Disability Living Allowence - Change of Circimstances

Christopherj_2

Hi everyone,

I am currently in receipt of both the lower rate of disability living allowence (care & mobility). About two weeks ago, I filled in an application form for change of circimstances, to try and have my allowence increased. After I had sent in the application form and once they had received it, the advisor on the phone informed me that my disability living allowence claim could increase, decrease or stop alltogether.

I have been in receipt of disability living allowence for 8 years now and I was wondering if anyone has experienced a halt in their claim, just becuase you wanted to try and increase the amount you get.

I am currently in receipt of job seekers allowence, council tax benefit, hosuing beneift and disability living allowence.

I was told it could take upto 11 weeks for my claim to process. I don't want them to ask me to go for a medical examantion as I did this for my incapacity benefit, which they stopped completly afterwards. The doctor there was useless. How do they know you are unable to work after asking a few questions!

Any advice would be apprechiated.

Regards,

Christopher.

mouseymousey99

Hello Christopher, Welcome to the board. When you ask for an increase what you are actually doing is asking them to look at all your circumstances - thats the way it works - if you ask for another component they look at your existing component. You say you have already posted your application?
If so all you can do is wait...
You need as much evidence as you can - reports from physio's, GP's, etc all help to back up your claim.
As for the medical, if you are asked to attend - their are lots of threads re this on the board. If you go and tell the truth (you can take someone with you) its my opinon you have nothing to fear.
Best wishes

Penny-Pincher!!

Did you send in relevant proof to prove that your disability has become worse? Any letters from your GP, OT, hospital consultants etc can be sent in to them to re-consider an award.

They will look at your claim as a new claim and look at all the info and medical data and will make their decision based on that. It has been known for them to lower a current decision or stop it all together, but if you have sent in proof to back up your reasons why your DLA should be increased, you should be ok.

Hope it goes well for you.

PP
xx

Christopherj_2

I haven't seen my GP for a while. It didn't say they wou;d require proof. I only really sent in an application form to up my mobility. I'm happy for my care to stay at the lower rate.

A few months ago, I went through the same process. Before, I was only receiving the lower rate of mobility. After they reassesed my claim, they awarded me with care without requiring any further information.

healy

Unless your Doctor is aware of your limited mobility and will give details if/when asked for it, it would be a good idea to pay him a visit so that he does know you current situation. They may contact him or send out an a Doctor to assess your claim or both.

Christopherj_2

I sent in my application over a month ago, Royal Mail took a long time delivering it. On the application form, I stated I required some support with my care needs, such as supervision when out & about but since then, my care needs has improved and do not require as much support. Do I tell the DLA people this or just leave it?

healy

Christopherj wrote: »

I sent in my application over a month ago, Royal Mail took a long time delivering it. On the application form, I stated I required some support with my care needs, such as supervision when out & about but since then, my care needs has improved and do not require as much support. Do I tell the DLA people this or just leave it?

If your condition has improved you should inform DLA, it is one of the things they ask you to report.

Christopherj_2

Even while they are assessing my claim?

healy

Yes because the information you gave is now incorrect.

Christopherj_2

Ok, thank you.

zzzLazyDaisy

It does depend on what your care needs are, and the reason for the improvement. For example if you had MS which relapses and remits, just because you are having a good spell does not mean that you have to report the 'improvement' to DLA as the nature of the condition means that some days are worse than others and that will have been taken into account when making the award.