DLA Refused....help!

glossgal

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

I'm afraid I dont agree with this! If it wasnt for my GP, I wouldnt be receiving half the help I do. He was the one that suggested asking SS for help, filling in the BB form for me, getting me a wheelchair, refering me to numerous consultants etc etc. Alot of people dont like him as he tells it as it is and if he thinks there is nothing wrong with you...he will say. The supporting letter I received from him in support of my DLA claim was fantastic.

Maybe I am just very lucky, but mine honestly has been a god send.

PP
xx

Some GP's are great thankfully, but the majority arent up to speed on these issues at all IMHO. Unless you see them often or have a particularly good rapour, they will complete DWP reports with sparse information. OP said she is new to the area so the GP will know very little to comment and I was just saying that you can't blame the GP in this instance for not going the extra mile. I also dont think medical records should be sent/copied in full as decision makers want arguements presented rather than a list of medicines or appointments, bullet points as part of a letter would be better. I really would suggest professional assistance with this though, maybe a local disability group or similar as springs65 has suggested. Local councils usually have welfare rights workers or what about a national charity for your particular disability or condition?

Mrs_Supersaver_1

DBNO,

altho' you say you have recently been turned down for Dla Care/Mobility. Have you requested 'a statement of reasons' as to why you were refused? by requesting this, you usually get a further 14 days added to the 28 days that you have to appeal.

Also have you requested/downloaded a GL24 form? You need to get this form back to them pretty sharply(28 days) stating why you disagree with the decision. Please do not ask for a 'review' so few reviews are changed. When a Gl24 is returned and an appeal is requested, a more senoir Decision Maker automatically looks over your claim form again before it is sent off to appeals, if a decision can be changed, it may at this stage.

Once you have returned your Gl24, then start gathering all of your evidence for appeal, even after you receive the appeal papers, if you have further evidence this can still be forwarded on or taken on the day of appeal and handed to the clerk.

I am not a Welfare Rights Officer, but speak/advise from personal experience.

Please remember Decision Makers are non medical personal. For example normal healthy, non arthritic persons fail to understand joint pain and restrictions, carrying drinks, cutting up food or going upstairs one at a time very slowly as knees and back are so painful. Taking a long time in loo adjusting clothes etc./help with dressing.You really need to make either a long list of activities requiring help and support, and perhaps a weeks diary of pain restrictions, doctors appts, seeing physio etc. It is really really important to explain how your mobility allowance is invaluable to you, gets you to in laws/daughters, hairdressers or once a week bingo, do you follow my drift.

Good luck, and start those lists. It took me 3 times and then I won at appeal.:)
Pm me if I can help anymore.

ohreally

OP, it seems as though your council doesn't employ welfare righs officers (if they do, they're well hidden) as the only benefit info was...

"Enquiries regarding welfare benefits are directed to the Benefits Agency or the Citizen's Advice Bureau".

Penny-Pincher!!

springs65 wrote: »

Hi
I don't agree with what penny pincher says about not seeing GP, I had a brilliant report from my OT but DWP took more notice of what GP had to say

I havent said anything about NOT seeing a GP

PP
xx

BrianD

There are some very good guides for DLA and other benefits at this link http://benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides/guides_index.htm#dla
membership costs £16.50 but imo is very good value

springs65

I do appolagise penny pincher i was refering to the post from glossgal not you. Would be a good idea if you could see on screen the post you are replying to.
Sorry again

DownButNotOut_2

Mrs_Supersaver_1 wrote: »

DBNO,

altho' you say you have recently been turned down for Dla Care/Mobility. Have you requested 'a statement of reasons' as to why you were refused? by requesting this, you usually get a further 14 days added to the 28 days that you have to appeal.

Also have you requested/downloaded a GL24 form? You need to get this form back to them pretty sharply(28 days) stating why you disagree with the decision. Please do not ask for a 'review' so few reviews are changed. When a Gl24 is returned and an appeal is requested, a more senoir Decision Maker automatically looks over your claim form again before it is sent off to appeals, if a decision can be changed, it may at this stage.

Once you have returned your Gl24, then start gathering all of your evidence for appeal, even after you receive the appeal papers, if you have further evidence this can still be forwarded on or taken on the day of appeal and handed to the clerk.

I am not a Welfare Rights Officer, but speak/advise from personal experience.

Please remember Decision Makers are non medical personal. For example normal healthy, non arthritic persons fail to understand joint pain and restrictions, carrying drinks, cutting up food or going upstairs one at a time very slowly as knees and back are so painful. Taking a long time in loo adjusting clothes etc./help with dressing.You really need to make either a long list of activities requiring help and support, and perhaps a weeks diary of pain restrictions, doctors appts, seeing physio etc. It is really really important to explain how your mobility allowance is invaluable to you, gets you to in laws/daughters, hairdressers or once a week bingo, do you follow my drift.

Good luck, and start those lists. It took me 3 times and then I won at appeal.:)
Pm me if I can help anymore.

Thanks Mrs Supersaver

I rang the DLa on the day i got the letter of refusal and asked for the reasons but they referred me to my letter and read out the same things which were on there. So I assumed the 'statement of reasons' was already listed in my letter. It just goes through each item and says things like:

'The information shows you have no significant problems with getting around outdoors' and 'There is no reason why you should have any significant problems with preparing a cooked main meal for one person'.

I think it's clear they have based their decision solely on my GP report as my claim clearly states I have trouble with all these things (which is why I'm claiming in first place!)

The CAB gave me the GL24 form. I had thought I would ask for a review first but I'm rethinking this after what you've said. Especially if they can change a decision before going to the appeal this way. It's difficult to know what to do without any professional guidance, so I'm very grateful for all the free advice on here!

Thanks again for your help and advice

DownButNotOut_2

ohreally wrote: »

OP, it seems as theough your councli doesn't employ welfare righs officers (if they do, they're well hidden) as the only benefit info was...

"Enquiries regarding welfare benefits are directed to the Benefits Agency or the Citizen's Advice Bureau".

Yes, that's what I saw. I might give them a call on Monday though, just to be absolutely sure, but I don't think there's anyone within my council who can help me.

DownButNotOut_2

glossgal wrote: »

I also dont think medical records should be sent/copied in full as decision makers want arguements presented rather than a list of medicines or appointments, bullet points as part of a letter would be better. I really would suggest professional assistance with this though, maybe a local disability group or similar as springs65 has suggested. Local councils usually have welfare rights workers or what about a national charity for your particular disability or condition?

I think I'm going to do both to be on the safe side! It can't hurt to have copies of my records showing treatments and effects of my illness (which will be in the notes somewhere). I'll also go through each point stating why I disagree with what has been decided and how I need the help with care and mobility (referring a lot to my original claim). If all goes well on Monday, I will hopefully be able to submit an additional report from my GP which will be more detailed about how I am day to day. If I try and gather as much as I can then at least I'll have too much info instead of too little. That's my thinking anyway.

I agree I need some professional assistance but in my area it seems scarce! I'm desperately looking for someone in my region to speak to....the search continues.

springs65

Have a look at this www.dialuk.info see if there is anything near you that would help or you might find other links on there.