DLA telephone review - mid award.

housebuyer143

I have today received a letter from dla saying they are reviewing my son's award. It runs till he's 12 and I've still got 3 years left. Why would they be reviewing it? 

It seems like it's mandatory so does anyone know what they will be talking about? I don't feel comfortable going through it over the phone because I don't express myself well verbally and I don't remember what I put on the form 5 years ago. 

Northern_Wanderer

If you honestly answer the questions they ask you in the review then they will ensure that your son is getting the correct level of award. They will ask questions about your sons care needs, like those that are assessed in an application for DLA.

housebuyer143

Northern_Wanderer said:

If you honestly answer the questions they ask you in the review then they will ensure that your son is getting the correct level of award. They will ask questions about your sons care needs, like those that are assessed in an application for DLA.

Thanks. I would prefer to just be made to do the form again to be honest with you. 
The problem is the date they've given me first day of the school holidays and I don't have any child care so I have to ring them and see if they can rearrange it for a day when my husband is home. 

I'll probably fill out the DLA forms before they call and make sure I have all the information down written so I can refer to it. I don't do well thinking on top of my head.

I have no doubt in my mind my son is on the right award but potentially should be on higher so I will be bloody surprised if I lose it.

Rubyroobs

Seems very odd not sending you a form first and conducting a review when you haven't reported a change in circumstances. The letter reads like they think something has changed? 

housebuyer143

Rubyroobs said:

Seems very odd not sending you a form first and conducting a review when you haven't reported a change in circumstances. The letter reads like they think something has changed? 

I know, that's what's wierd. Nothing has changed and I haven't called them in 5 years. If anything my son should get higher - he's definitely not going to lose medium. 
I just didn't expect them to do a review part way through the claim. I thought I didn't have to worry until 2028.

QrizB

Just FYI we can still see J's name at the start of the second line of the letter.

You've blocked it out elsewhere.

housebuyer143

QrizB said:

Just FYI we can still see J's name at the start of the second line of the letter.

You've blocked it out elsewhere.

Thanks, they wrote his name a lot 🤣 it's alright, there are a lot of James' in the world.

KxMx

It's the DWP Performance Measurement Team, who undertake these checks at random. 

housebuyer143

KxMx said:

It's the DWP Performance Measurement Team, who undertake these checks at random. 

Yes I know that, but what are the checks for. Call me sceptical but I don't trust DWP at all. Any "random review" sounds like an excuse to try and take your claim off you.

TELLIT01

housebuyer143 said:

I have no doubt in my mind my son is on the right award but potentially should be on higher so I will be bloody surprised if I lose it.

On that basis alone surely it's worth going through the process.  Contact them, or better still get your husband to call on your behalf, and say you have problems hearing on the phone and need to arrange a date when your husband will be home.

housebuyer143

TELLIT01 said:

housebuyer143 said:

I have no doubt in my mind my son is on the right award but potentially should be on higher so I will be bloody surprised if I lose it.

On that basis alone surely it's worth going through the process.  Contact them, or better still get your husband to call on your behalf, and say you have problems hearing on the phone and need to arrange a date when your husband will be home.

Yes, I know but I didn't want to rock the boat and mess with my claim. I considered doing a COS a few months ago for higher but decided against it. I guess now I have to chance to mention his higher care needs. 
I still don't like the uncertainty though 😑😕 and their really vague letters.