DLA ATOS Home Visit - update, a sad outcome

d123

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Well these are my sentiments too, but as I've said, I can understand if her HRM was refused, but to cancel everything else as well?

Also, I offer to help on form filling and letter writing, but I can only go by the facts I'm given. Mind you, I'm seriously thinking of asking anyone else who requests my help, if they scould seek advice from the CAB first!

xx

xx

But then you gave her good advice and wrote a good application to get HRC and LRM, it's a pity greed (seems like a horrible word, but can't think of another) caused her to push for more than she should have. Unfortunately asking for a reassessment is exactly that, a complete reassessment of the whole application.

Hopefully she has some success in getting back what she is entitled to and doesn't push her luck again for more than that.

SandraScarlett

d123 wrote: »

But then you gave her good advice and wrote a good application to get HRC and LRM, it's a pity greed (seems like a horrible word, but can't think of another) caused her to push for more than she should have. Unfortunately asking for a reassessment is exactly that, a complete reassessment of the whole application.

Hopefully she has some success in getting back what she is entitled to and doesn't push her luck again for more than that.

I think "greed" may well be right, but then I think "entitlement" may also be applicable. I'm hoping that perhaps by April, she'll have some of it reinstated. If not, I'm preparing myself for being asked to help with Attendance Allowance forms, the day after her 65th birthday!

xx

helentay_2

SandraScarlett wrote: »

This is dreadful, and I think a similar thing has happened with Marion, who can't grip a knife to prepare food, and yet part of one of the letters say "you can prepare a meal for yourself".

Her forms have been pointing out for years that she can't, and the ATOS doctor specifically asked about this. Her husband said that he cooks and cuts up all her food. I think her worst problem at the moment, is that her DLA, due in her account this week, won't be there.

xx

This is simply the case of the assessor whilst accepting what he does for her could easilly be solved with the purchase of specially designed and easilly obtainable aids.
The DM would then assess her as using this equipment even if she doesn't have it.

helentay_2

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I think "greed" may well be right, but then I think "entitlement" may also be applicable. I'm hoping that perhaps by April, she'll have some of it reinstated. If not, I'm preparing myself for being asked to help with Attendance Allowance forms, the day after her 65th birthday!

xx

Be aware that 'youngsters' that are claiming AA for the first time shortly after their 65th birthday are given a 'harder' time than if they were in the 70's/80's.
A comment that was made to us a few(4) years ago when the local Welfare Rights chappie from the council helped mum with her AA claim.

d123

I would also suggest having a further chat with her and get her to realise that finding walking a little difficult no longer means HRM (is there a suggestion of wanting a Motability car driving the desire?).

The fact she walks to her car, and presumably walks from where she parks the car to where she is going would seemingly preclude HRM under the new guidelines.

She needs to be made aware that trying for more than she is actually entitled to is going to weaken her case for what she actually is entitled to.

Unfortunately the Genie is out of the bottle, and it's going to be a long hard slog to appeal and end up at tribunal now.

seven-day-weekend

It must be awful to have intimate care from your spouse, and for them to have to give it, how demoralising for both parties. It would become (imo) more of a parent-child relationship than lovers and partners.

Anyway, that is beside the point. It appears that the OP's friend has been greedy, and as a result of that the powers that be have judged that with the correct aids, she can manage to do various things. As someone above has said, if she can walk to the car and then walk from it, then that does not justify increased DLA for mobility.

I applaud SS for helping her friend and hope that the correct award is given soon.

easy

I have to say that I find the comments suggesting that SandraScarlett's friend is being "greedy" are , at the very least, very unkind - indeed spiteful, and they are unhelpful.

Obviously, when her award was renewed last year, she perceived that the award of LRM didn't reflect the added difficulty she was having with her mobility. Her mobility had declined since her original award, that was stated in the opening post of this thread.

If you look at the DLA rates page on the direct.gov.uk website it says -


Lower £20.55 Guidance or supervision outdoors
Higher £54.05 You have any other, more severe,
walking difficulty

And from that type of information, the lady concerned can be forgiven for believing that she was rightly entitled to the higher rate.
I accept that more detailed information is available, but that is enclosed in the very large document which is sent with the application forms. From what I remember, it is also written in a form of English which is not easily understood by those who maybe don't have a high standard of education - which is why so many people need help with the forms.

So please stop accusing this lady - who none of you know - of greed. I think she is just a lady struggling as she gets older, and looking to tap into whatever sources of help she can get.


And while I'm about it, can I respond to oldhand who said

Sandrascarlett,you sound like the sort of friend everyone should have

Absolutely, but more importantly, the sort of friend we should all try to be !!

helentay_2

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

It must be awful to have intimate care from your spouse, and for them to have to give it, how demoralising for both parties. It would become (imo) more of a parent-child relationship than lovers and partners.

.

I would disagree with you on this one point and yes, I'm sorry if this post moves slightly away from the original post.

Since when has it become acceptable for husband and wife not to care for each other?

I see that you are a Christian and as such you believe in the promises that were made during a marriage ceremony.

No where does it say that you will care for someone, but only if they want to!

Simply by caring for each other no matter what that entails demonstrates what the level of love is that they have for each other. If my mum or dad had to wipe and clean each others backside they would do it (a) because they love each other and (b) they promised each other that through sickness and health they would do so.

seven-day-weekend

helentay wrote: »

I would disagree with you on this one point and yes, I'm sorry if this post moves slightly away from the original post.

Since when has it become acceptable for husband and wife not to care for each other?

I see that you are a Christian and as such you believe in the promises that were made during a marriage ceremony.

No where does it say that you will care for someone, but only if they want to!

Simply by caring for each other no matter what that entails demonstrates what the level of love is that they have for each other. If my mum or dad had to wipe and clean each others backside they would do it (a) because they love each other and (b) they promised each other that through sickness and health they would do so.

Of course I believe that people should care for each other, and I would do it if I had to.

Doesn't mean it is not demoralising for both parties. I would hate it if my husband had to do this for me and I know he would hate it if I had to do it for him. I'd rather pay a carer to do it for me.

I did say this was my opinion. I am not saying everyone to feel this way, but I'm sure there are others that do.

SandraScarlett

Well having returned from meeting with my friend, her daughter and the mutual friend, I think that everyone's learned from this experience.

My friend has learned that even if you think you're "entitled" (I can't stand that word!), to more benefits, the goal posts may have moved and, if you query it, you risking losing what you have already

My friend's daughter has learned that her Mum is struggling more than she thought, both physically and financially

The mutual friend has learned that it would be prudent to join MSE

And I have learned that 2 slices of home-made chocolate cake (made by the friend's daughter) taste even nicer than one! :rotfl:

xx