Change of circumstances DLA

anguk

My husband gets DLA mobility high rate and care middle rate, his circumstances have changed and he's now needing much more care. I rang DLA up and they've sent me a form to fill in so they can look at his claim again but I've got a couple of questions if someone can help.

There's a bit where I have to say what we need them to look at, his care needs have changed so do I just tick that or do I have to also mention his mobility needs? They've changed too but as he's getting high rate already it wouldn't make any difference?

Also there's a bit that says "if you're asking us to look at your claim from before 6/9/2012 (when I rang them) why did you not contact us sooner". My husbands circumstances changed beginning of June after he came out of hospital, I thought you had to wait until you'd needed the help for 3 months, or is that just for a new claim? I'm wondering now if I should have contacted them straight away? :huh:

Thanks for any help.

rogerblack

The 'why did you not'... - is because there may be circumstances in which the change can be backdated.

You probably could not have claimed them sooner.

You can ask for only one element to be looked at, but nothing stops them looking at both, if they choose to.
If his mobility needs have worsened, it's possibly wise to include that, simply to avoid them taking a decision that he no longer has sufficient needs.

juliep58

is the middle rate care for day time or night time? just say it's for day time attention, it doesn't matter if his day time needs have increased he still can't get any more, he would only be able to get more if he now has night needs and vice versa.

def indicate mobility restrictions because by asking them to look at the claim again everything is on the table and they can increase or decrease the award.

sarahlouisesmith

Yes you could just give them the information on the middle rate as this could be increased to higher ate but to be safe its best to give all changes and extra help etc. your husband needs. As for the backdated bit explain that you did not realise that you should let them know straight away and why you thought that was the case ie the waiting for 3 months before asking for extra help which by the way is definitely not true as they always say tell us as soon as your circumstances change. hope this helps I know how confusing the whole system and forms are from personal experience when your sorting this stuff out for the first time etc.

anguk

Thanks for all your help. My husband used to just need help during the day but now he does need help during the night too, the adviser I spoke to on the phone did ask if he needed care during the night. I'll put in about thinking we had to wait 3 months, although as rogerblack says it probably won't make much difference.

I'll have a good read through the forms and fill them in over the next few days, I find them a bit of a nightmare so I'll probably be back for more help.

SueDerbyshire

Hi, I was in the same situation as your husband. I ticked both boxes but stated that my mobility had slightly changed due to ....., when completing the care side, I mentioned that my mobility had changed slightly too due to .... I received a reply after 14 weeks, saying they were going to keep me on the same award and that I only needed 20 mins a night care.

I sent them a letter back explaining that due to my night time care increasing considereably, I felt that my care allowance should be increased and listed by minutes and hours, how much care I needed each day amd might, similar to a diary (might be worth you doing the same, might save you a bit of time later). I got a letter back stating that I will have to wait upto another 11 weeks for a reply. A long process, as always.

Good luck.

Sue