DLA renewed until 2019?

Lou76

My DLA [Mid Care/Low Mobility] is due to end on 21/05/14.

I was surprised when I received, a couple of months ago, a DLA renewal form as I was under the impression I would be applying for PIP this year.

Anyway between the letter that came with it, and reading on here, I discovered that PIP had been delayed in most areas, for renewals, and would be rolled out next year.

I sent my renewal form off Thursday 20th March, and received a text on Monday 24th to say it had been received and I should [hopefully] hear back within 8 weeks.

Today, 29th March, I received a letter confirming I have been awarded Mid Care/Low Mobility again until 2019. ☺

Before I get too excited at the quick/painless process to renew, I'm now wondering; will this date be set in stone, or could it be subject to the PIP changes forecast for 2015?

I can't see anything on the letter to say it will, but I can't help feeling there must be a catch...

Many thanks.

easy

Well, they are saying that EVERYONE on DLA will be called for re-assessment and moved over to PIP eventually.

But the numbers are huge, and my guess is that when they do start calling in those already on DLA, they'll call in those on indefinite awards who haven't been assessed for some time first - at least that's what I would do (I fall into that category, got an indefinite award 10 years ago, haven't been questioned about it in any way since). It may well take them 4 years to get far enough through the list for your turn to come.

But of course the 'powers that be' never do seem to operate within reason ...

So, you could be called back in before 2019 - but you might not.

Whatever, it really isn't worth worrying about, just live your life normally until a letter arrives, and certainly don't go fretting about something that might happen, and that you can't change if it does. .

Indie_Kid

In theory, they can write to you at any time to check whether you're getting the right level of benefit.

I think they'll start calling those in whose DLA is due to end sooner.

nannytone_2

i agree with indie.
i read somewhere that those with indefinate awards will be the last to be transferred and that they will change people over as they come up for renewal, with other people being called in earlier when there is space

janesboat

easy wrote: »

my guess is that when they do start calling in those already on DLA, they'll call in those on indefinite awards who haven't been assessed for some time first - at least that's what I would do

As far as I'm aware, Lifetime and indefinate Awards will be last to be called in for Re-assessment for Pip.

Lou76

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated.

I think after all the stress/anticipation, leading up to the renewal (even although I know I can provide proof of my symptoms, care needs etc and that I haven't improved since last time) it's difficult to believe it could be this straight forward - especially with the ongoing changes to benefits. ☺

As my Brother says; I worry if I don't have anything to worry about. 😄

kpj12

i got indefinely period on dla last week isit the same as indefinie award

Parva

kpj12 wrote: »

i got indefinely period on dla last week isit the same as indefinie award

It's 'indefinite' until they decide it no longer is indefinite. Regardless of what your paperwork says, there is no such thing as 'indefinite'.

Richie-from-the-Boro

C'mon folks - Its cropped up thousands of times in this group. Indefinite means :

- 'lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time'

- as in .. .. unknown, indeterminate, unspecified, unlimited, unrestricted, undecided, undetermined, undefined, unfixed, unsettled, unresolved, uncertain

- look it up !

There is no need at this time for the DWP to change the word it has used since the early 80's as the statutory law and subsequent case law has not changed .. .. yet. I think Lou76 should be pleased his award remains unchanged and the immediate stress is over for the time being. 18 months ago the PIP transition was predicted as a pilot followed by double-quick process to PIP. The IT problems, budget writeoffs, whistle blowing, contracting issues and the wonder that is IDS management style created the chaos that means that decisions were made in only 16% of the PIP cases and the backlog [average wait average 107 days] of 92,00 cases means the expected savings are now gone - and that before the appeals are even heard and the indefinite future remains .. .. er .. .. indefinite !

Morglin

Many welfare rights group think that indefinites, particularly those with a condition/s proven, and not likely to improve, will be the last to be called.

There are also some theories that low rate awards will be reassessed first, then medium, and then high, as the government seem to think that most potential savings with PIP will be at the lower end of current DLA awards. (Trying to remove them altogether, I would think).

But, as others have said, the whole thing is in chaos, and no one really knows what will happen.

Lin :doh:

easy

Well, I've learnt one thing from this thread - It seems pretty likely that it'll be quite a long time before my case comes up for re-assessment, so I WILL renew my motability car come the summer.

I was wondering whether to make other arrangements, but I'll stick with it for the time-being. If I'm going to be another year or (possibly) more, it'll be worth-while for me.

As I said before, I refuse to fret about it (altho I do have a 'plan B' in mind if it all goes against me when the re-assessment does come). Worrying about an absolutely unknown situation doesn't help at all.