DLA renewal of appointee

simongregson

Hi,

We had communication about our son's DLA requesting that we re-appoint my wife as an appointee, as he is coming up on 16. We sent this form off in the post, months ago now and have heard nothing back.

Does the form usually get confirmed in a letter? I have tried ringing the helpline but after being on hold for over an hour twice I can't get through, it doesn't help that my son (who is autistic) doesn't like us being on the phone, so it's difficult to keep ringing.

I'd appreciate it if anyone has any information, we're obviously worried about them having not received it, and then it causing issues when he needs to apply for PIP (we would have to apply on his behalf).

pinkdon

Hi,

I have recently been made appointee for my daughter who is 16 and also autistic.  We are in Scotland so it’s maybe different but we did receive a letter confirming my status before they would discuss her case. Do you have the option for an online chat with them? I found it easier to open the chat whilst doing chores and keeping an eye on my phone, once I’d confirmed I would be acting for her it was fairly simple.

If you can’t chat online then I’d try again phoning, it does sound like they may not have received the papers - it took a couple of weeks at the most for me to be approved and receive written confirmation.

Hopefully this helps, I appreciate the process may be different but I’d be concerned if I hadn’t received the confirmation, especially if you sent it months ago.

poppy12345

You should receive confirmation in the post. Best time to ring the helpline is 9am when they open so try ringing then. 

pinkdon said:

Hi,

 Do you have the option for an online chat with them? 

There's no online chat option for PIP with DWP. 

simongregson

Thanks, I will have to try again on the phone or write to them I guess. Very poor service.

HillStreetBlues

simongregson said:

Thanks, I will have to try again on the phone or write to them I guess. Very poor service.

Try just before lines open.

poppy12345

simongregson said:

Thanks, I will have to try again on the phone or write to them I guess. Very poor service.

Try persisting with the phone because writing to them could be even worse because they may not acknowledge the letter. 

simongregson

poppy12345 said:

simongregson said:

Thanks, I will have to try again on the phone or write to them I guess. Very poor service.

Try persisting with the phone because writing to them could be even worse because they may not acknowledge the letter. 

Problem is I have tried again, several times, and they just don't answer. Even after an hour on hold. There doesn't seem to be any other way to contact them - unless anyone knows different. I am wondering if there is a formal complaint route that might stand a better chance of getting an answer. And I am at work in the day when the lines open, I am a teacher so I can't just pop off and phone someone.

Savvy_Sue

There will be a formal complaint route somewhere on the website, but if you need to take it further then I'd contact your new MP once you know who that is. They might require you to follow the complaints procedure first. 

Just looked, way down this page there is this: 

Complain about the Disability Service Centre

Contact the Department for Work and Pensions to complain about the Disability Service Centre.

simongregson

Just to update - never manged to get through on the phone but had a letter confirming the appointee in the post today, so it is just taking them a long time to process the paperwork.