Claiming benefits - DLA, Mobility, Attendance Allowance - DO IT NOW!

margaretclare

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Your initial post in this thread implied you had only recently applied for AA. If so it seems that the target processing time of 40 working days is being met. Perhaps you could tell us when the form was returned so we can work out exactly how long a straightforward claim for AA is currently taking.

My claim form was dated 5th July and that's the date it is being paid from.
It says 'Your money is paid from the Tuesday after the first day that you are entitled to the allowance'. The 5th was a Tuesday so it is payable from the following day, Wednesday 6th. However they are paying me from 12th July which is the following Tuesday. About as clear as mud, however....as I didn't expect to get it anyway I'm quite happy about it.

I think other readers should read that sentence as It doesn't adversely affect other income as those on means tested benefits may find it adds a disability or severe disability premium to their means tested benefit. It may also allow someone to claim Carer's Allowance (CA) for looking after them and though this is often overlapped by other income replacement benefits it may mean that a Carer's Premium is an added extra.

Regular readers will note how easy it is to omit a qualifying word and then appear to mislead.

Sorry about this, Ted, and I remember that I took you to task for omitting a qualifying word in your post in another thread. Many apologies!

What I really meant to say was, we don't get other means-tested benefits but we do get other pensions income which is taxable, SRP and annuities.

Thanks for your good wishes!

Margaret Clare

Ted_Hutchinson

margaretclare wrote:

My claim form was dated 5th July and that's the date it is being paid from.
It says 'Your money is paid from the Tuesday after the first day that you are entitled to the allowance'. The 5th was a Tuesday so it is payable from the following day, Wednesday 6th. However they are paying me from 12th July which is the following Tuesday. About as clear as mud, however....as I didn't expect to get it anyway I'm quite happy about it.

It really was very quick they've taken longer than for Terminal rules cases which are supposed to be done ASP.

Sorry about this, Ted, and I remember that I took you to task for omitting a qualifying word in your post in another thread. Many apologies!

Don't worry I was only teasing hence the I did forget the eligible and you were right to pick it up.

What I really meant to say was, we don't get other means-tested benefits but we do get other pensions income which is taxable, SRP and annuities.

so as you've no means tested benefits there will be no knock on effect for you but others need to know they need a benefit healthcheck after getting AA or mid/high DLA.

boogiemaster

Sent off my claim for DLA and received a letter a few days ago! I filled one in before and got knocked back.
I’m a lot worse than I was before, and when I got my claim pack after speaking to the nice lady at the DHSS the letter was addressed to the manager?
I don’t know if all DLA envelopes are addressed to the manager?

Anyway I rang them up after giving them some more info and they said it’s being looked at by an adjudication officer? Or someone like that.
It can take up to ten weeks to get a reply from them they said on the phone, but they said my DLA claim was being looked at.

I just hope I get it? Otherwise its appeal time again and going to Leeds and winning my appeal again!

Ted_Hutchinson

boogiemaster wrote:

............. it’s being looked at by an adjudication officer? Or someone like that.

Decision Maker

It can take up to ten weeks to get a reply from them they said on the phone,

Most of this time is waiting for replies from your health professionals. I hope you've updated your named health professional with your current care needs and walking ability?

Otherwise its appeal time again and going to Leeds and winning my appeal again!

Good you won't be wasteing time asking for a "Reconsideration".

margaretclare

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Decision MakerMost of this time is waiting for replies from your health professionals.

I should point out that I enclosed scanned copies of letters from the orthopaedic registrar and consultant which give full details of the state of my left hip joint, shortening of leg etc. Especially the letter from the registrar to the consultant with copy to my GP and copy to me, which spells it out very clearly. Also the letter to me from the consultant telling what surgery he was proposing. Maybe that was why the response was so quick.

Margaret Clare

boogiemaster

They have all the info they need; they also told me they have a letter about what the appeal service said to me when I won the appeal.
I put in a copy of what they said on the day, if you apply for any benefits you should have no problems getting them, if you get turned down to appeal again, and even if we are not here to see you? A letter is in your file telling the new appeals to award me the benefits.
Knowing them? they will turn me down just so i willl have to wait thrree months again for an appeal.
Last time its took a few weeks to get my money back they owed me? i told them that i had won my appeal and told them to send me the money as soon as possible! There responce was , when we are good and ready?????

Zziggi

margaretclare wrote:

I should point out that I enclosed scanned copies of letters from the orthopaedic registrar and consultant which give full details of the state of my left hip joint, shortening of leg etc. Especially the letter from the registrar to the consultant with copy to my GP and copy to me, which spells it out very clearly. Also the letter to me from the consultant telling what surgery he was proposing. Maybe that was why the response was so quick.

Margaret Clare

Just a thought. 3 (Hull & district) hospitals i have been to in the last 3 weeks have had posters & leaflets saying the patient has a right to recieve copies any correspondance from their consultant. You just had to fill in a brief form and ask the receptionist at the outpatients dept. They then register you to receive copies(is this all to do with the freedom of information act?). Anyway i was just thinking.. for all those who are applying/renewing their DLA/AA, if you can get copies of this correspondance, maybe some well chosen photocopies sent with your DLA forms could support your DLA/AA claim? I'm sure Ted will respond to say whether this would be helpful or not.

Ted_Hutchinson

Providing you don't swamp the Decision Maker with unnecessary or irrelevant information they it may be useful. In Margarets case the information she supplied was directly related to her ability to stand and get about so would have supported her claim and saved the DM having to write for confirmation. However sometimes the consultants letters, while relevant to you may not give the DM the information needed to make a decision so by all means get copies to send if they are directly relevent to a firm diagnosis or help someone who doesn't know you to understand why you need help, but if on reading the letter nobody would be any wiser then don't bother with it.
I'm a bit afraid of people thinking they need a dossier of every scrap of paper that has had anything to do with their medical history. Far better just to keep it simple and put in one or two letters which summarise the situation.

Zziggi

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

I'm a bit afraid of people thinking they need a dossier of every scrap of paper that has had anything to do with their medical history. Far better just to keep it simple and put in one or two letters which summarise the situation.[/QUOTE]

Obviously selected letters may help - not all of them

I'm afraid i am one of these people who keeps a detailed dossier of all letters sent to the DSS, received from the DSS, list of all contact with the DSS (name/brief descritopn/time/reason for contact/outcome) and all medical/social services etc etc letters that could potentially at a later date help me in supporting renewal claims for DLA or other benefits.

I've had too many problems with benefits in the past so took the view that i can keep a detailed record of everything myself in case selected bits of it is useful at a future date. Nobody has to actually see it all.

I hold my hand up to being obsessive about it

nemo183

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

I'm a bit afraid of people thinking they need a dossier of every scrap of paper that has had anything to do with their medical history. Far better just to keep it simple and put in one or two letters which summarise the situation.

Baring in mind they will contact any medical referees you give directly, I'd always suggest writing to any doctor who you name on the form, enclosing a copy of your form, and a covering letter explaining why you are applying now for any additional benefit, and saying that the doctor is likely to be contacted directly by, say, DWP.

I'd also add a bit about how grateful you are for all the support your doctor has given you, and saying how much you would appreciate yet another letter from them to help you out. Paperwork like this is a real pain for any doctor, as it always needs real time to write a proper reply, and takes them away from direct patient contact - so it's always worth preparing them for what's coming, and thanking them in advance.