DLA review form Rant

mazza111

Yes I agree it's stressful. Just had my dd's renewal for DLA (due in April) and took me about 3 days to fill it. Because of my own hand problems, I can't write for long. Then just got that posted away when the ESA one popped through the letterbox. AAAAAAARGH. Sat with one dead hand and the other looking like a blown up glove atm, all due to filling out forms DD can't do them herself cos of her hand problems. Hospital 3 times a week atm so impossible to get a suitable appointment with welfare rights officer in the in between days. So muggins was left to do it.

You would think there would be a way they could marry up the forms, you seem to write the same things over and over again with them. Could get RSI from repeating yourself on them

nightsky224

mazza111 wrote: »

Yes I agree it's stressful. Just had my dd's renewal for DLA (due in April) and took me about 3 days to fill it. Because of my own hand problems, I can't write for long. Then just got that posted away when the ESA one popped through the letterbox. AAAAAAARGH. Sat with one dead hand and the other looking like a blown up glove atm, all due to filling out forms DD can't do them herself cos of her hand problems. Hospital 3 times a week atm so impossible to get a suitable appointment with welfare rights officer in the in between days. So muggins was left to do it.

You would think there would be a way they could marry up the forms, you seem to write the same things over and over again with them. Could get RSI from repeating yourself on them

Oh Mazza that sounds rubbish, there is indeed there is alot of repeating. I sort of feel like you should fill one form out for everything then you get assessed as applicable/not applicable for the benefits. Might stop people from missing out on benefits they didn't realise they were eligible for, and stop people from going crazy filling them out.

The charity I work for helps people fill out benefit forms for people with learning disabilities. They are really flexible with timings etc and will go and visit people rather than the other way round. I wonder if there is a similar charity that would be able to help you?

mazza111

In all honesty, we're both quite capable mentally (well most of the time apart from getting my words mixed up :rotfl:) and would normally have used the WRO at the local social work dept. Just with all the hospital appointments going on it's been a wee bit hard to find an appointment on the given dates. That's her Occupational Therapist on annual leave for 2 weeks too, so couldn't even get her advice. But at least she sent the wheelchair assessment off before she went Hopefully by the next time she needs the forms filled we won't have as much on.

She's got hospital appointments 3 times a week for the next 12 weeks (only twice a week over xmas and ny \o/ ), daft bit is, if she had her wheelchair already, she could go herself, we just live across the road from the hospital, but as she can only take a few steps, it's a no go! and it's killing me not having my afternoon nap. I feel like the walking dead. The meds I'm on make me ever so sleepy and really feel like a zombie. Not had a nap this week :rotfl: I'll get my 2nd wind in about an hour and then I'll be fine until around 9 and I'll crash.

nightsky224

mazza111 wrote: »

In all honesty, we're both quite capable mentally (well most of the time apart from getting my words mixed up :rotfl:) and would normally have used the WRO at the local social work dept. Just with all the hospital appointments going on it's been a wee bit hard to find an appointment on the given dates. That's her Occupational Therapist on annual leave for 2 weeks too, so couldn't even get her advice. But at least she sent the wheelchair assessment off before she went Hopefully by the next time she needs the forms filled we won't have as much on.

She's got hospital appointments 3 times a week for the next 12 weeks (only twice a week over xmas and ny \o/ ), daft bit is, if she had her wheelchair already, she could go herself, we just live across the road from the hospital, but as she can only take a few steps, it's a no go! and it's killing me not having my afternoon nap. I feel like the walking dead. The meds I'm on make me ever so sleepy and really feel like a zombie. Not had a nap this week :rotfl: I'll get my 2nd wind in about an hour and then I'll be fine until around 9 and I'll crash.

Sorry when I aid similar charity I didn't mean one for people with a learning diability. Just one that is able to help people fill out benefit forms

Hope she gets her wheelchair soon, sounds like you will then be able to get some much needed rest and she can get some independance then.

Thanks for chatting to me, really appreciate it. Hope you get a chance to enjoy xmas
x

sunnyone

nightsky224 wrote: »

Sigh! I have no idea what it was called before but I don't think he was reassessed, just moved over.

My point is not was not to discuss if my grandad is entitled to DLA. I believe he is.

My point is that sending out unclear, lengthy forms like this out of the blue is stressful for people. The form is complicated and often people try to complete these with out support and wrongly loose their DLA/don't get in the first place and suffer because of it.

The forms have to be lenghty to determine peoples entitlements, they are very simple forms to fill in and endless advice is availalble via reliable sourses to guide people on what information the DWP require to determine peoples entitlements.

Any DLA claimant can get the forms out of the blue, I had a lifetime award which ran till I was 70 (which is decades away btw) but then the goverment changed the goalposts and so my award became indefinate just like everyone else's, the right payment program decides every year which group ofindefinate award claimants deserve DLA reassessment (80% of RPP claims are chosen this way, the other 20% are random) and there is nothing you can do but fill in the forms or lose benefit (s in many cases as the initial DLA monatary award can be quadrupled by addition benefits awarded on the back of DLA)

When you claim benefits you accept that you have to jump through whatever hoops the goverment decide to throw at you or you lose the benefit. End of.

mazza111

nightsky224 wrote: »

Sorry when I aid similar charity I didn't mean one for people with a learning diability. Just one that is able to help people fill out benefit forms

Hope she gets her wheelchair soon, sounds like you will then be able to get some much needed rest and she can get some independance then.

Thanks for chatting to me, really appreciate it. Hope you get a chance to enjoy xmas
x

Thank you. I didn't mean to come across as taking offence, none was taken, just meant the mind is willing, the body isn't able so to speak.

It will make such a difference to her when she finally gets her chair. May even be able to go out locally without me, although I'll tell her not to go too far just in case the arms give out lol.

Sunnyone - I'm pretty sure they write the same questions in different ways to try and trip you up in all honesty, either that or it's just the answers that are the same.

Mara69

nightsky224 wrote: »

My point is that sending out unclear, lengthy forms like this out of the blue is stressful for people. The form is complicated and often people try to complete these with out support and wrongly loose their DLA/don't get in the first place and suffer because of it.

So would you rather they sent a letter advising people that they will be receiving a renewal form? Perhaps they could phone each and every applicant. Hand deliver the forms, and offer to stay and help?

There are plenty of places people can get help completing the forms and of course they are compulsory - regardless of age. I don't think the DWP can be held accountable for older people refusing to ask for help due to embarrassment.

nightsky224

Mara69 wrote: »

So would you rather they sent a letter advising people that they will be receiving a renewal form? Perhaps they could phone each and every applicant. Hand deliver the forms, and offer to stay and help?

There are plenty of places people can get help completing the forms and of course they are compulsory - regardless of age. I don't think the DWP can be held accountable for older people refusing to ask for help due to embarrassment.

My grandad didn't ask me because of embarasement.
As far as professional help he was not embarrased he was just not aware that there were organisations he should ask for help.

Many clients I know did not know they could get help. The form is lenghty and askes the same questions, and is complicated. If you receive DLA then its for a reason. Many perople on DLA struggle with day to day life. No explanation was given to my grandad as to why he had received this form after so many years of nothing so of course he is worried.

plum2002

Mara69 wrote: »

So would you rather they sent a letter advising people that they will be receiving a renewal form? Perhaps they could phone each and every applicant. Hand deliver the forms, and offer to stay and help?

There are plenty of places people can get help completing the forms and of course they are compulsory - regardless of age. I don't think the DWP can be held accountable for older people refusing to ask for help due to embarrassment.

Or maybe just a paragraph in the letter stating where people can get help? Or would that cost too much, far better that people save the government money by not claiming/claims being disallowed due to not being able to fill in the forms properly.

nightsky224

plum2002 wrote: »

Or maybe just a paragraph in the letter stating where people can get help? Or would that cost too much, far better that people save the government money by not claiming/claims being disallowed due to not being able to fill in the forms properly.

Infact yes thats a great idea, a number to ring or website to go to to find someone in your area.
And an explanation of why they are being sent the form would be nice too.