DLA Rejected. What do I do?

Jannie_2

I am in desperate need of some help and guidance.

I have had a rough twelve months. Firstly, this time last year I was diagnosed, again, with depression and put on meds.

Last October, I had a blackout and ended up in hospital with a smashed up head for a week. From that they carried out tests which indicated that I need a pacemaker fitting. I am still having exploratory tests to determine this.

In April, I had another blackout and was diagnosed with epilepsy. I am on meds and have lost my driving licence. I cannot be left on my own and have full blown tonic clonic seizures regularly.

I decided to apply for DLA and filled out the form online on 11th May. Last week I received a letter from them stating that I am not entitled to any payments.

The letter states that they have taken into consideration the details in my claim pack and also a report from my GP.

I have spoken to my GP and he knows nothing about it - both the report supposedly given to the DLA and also any of my treatment which is being carried out by various consultants in my area.

I have today spoken to the DLA and the woman has advised me to write in stating that I disagree with the decision and to list why I disagree. That seems straight forward enough but then she read out what conclusion they had made from my claim pack.

It stated that I hadn't had any seizures since starting my meds; I can cope fine on my own and don't need any help; I can travel without assistance; I have no side effects from the meds; etc; etc; etc.

All of this is untrue!!!

What do I do? Where do I start? Who do I get help from? I thought I had done a mighty fine job of filling the claim pack in - stating all the facts etc. How wrong could I be????

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,

Thanks Jan x

cattie

Put in an appeal double quick, your dla documents should tell you the form you need to ask for to do this. Put on the form that no medical evidence was sought by them before making decision. Your claim will be looked at again before appeal & you may well be lucky & get an award without it going to appeal.
Next find yourself an experienced welfare rights advisor to help with your appeal. Ask at the hospital if they have a welfare rights worker who can help. Or phone your local council who may be able to direct you to one in your locality. Another good source of help would be MIND as you suffer from depression, they usually have an advocate worker for such things.

Gain as much medical evidence as you can to support your appeal.

Good luck

wolfehouse

you need to appeal- it helps to appear personally and get representation if you can.
epilepsy action has a free helpline and some useful information on its website (here towards the bottom of the page)

http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/benefits.html

Kimitatsu

Firstly are you claiming any other benefits?

If you are you may be entitled to free legal help from your local CAB. Many CABx have a legal services commission advisor whose job it is is to ensure that you are represented at such appeals.

Call them tomorrow and see if you can find out who it is (local job centre will also be able to tell you!) and then take everything into them, the letter, proof of income, any medical reports you have had etc. They will then take it from there for you. You only have 28 days from the date of the letter to appeal so please do it ASAP.

fos

Appeal and dont give up, go to a tribunal if necessary, they want you to throw in the towel , thats their tactics. Make sure though that you go to CAB and get some help , they know how to word things. It took me a year but with the help of CAB I won the day after initialy filling in the forms myself. Best of luck. By the way , i had it all backdated.

Morglin

This firm may be able to give you the details of a local Welfare Rights worker, if the CAB cannot help:

http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/index.jsp

This site explains the appeal procedure, and tribunals:

http://www.appeals-service.gov.uk/

Always appeal - before it goes to tribunal they will look at your claim again (another DM will do this).

Lin