Disability Living Allowence - Change of Circimstances

kittykitten

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Any letters from your GP, OT, hospital consultants etc can be sent in to them to re-consider an award.

Ooh, I like you Penny, you obviously know what an OT is and the help we can give!

(In case you haven't guessed, I'm an occupational therapist who's sick of people not knowing what I do!)

In relation to the OP's questions: you have to declae any change in your care needs, even if it changes while you're awaiting re-assessment, but as Daisy quite rightly points out, if you have a condition that means you have good periods and bad periods you need to make sure this is quite clearly spelled out to the DLA people and that they assess you on the basis of the difficulties you have and the care you need when you're at your worst. Too many people declare their care needs have gotten better without mentioning this many be a temporary improvement.

Good luck,

Julie xx

Penny-Pincher!!

kittykitten wrote: »

Ooh, I like you Penny, you obviously know what an OT is and the help we can give!

(In case you haven't guessed, I'm an occupational therapist who's sick of people not knowing what I do!)

In relation to the OP's questions: you have to declae any change in your care needs, even if it changes while you're awaiting re-assessment, but as Daisy quite rightly points out, if you have a condition that means you have good periods and bad periods you need to make sure this is quite clearly spelled out to the DLA people and that they assess you on the basis of the difficulties you have and the care you need when you're at your worst. Too many people declare their care needs have gotten better without mentioning this many be a temporary improvement.

Good luck,

Julie xx

I would not be without my OT! She has helped me so much and I appreciate all the care/concern/advice she has given me. She helped me get my Stairlift approved, Bathroom made into a wet room and loads of other things.....she is a darling and always on the other end of the phone if I need her:D

You OT's do a marvelous job:T :T

PP
xx

[Deleted User]

Christopherj wrote: »

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.

It is in theory possible in such circumstances for dla to be lost,hopefully yours will increase,as for the medical you had for I/B if its within the last few months they can use that when assessing your DLA.
Its always best to get expert advice when asking the dla for change of circumstance review,and i`m afraid that you may well have to wait at least 11 weeks for your answer.
Did you not consider appealing the I/B decision?

Christopherj_2

No because i'd like to work. I was going to go onto job seekers anyway. After speaking with my girlfriend, she advised me not to contact the Disability Living Allowence regarding my improvment as she thinks they may stop my allowence alltogether.

On the application form, I stated I require alot of help whilst out & about and I require help socialising. A month has passed and my condition has improved, but I astill require help when out as I may fall or stumble.

I'm quite stuck on what to do.

Any advice?

Christopherj_2

Also, do I need to notify them if I have a newborn baby?

[Deleted User]

Firstly a newborn baby is of no concern to DLA but congrats from all of us anyway.
As for your DLA i`m getting abit confused as youve been on it for 8 years,have now decided to ask for a review,but in the couple of weeks since you sent that off things have improved?
Over the 8 years has your condition always fluctuated in this way or is this a new development?I only ask because if its always been like that then your initial award may well have taken this into account.
TBH if you are not sure how to proceed i suggest you get some help from cab or welfare rights,or try DIAL,its only really possible on forums like this to offer fairly general advice as we dont know all of your circumstances
good luck
John

Christopherj_2

I stated on the application form that I require assistance when i'm out, inase I fall/stumble and because I have concentration problems which could be dangerous when cossing roads etc. I also stated I require help when socialising. I sent in the application form about a month ago, but Royal Mail took three weeks to delivery it.

In the last three weeks, I have found I only require assistance incase I fall or stumble, not assistance to help me concentrate nor help with socialising. Although a part of my condition has improved, I do still have problems concentrating.

What do I do? Tell them?

[Deleted User]

Christopherj wrote: »

I stated on the application form that I require assistance when i'm out, inase I fall/stumble and because I have concentration problems which could be dangerous when cossing roads etc. I also stated I require help when socialising. I sent in the application form about a month ago, but Royal Mail took three weeks to delivery it.

In the last three weeks, I have found I only require assistance incase I fall or stumble, not assistance to help me concentrate nor help with socialising. Although a part of my condition has improved, I do still have problems concentrating.

What do I do? Tell them?

If you are certain these are not just temporary improvements then you must tell them things have changed

dmg24

Christopherj wrote: »

How long do DLA take to process an application?

It really depends. It could be done within a week (rare, but does happen), or it could take three months.

maytaurus

My application was first made in october 2007 and I am just at the appeal stage