DLA renewal - supporting reports.

olias

Hi all, am currently assisting my wife with her DLA renewal forms, but am struggling with supporting reports, which I know are very important.
My wife has the following problems:

Physical - degenaritive disc disease - had micro distectomy about 15 years ago and has had two lots of injections into her spine since and other than that takes a painkiller prescribed by her GP and/or over the counter pain killers.
- Joint hypermobility - saw a specialist several years ago who diagnosed her and arranged some physio, but other than that she deals with it again by painkillers prescribed by GP or over the counter medication

Mental (these are her main issues) - Borderline personality disorder and Bipolar disorder. She has a Psychiatrist, CPN and has in the past had support workers and a Psychologist.

This is where the problem lies as her previous support worker has left, she no longer sees the Psychologist. She has not seen the Psychiatrist for about 6 months, and she has been allocated several CPNs in the last couple of years - they have variously left, retired, or gone on long term sick. Her current CPN has only seen her once and so does not know her and I doubt would be able or willing to write a report.

The forms do mention that a report can be included from a carer. I am her full time carer and claim carers allowance. Can I submit a reort? or would it not be seen as worth anything as I would not be seen as impartial or a 'professional'?

We do have a recent GP report, but this was aimed at her ESA claim and refers mainly to the relevant ESA descriptors, so does not really cover the care and mobility issues.

Sorry for the long post, but does anyone have any comments/suggestions. thanks

Olias

cattie

Usually on the form it will ask you to fill out details of any medical personel who DWP can contact for more info & I see no reason not to include details of cpn & psychiatrist as her mental health history will be available to them on their computer file. Also as the info from previous cpn's will be on computer file, I would be inclined to ask your wife's current cpn to at least write a short letter in support of her DLA claim for you to include with the form.

There is no reason whatsoever why you as her main carer should not fill out a report. You will know how she is on a day to day basis, better than anybody else. As far as reports etc go, every bit of evidence is important & far better to have too many reports and information included than not enough.

scottishbargainhunter_2

I'd agree that you should put in a report and also request current medical staff to add in any reports that you can get. If you have respite or additional carers or support, I'd get those to do one too.

Bryando

Hi their,

I am currently going through the tribunal system in regards to DLA. My last two claims for DLA were approved with no letter from a Psychiatrist. My carer provided a detailed account. Could you not get the GP to confirm the diagnosis? O.. Borderline Personality Disorder is renamed, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. Just incase you see that and wonder. Borderline was looked upon as misleading, more stigma.