DLA renewal claim

~Chameleon~

Hi

I've noticed that there appears to be quite a few people here experienced in DLA claims so I was wondering if someone could possibly set my mind at rest please

I was awarded DLA 5 years ago but it's due to expire in 3 weeks, and I was sent the renewal forms and got them filled out and sent back over 3 mths ago, but I've not heard anything since apart from a letter to say they had received my forms back and that was weeks ago now.

Does the fact that I am now so close to my expiry date and I've not been asked to see one of their own medical people, or had any sort of request for further information, indicate that I will be awarded it again successfully?

Nothing has changed in my care/mobilty needs since my last claim, if anything I'm probably slightly worse, and I have medical evidence to back it up if necc.

I'm just worried that it's getting so close to expiry date that if they turn me down or need me to go for a medicals etc the whole procedure will leave me without money in the interim. Surely the reason they ask you to reclaim 6mths beforehand is to prevent this scenario?

Gold_Shogun

Generally speaking, the longer they take to issue to decision & the closer it is to the expiry date, the more likely it is that you will receive a favourable decision, although this is never guaranteed.

This is because often overworked decision-makers have to make "snap judgements" in order to meet their workload targets.

However, in the hopefully unlikely event that you get turned down, I would certainly advise you to appeal as many people just give up & walk away at that stage, whereas (at least in this area), over 70% of appeals are decided in favour of the appellant ... Your DLA & IS, etc will be backdated in full when & if you win the appeal.

ripleyy2007

Personally, I would give them a ring. ( 0845 123 456 ). It certainly want do any harm, and if they have 'forgotten' about your claim (as if!!) then it would serve as a reminder.

One other bit of advice I'd like to suggest. IF you discover that they have denied your renewal claim immediately ask for an appeal. Dont waste time asking them to look at your claim again (they will do that automatically on appeal).

Tell them you wish to appeal and ask them to send you a form GL24, and also a "Statement of Reasons". From that you will better understand why it has been denied, and what you need to clarify to become successful.

Hopefully though, none of this will be needed, as your renewal will appear on your doormat in a sparkling brown envelope!!

Good luck

Arwen

Having been through the DLA process for family and also having colleagues that work in Welfare Rights, it is taking between 11-13 weeks to process claims.Do give them a ring though as they may be waiting for some medical evidence, and it is always helpful if you can find out what they need as you may be able to phone your GP/consultant and hurry them up a bit.

If they turn you down-then complete a GL24 and state on it * I disagree with the Decision maker because....... and submit what they didnt take account of. This may be embarrassing BUT remember sex life is a bodily function.......I had to include this in a GL24 for smeone who suffered testicular cancer. Ask the decision maker to look at it again and state you will be prepared to go to an oral hearing.If you state this, then the decision WILL be looked at properly cos they realise that they are not dealing with a numpty and sometimes you will get it without having to wait for an appeal, which can take 6 months and sometimes longer.

Good luck.

shykins

do they automatically send you out renewal forms?.... mine ends in nov this year (for some reason they only awarded it for one year)

thanks sorry to butt in btw
x

TOBRUK

Chameleon,
don't panic but do phone them to ask for progress on your claim. On the letter they send to say that they have received your claim (which in your case is .a long time ago) it states that if you haven't heard anything in 8 weeks to call them. I was in the same position as you a few months ago - I had reapplied in August and end of November I still hadn't heard anything (with expiry end of December) so I phoned them. They told me that they had a back log but were dealing with it and in my case they had sent for a report from my doctor (I had put down my GP as someone who knew my condition best) and I should hear something in a few weeeks - I had the decision early December! Give them a ring.

shykins,
Yes they do send out renewal forms automatically, you will probably get them around july.

~Chameleon~

Many thanks for the advice everyone, I'll give them a call tomorrow if I don't receive anything in the post.

My CPN is the named person to contact for more info and she tells me she's not been approached by them as yet, although she did write all about my condition on the form and also gave me a comprehensive care plan to send in with it.

Fingers crossed that at this late stage they won't require me to also go through a medical with one of their own doctors!

PS Shykins, they usually send out renewals 6mths before the claim expires so you should receive yours anytime now

dooby

I'd deffo give them a ring. It shouldn't get to the stage where there is only 3 weeks to go but for some reason it has, maybe it's been misfiled or something. When a case has 6 weeks to go they should appear on a scan and be looked at right away. Some sections are more behind than others though.

I'd advise you to ring that number above and ask to be put through to the actual section that deals with your case, that way a clerical staff can physically get hold of your case and pass it to a decision maker to be looked at.

Most people on the sections are very helpful.

Good luck.

~Chameleon~

Hi, I gave them a call this morning as I still hadn't received a letter and the lady said that my claim was still with the DM. Is this good or bad?

Starting to get a little worried about it now

dooby

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Hi, I gave them a call this morning as I still hadn't received a letter and the lady said that my claim was still with the DM. Is this good or bad?

Starting to get a little worried about it now

That could mean anything from it still sat in a rack waiting to be done to physically being on a decision makers desk to be done next.

If I were you I'd ring them back tomorrow and ask to be put through to the section that deals with your claim, they shouldn't refuse you that.

You really need to get through to the section so they can manually locate your file and pass it on to be dealt with right away. Helpline are great for giving out information but they can only see what's held on the computer screen and like I said, file with DM could mean a number of things. Get put through to the section and speak to one of the nice people who actually work in the office dealing with your claim, they'll be able to tell you more information, locate your file and pass it on to be dealt with quickly there and then.

~Chameleon~

Hi

I have finally received my award this morning, albeit a week or so late!

However, I am terribly disappointed that my rates have been drastically reduced despite the fact that my illness hasn't improved and if anything is probably slightly worse

Is there any way of appealing the decision or is that it now that it's been awarded? I know you can appeal if they turn down an award but have no idea whether you can appeal the rate they actually award you