This is really a Benefitsforum topic so perhaps a Mod could move it over.
However while about half of all DLA claimants get their claims awarded without difficulty the other 50% don't.
A lot of the problems come from a failure of the claimant to understand the DLA criteria and provide evidence directly related to those criteria. Many claimants are their own worst enemy when it comes to claiming and understate their needs and overstate their ability. This is particularly the case with the Mobility Component which enables the claimant to take advantage of the Motability Car Lease scheme, where it is only the distance a claimant can walk OUTDOORS, without the support of another person and BEFORE the onset of severe discomfort.
At Benefitsnow you will see how the Department of Work and Pensions
make decisions about Disability Living Allowance
Generally speaking when someone has made a claim and not understood the criteria matters can be resolved if they take the matter to the
Appeals Service - Your Appeal When the claimant is able to explain their care needs directly to the appeal panel, rather than write it down, the panel can get a much better idea of the care needs and outdoor walking ability.
Asking for a reconsideration is almost always a waste of your time and theirs so ask to go directly to appeal. They will always conduct a reconsideration before preparing the appeal papers so you just save time by avoiding unnecessary duplication of a process.
I've pointed out that the most usual reason for failure is the claimant failing to provide appropriate evidence or disqualifying themselves by overstating their ability to walk without discomfort or understating their needs, but Doctors are as bad when it comes to not providing the details the Decision Maker needs. Many people just ring up for repeat prescriptions and claim DLA without making sure their doctor actually knows how much care they need and why. At the back of the
Free guides to claiming disability living allowance, attendance ... is a Checklist which you can use to provide them with a summary of your DLA claims to include in your medical notes and to refer to if sent a questionaire from the Decision Maker.
Getting your claim form or appeal checked by a
Welfare Rights Professional is always a good idea but if you have to wait too long you may find the appropriate disability or age concern charity are able to provide an experienced person to guide you through the process.
Edit:
anguk has made the point that for DLA (which has the mobility component) you have to be under 65 when you claim. If this retired person is 65 or over they can only claim
Attendance Allowance (AA) which doesn't have a mobility component or the equivalent of DLA low care rate.