Best source of medical information as support for DLA

luminated

I am in the middle of my DLA renewal & in the past have used the printable pdf leaflets on Patient.co.uk but wonder if there were another credible source. Credible in the eyes of the decision makers?

rogerblack

In general, general information about your condition will be ignored.
For example - an information leaflet about asthma isn't really relevant because the condition is so variable, from people who can run marathons and have well controlled asthma to those who get dragged to hospital after they turn blue, despite any medication several times a month.

Having said that.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/medical-conditions/a-z-of-medical-conditions/
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byType&type=2&status=3

Non-medical information from people who know you and have seen your condition is also valuable.
You never get DLA because of specific conditions, only because of the way the condition affects you. This is why it needs to be a personal application, rather than just printing off leaflets.

luminated

Thanks Roger

My mantra has been "It is for the care & mobility needs arising from my health conditions" but in my first DLA claim the medical advisor to the DWP said one of my conditions would not affect my being able to walk but it totally stops me from walking & sees me in my NHS electric motor powered wheelchair. So I feel it is easier to put a bit of information hoping the DM will take a look.

I have three separate medical conditions that each would stop me walking one of which is very long standing chronic & severe ME/CFS all of which my GP supports me with a prognosis none (of the three conditions) will get better & the main one could get worse.

Again thanks for the links :T

TOBRUK

luminated wrote: »

Thanks Roger
I have three separate medical conditions that each would stop me walking one of which is very long standing chronic & severe ME/CFS all of which my GP supports me with a prognosis none (of the three conditions) will get better & the main one could get worse.

Hi luminated, Rogerblack has given you the best advice you could ask for especially a he stated:

You never get DLA because of specific conditions, only because of the way the condition affects you. This is why it needs to be a personal application, rather than just printing off leaflets.

As Roger says, it is pointless sending them printed leaflets on different illnesses and conditions as there are different degrees of illness and it affects people differently.

You say that your GP is supportive - if you haven't done so you should speak to your GP and let him/her know that you are applying for DLA (as they more often than not contact your GP for a report) and explain the situation. Ask your GP for a supporting letter of how your illness affects you and not just write what illnesses you have.

I too suffer with M.E. and is one of my conditions. If you have been diagnosed with M.E. ask the specialist who made the diagnosis to write a letter of support. If you no longer see the specialist or attend their clinic write to them to request a report. You will obviously have letters of appointments, dates you attended and when you received diagnosis etc.

Give examples of the difficulties you have with everyday tasks, any adaptations you have made to your house to make life easier and any help you receive.

rogerblack

Get your records from whowever issues a powerchair.
Nhs powerchairs are not cheap - and are not given away like smarties.
This will be a powerful argument that you are at least compromised on mobility, and cannot mobilise using an unpowered chair.

luminated

Thanks very much to both of you guys - all really good advice. It's a !!!!!! when genuine folks (me) get so stressed about DLA renewal. Even my GP told me yesterday that there is no doubt I should have no problems because of my problems & resultant care/mobility needs. He is providing by the end of next week a letter of support & when the DWP send their form he will ask me in to go through it so I can't ask for more.

I have plenty of stuff from the past year including four separate hospital departments & consultants but David Cameron's words resonate through my brain "We're all in it together" :eek:

TOBRUK

Glad that your GP is supportive. When you do see him to go through the form they send him make sure that you explain to him what they look for - not what the illness/condition is but how you are affected by the illness, and the difficulties you face.

It is stressful to anyone re-applying, being reassessed for DLA or dealing with ESA re-assessment when you are so unwell and just trying to get through everyday as it comes!

I have just this week received a letter and form for re-assessment ESA and it is less than 5 months since I received a reconsideration (after I appealed) placing me in the support group! Try not to worry (easily said I know) we all get a little stressed when we have to deal with these matters!

It is like being on a treadmill and you can't get off it or stop it - never ending! I am trying to get into opening the ESA form I have received (yet again) and start the process once more!

Good luck.

luminated

Thanks again Torbruk & the very best of luck to you in your equally stressful task :beer:. I am just so grateful that my brain is able (in patches) to work well enough to get me through the obstacles but God help those who are not that fortunate.