We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Renewal of AA award.
Comments
-
A relative of mine had her application turned down. When I asked for a written explanation they called back to say they had checked the decision in was correct. When I said I still wanted a written explanation of the reasons they said it would make no difference. When I said that I still wanted a written explanation they rang back and apologised that they had made a mistake. They had approved the application but entered the wrong code that sent a rejection letter.
Its always worth asking for a written explanation of the reasons, beyond the standard reply of "because you do not qualify".Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
A relative of mine had her application turned down. When I asked for a written explanation they called back to say they had checked the decision in was correct. When I said I still wanted a written explanation of the reasons they said it would make no difference. When I said that I still wanted a written explanation they rang back and apologised that they had made a mistake. They had approved the application but entered the wrong code that sent a rejection letter.
Its always worth asking for a written explanation of the reasons, beyond the standard reply of "because you do not qualify".
My MIL received a letter refusing her application. Is this what you mean by a written explanation? I am going to attempt to get them to reconsider, but not feeling very hopeful.Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0 -
My MIL received a letter refusing her application. Is this what you mean by a written explanation? I am going to attempt to get them to reconsider, but not feeling very hopeful.
More and more AA claimant's seem to be rejected now than ever before. From what I remember of the historical figures - a few years back first time AA applicants were given an 82% chance of getting an award. Now it seems to have dropped to just over 40%.
Maybe the real skivers and scroungers aren't the JSA/ESA claimants, but the OAP's (over 65's) and that they are now being weeded out?
To be truthful I have to say that I do see a lot more of these scooters around and about being used by people in the age group 65+ that I wouldn't class as having substantial care needs.
Anyhow in the old lady's case I am looking at, a report to her MP and a chat with her SW/OT next week is the most that she has allowed me to do.
Appeals/explanation of reason is going down a route she doesn't want to go.
Logic dictates that no DM worth his/her salt can come up with a different decision on a reconsideration using the same evidence and facts - if they do, then somebody must be wrong or unable to do their job properly.0 -
My MIL received a letter refusing her application. Is this what you mean by a written explanation? I am going to attempt to get them to reconsider, but not feeling very hopeful.
As I recall the refusal letter was quite unhelpful along the lines of..... We have considered your application and decided that you do not qualify because your disabilities do not meet the criteria defined in the regulatory guidance. If you need further explanation please request it.
My point is that it does not say you do not qualify because, for example, ..... in our assessment you are capable of preparing your own meals or are capable of climbing stairs with your arthritis.
So in effect they tell you nothing specific that you can challenge. I do not know what you get at the next stage if you ask them to explain but I assume they go back to the file and explain their reasons more specifically. But my relative never got to that stage because they clearly looked at the file and saw they had made a mistake.Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
Logic dictates that no DM worth his/her salt can come up with a different decision on a reconsideration using the same evidence and facts - if they do, then somebody must be wrong or unable to do their job properly.
Logic does not dictate this! As I quoted above, mistakes can happen.
I will never know but its also possible that querying the original decision gets it referred to a more senior decision maker who then questions if the correct decision was made.
Decisions of this kind are not an exact science and however much training people get some are harsher than others in their decisions particularly when judging people's difficulty in doing something. Its fairly easy to conclude that someone with one arm will have difficulty preparing a meal for themselves, but assessing the impact of arthritis on the same task needs more judgement.Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
Logic does not dictate this! As I quoted above, mistakes can happen.
I will never know but its also possible that querying the original decision gets it referred to a more senior decision maker who then questions if the correct decision was made.
Decisions of this kind are not an exact science and however much training people get some are harsher than others in their decisions particularly when judging people's difficulty in doing something. Its fairly easy to conclude that someone with one arm will have difficulty preparing a meal for themselves, but assessing the impact of arthritis on the same task needs more judgement.
yes I have been following your story.
But I would imagine that mistakes of this nature will be very rare.
Maybe you are right and the decision should have been reviewed even just by making a telephone call.
But in the case I am looking at, the time limit of 1 month has now passed (it expired on the 5th September) which now precludes taking any further action.
Something to remember if she decides to make another claim at a future date and if she fails that one.0 -
When I phoned DWP initially to enquire about a reconsideration they said they would have to send MIL a consent form to sign and return, to enable me to act on her behalf.
After waiting 3 weeks she still hadn't received it, so I phoned again and they re-sent it. She phoned me this afternoon very confused saying she had received another four page letter asking her to say why she did not agree with their decision.
Anyway I asked her if there was any place on it for her to sign and told her to sign it and send it to me.
We are well over the time limit now, but apparently as the reconsideration was requested within the limit, it should be OK.
I was told that I could do a reconsideration over the telephone once they had my MIL's consent for me to act on her behalf.
So what do you think? Is it better to talk to them or write to them?Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454K Spending & Discounts
- 244.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.3K Life & Family
- 258.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards