Very Vulnerable Group and Disability Living Allowance (or lack of it)

astra948

Hi

My wife was receiving Disability Living Allowance but after a revue meeting it was stopped.   She didn't appeal the decision due to the stress of the whole situation.

She has now received a letter to say she is in a vulnerable group and should self isolated for 12 weeks.

So my question is this...  Isn't this letter contradicting the fact that her DLA was stopped.

If you are in a very vulnerable group then surely you have a disability and could claim DLA, or not have had it stopped in the first place.

Thank you.

 

poppy12345

Do you mean PIP because DLA no longer exists for those aged between 16 and state pension. Either way, no because being in that group doesn't automatically entitle you to a disability benefit.

calcotti

astra948 said: If you are in a very vulnerable group then surely you have a disability and could claim DLA, or not have had it stopped in the first place.

Her previous entitlement to disability benefit had nothing to do with coronavirus and being susceptible to coronavirus is in no way indicative of a health problem affecting someone's ability to manage their life. I have an underlying health condition which puts me in the high risk category if I catch coronavirus but my health condition currently has absolutely no impact on me whatsoever.

kingfisherblue

astra948 said:

Hi

My wife was receiving Disability Living Allowance but after a revue meeting it was stopped.   She didn't appeal the decision due to the stress of the whole situation.

She has now received a letter to say she is in a vulnerable group and should self isolated for 12 weeks.

So my question is this...  Isn't this letter contradicting the fact that her DLA was stopped.

If you are in a very vulnerable group then surely you have a disability and could claim DLA, or not have had it stopped in the first place.

Thank you.

 

DLA has now been replaced for most over 16s by PIP, although there are a few people who still receive DLA. It wouldn't be reviewed, though. It would be a new assessment for PIP. Has your wife read the descriptors? PIP is about how you are affected in relation to the descriptors, not your diagnosis. It isn't anything to do with coronavirus. There will be some people who receive enahnced PIP but do not have to shield, just as there will be some people who should shield but do not qualify for PIP. Your wife can put in a new claim if she wants to, but should read the descriptors first. She should also provide evidence of her needs in relation tot he descriptors.

Willing2Learn

Hi @astra948

Your wife should have made a mandatory consideration of the DLA decision.  That takes a few months, and if the DWP did not uphold the complaint, then that could be appealed and it would go to tribunal in front of a judge and two appropriate health professionals.


How long ago was the original decision?  When was it?


If it were me, I would repost your question in the Benefits & Tax Credits board.  Their are some very good benefit advisors over their.  You will get quality advice, guidance and support from that forum 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/benefits-tax-credits

poppy12345

Willing2Learn said:

Hi @astra948

Your wife should have made a mandatory consideration of the DLA decision. 

DLA has been replaced by PIP so it couldn't have been a DLA decision because there's no reviews of this benefit anymore.

Willing2Learn

@poppy12345

The wife could make a claim for PIP though.  And I am assuming that it can be back-dated if it can be proven that her illness prevented her from being able to make the application.  Or something along those lines.  (I am just going on a hunch as I do not know about benefits.  And besides, the word on the streets is that you are the benefits guru around these parts..)

calcotti

Willing2Learn said:... I am assuming that it can be back-dated if it can be proven that her illness prevented her from being able to make the application.  

There is no such provision for PIP.

calcotti

poppy12345 said:
DLA has been replaced by PIP so it couldn't have been a DLA decision because there's no reviews of this benefit anymore. 

Is it possible someone born before 8 April 1948 might still have a review?

poppy12345

calcotti said:

poppy12345 said:
DLA has been replaced by PIP so it couldn't have been a DLA decision because there's no reviews of this benefit anymore. 

Is it possible someone born before 8 April 1948 might still have a review?

Very unlikely.