, it's probable that for PIP, some of the most severely disabled will not have to fill in a form.
They will be migrated over to PIP on the basis of the information the DWP holds about their condition.
Most will probably be getting the form.

Hi Roger,

It was the questionnaire from atos I filled in because I take it that I am on Incapacity benefit not on ESA and also on DLA. It was from medical services, atos and something like E50 (there were more letters if I remember) form or something, is this the PIP? I didn't volunteer for an early trial.

I take it is because I have been on the old Incapacity system as I have not been on ESA? Aren't they looking at my DLA also? Aren't both going to be one - PIP?

In the letter I received from the reconsideration (with regard DLA) it said that they had looked at all the evidence again and because of my condition they decided upon HRC and HRM INDEFINITELY - they increased the care element to what I asked in the reconsideration.

Sorry for the question!

rogerblack

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi Roger,

It was the questionnaire from atos I filled in because I take it that I am on Incapacity benefit not on ESA and also on DLA. It was from medical services, atos and something like E50 (there were more letters if I remember) form or something, is this the PIP? I didn't volunteer for an early trial.

They are switching everyone on IB/IS/SDA over onto ESA.
This is the beginning of that process for you.

DLA is, and continues to be a separate benefit. (which will change into PIP in a while)
There are no (published) plans to merge ESA (which will be universal credit by then) and DLA (which will be PIP).

However, if you have recently had an award of HRC/HRM - have you made sure ESA knows about this?
It is evidence that may improve your chances of getting into the support group.
If you did not mention this, then phoning up, and asking for it to be taken into consideration when making the decision may be a good idea.

TOBRUK

Hi Roger,

Thank you so much for your reply and especially for the information - I didn't have a clue!! I had no idea that this was the case, I thought both of these benefits were being looked at now by filling in this form!!

I didn't mention DLA at all, not that I recall anyway, (I do have a copy of the form scanned and saved) because in my mind they were looking at both benefits! I know that I mentioned my adapted car and of the changes made to the bungalow e.g. changing layout of the bathroom because of my needs - low profile shower unit, shower chair attached to the wall, grab rails etc.

Other than that I don't recall anything else other than having to move 100 miles to be near family for support and having to move from house to bungalow as health workers had said that it wasn't safe for me to live in the house as it was without certain changes made. Oh and a copy of a letter from my old GP to give to my new GP after moving.

Thank you so, SO much, I certainly feel some relief, I was worried that within the next few weeks they could take away my DLA.

Sorry Lady M, I didn't mean to elbow into your post.

LadyMorticia

TOBRUK wrote: »

Congratulations Lady M.

I remember reading your posts, and if I remember correctly answering some. I received HRM and HRC marked INDEFINITELY after asking the decision maker to reconsider my claim 2 years ago. I too suffer with M.E. and the struggles and pain that goes with it. So I know how you feel when you are granted DLA.

Regarding PIP, everyone regardless of their current DLA award is going to receive the dreaded form from ATOS, and it's just a matter of when. I have just returned mine yesterday!

I am drained after the effort of filling this form. I haven't looked at this forum for about a year since I moved to a bungalow near family. I stayed away so that I didn't read about this dreaded form and how people have been let down.

I am now at this time too exhausted to think of the worst outcome or what lies ahead. Perhaps by next week I shall begin to worry about the assessment I will have to go through!!

Good luck.

Hey Tobruk. It's good to see you around.

I'm sorry things have been hard for you with your health. I hope that you're getting the help and support that you need now. :grouphug:

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi Roger,

Thank you so much for your reply and especially for the information - I didn't have a clue!! I had no idea that this was the case, I thought both of these benefits were being looked at now by filling in this form!!

I didn't mention DLA at all, not that I recall anyway, (I do have a copy of the form scanned and saved) because in my mind they were looking at both benefits! I know that I mentioned my adapted car and of the changes made to the bungalow e.g. changing layout of the bathroom because of my needs - low profile shower unit, shower chair attached to the wall, grab rails etc.

Other than that I don't recall anything else other than having to move 100 miles to be near family for support and having to move from house to bungalow as health workers had said that it wasn't safe for me to live in the house as it was without certain changes made. Oh and a copy of a letter from my old GP to give to my new GP after moving.

Thank you so, SO much, I certainly feel some relief, I was worried that within the next few weeks they could take away my DLA.

Sorry Lady M, I didn't mean to elbow into your post.

Elbow all you like. I don't mind.

LadyMorticia

Thank you for all of the congratulations, although it feels weird being congratulated for being disabled enough to warrant a high award.:rotfl:

mazza111

I know that feeling well Lady M. We were feeling exactly the same with dd got HRM and LRC.

Like woohooo they have finally recognised she has a problem. And then the downside of her having to actually accept that she had a problem if that makes sense.

bessiesez

I'm not saying that it is wrong to celebrate your success, but for me being awarded my DLA only comes remind me that very shortly it will all change with the new benefit starting next year.
Sometimes I wish I hadn't have got my DLA as it is going to be harder to accept having to lose it than it was trying to get it in the first place.
It makes me feel that I should give up everything now instead of having to face continual re-assessments that will come with PIP.

I have been through the ESA system to realise that you will never now be left alone.

TOBRUK

LadyMorticia wrote: »

Thank you for all of the congratulations, although it feels weird being congratulated for being disabled enough to warrant a high award.:rotfl:

Hi Lady M,
Yes I know exactly what you mean! I was surprised you remembered me after all this time! Early last year I remember your plight for DLA! The only thing is though, with all the forms etc it's absolutely exhausting, not only answering all their questions but .... er ... trying to make sense of the questions! It has taken me over two weeks filling this latest one and now ... the big wait!

The funny thing is after sending it off I now realise ( well ... after Roger has kindly explained) that I didn't even know exactly what the form was, can't believe it .. how silly do I feel?!! Good job I came onto the forum after all this time. :rotfl:

Oh well never mind, it only shows that the M.E. is alive and well ... by the time I've finished reading the question I can't remember what I've just read! Seems my short term memory is worse than I thought ha!

I'm glad you have managed to sort the DLA and you can now look forward to becoming a mum.

Wishing you well.:)

Ames

I know how you feel, when I got my letter I was relieved, then anxious, then relieved... it carried on all day. It was hard reading the reasons on the letter, but I don't need to read them again, or the letters from my medical teams.