Considering request to have DLA looked at again.

sheeps68

I am considering having my DLA claim looked at again. I'm currently on high mobility and low care. I was told the entire claim would be looked at although it's only really my care needs that have changed. Mobility has further deteriorated but irrelevant as already on high rate there. I am still in an area getting DLA and not PIP and now have the hefty forms to be sure of this.

When I get the for there is a section that states "You do not have to answer questions 25 - 36 if you do not want to claim for help getting around outdoors, or you have claimed for help getting around outdoors and nothing has changed"

So it looks like I do not fill in this section as nothing has changed and they won't look at the mobility component after all. Anyone else had experience of this?

Now it is my care needs that have changed and looking to try to up my rate to middle. I do not think I qualify for high rate as do not need help all the time. My needs are mainly respiratory as get puffed and out of breath completing the most basic tasks now. Before it was small amounts of help with meals and occasional shower if unwell. Now that is all the time.

Anyone any idea of claiming for increased care needs and the levels currently needed to move between levels?

I won't waste my energy and go through the stress of doing forms and collating evidence if not fairly sure of a good chance of increased level.

Indie_Kid

They will look at the whole award again. So they may assume that if you don't fill in the mobility part, that you have no mobility needs.

The jump from low to mid rate care is huge. I was borderline for years and got award mid rate care and was told by the tribunal that I just about meet the criteria.

sheeps68

Indie_Kid wrote: »

They will look at the whole award again. So they may assume that if you don't fill in the mobility part, that you have no mobility needs.
/QUOTE]

I was thinking of putting the nothing has changed comment and highlighting it and putting that in every single box in that section. That way I am answering there question. Also doing what form states.

Also planning on putting some mobility stuff in the final anything else you want to tell us box.

poppy12345

sheeps68 wrote: »

Indie_Kid wrote: »

They will look at the whole award again. So they may assume that if you don't fill in the mobility part, that you have no mobility needs.
/QUOTE]

I was thinking of putting the nothing has changed comment and highlighting it and putting that in every single box in that section. That way I am answering there question. Also doing what form states.

Also planning on putting some mobility stuff in the final anything else you want to tell us box.

You need to fill the whole form in exactly the same way you did the last time you applied because they look at the whole thing. Just putting in "nothing has changed" won't help you.

Indie_Kid

Agreed. When I was looking at having my care changed, I filled in the mobility part too. My mobility had chnaged; but my award would still be the same.

sheeps68

Its odd they put that comment on form "You do not have to answer questions 25 - 36 if you do not want to claim for help getting around outdoors, or you have claimed for help getting around outdoors and nothing has changed" and then still want you to fill it in. As surely thats a contradiction.

I have actually already drafted the responses for those questions as didn't notice it at first.

GlasweJen

When I had my mobility looked at I didn't fill out the care section. I wrote in the notes at the end"as per telephone call on (date) at (time) with (advisor) my care needs have not changed and so I have not answered the care related questions.

No one queried it and I got moved from low to high mobility.

SandraScarlett

I think it is far better to err on the side of caution and complete everything, with as much detail as possible. I know, from personal experience, and helping others, that form filling is a very time consuming process.


But there is an awful lot of money at stake, and if, because of the bad press that has been given to some DLA/PIP claimants, it means spending longer, and dotting every "I", and repeating yourself, that's the way it must be.


I wish you success.


xx

sheeps68

Am certainly taking my time with it and will wait until I get the medical evidence to put with it as that really illustrates things as currently going through ill health retirement. The reports for that will not be pretty. Would rather wait and have all the evidence even if it delays my form going back and I lose out on some money. I want to make sure I have everything there at once in hope of avoiding the stress of any appeal.

My issue at present is showing how much care I need at present and have done since beginning of the year. Then of course knowing if its enough to tip it from low rate care up a level. I've got a word document with all the questions and keep adding to it as I think of issues.