Refused or Appealing DLA Decision/Post here

[trekster]

Cheers stargazer, sending it via recorded delivery on Monday.

[star gazer]

trekster, make sure you have a photocopy of the form for future reference,
goodluck
sg

[trekster]

The form only contains what my disabilities are and how often and how long i need help for, so will make a note of what i've written so i dont have to work it out again. The 10,000 words are on extra pages which im attaching.

[DeeNJai]

Make sure that you have put your national insurance number, name, date and number each page so that they dont lose it all. Good luck
Dee

[trekster]

yes ive done that cheers Dee been using the 'benefits and work' guide which sheppy kindly sent me

[everhopeful]

Okay folks time to update you on my replacement Atos medical after sending a HUGE letter of complaint and then having the National Quality Audit Manager agree with me.......

The Doc came out on Wednesday 18th of January. My friend who is a CAB advisor was with me (as usual) and it was evident from the very start that this guy really understood my conditions. I have a feeling that they could have asked around and chosen carefully after what I wrote about their services. He did not recognise the name "Pots", but when given it's full title, he commented "Yes, with connective tissue / collagen disorders you can also experience stretchy, slack veins". I was most impressed. I made it clear that so far, the process has let me down and my friend, Richard added his comments where necessary. As he left, I still did not know how things would turn out.

On friday I recieved my letter.........High rate mobility, which needed to be back dated to June last year. I was pretty shocked as I really had got to the stage where I thought I would need to go to Tribunal. The next sentance blew me away.........Indefinate (although we may ask to look at your claim again some time in the future). The weight just lifted off my shoulders as this means I don't have to go through the trauma of renewal in May, ready for a new claim from this June. After checking my bank balance, the money had gone in last friday and I spent yesterday getting a new tax disc and sending off the form to get a rebate for the tax disc I paid for (a year) in November last year. I did not get any care (cooking a meal IS dangerous) but to be honest I didn't expect High rate on the mobility, so I am happy with that and feel very humble considering I know that so many of you are still fighting.

If you have just cause to complain and it comes from the heart with the passion of believing that you need to prove to these people that we are not lying when we fill out the forms, then go for it and do it well. If literacy is not a strong subject for you, try and get help from someone who can convay what you want to say in a more direct and forcefull way. Richard and I had prepared a questionnaire for the Doc, but we didn't need to use it in the end, but tell them that you expect any replacement medical to meet your personal needs and that the Doctor must have an interest and understanding of your intricate interwoven (complicated) conditions.

Good luck and if any one wants to inbox me, I'll help if I can. I have copies of my letter and might be able to help with the odd patronising sentance here and there to get their full attention. Thinking of you all. Liz xx

[trekster]

Congrats liz on getting HRM gives me hope as ive sent off my form hoping for at least HRM (currently on LRM and MRC).

[star gazer]

fantastic news liz what a relief. For me it made a huge difference having an indefinate award and not having the stress of the continuous round of form filling. As it seems we get through one lot then the next lot pop through the letterbox, I am getting the feeling that there is more consideration to fluctuating long term chronic conditions and it would make total sense for an indefinate award in these cases with the occasional followup to check if the condition remains unchanged. I think you can apply for the care element on its own should you wish to go down that route but I'm sure your CAB friend could advise you on that, of course you might not want to rock the boat and leave it as it is.
congratulations
love star gazer

[everhopeful]

Thanks Trekster and Star Gazer.
I have been googling local cleaners this morning!
You are right about the care element. My main problem is cooking safely and I can ask my son / hubby most of the time. If they are not around,I'll resort to the microwave. So, as awards can be taken away just as quickly.....I'll stick with the HRM! It will help for Cleaning costs, hoist and scooter maintenance, batteries and insurance and from now on Tesco can deliver and my Hubby can slow down a wee bit! Liz x

[star gazer]

Liz I got my help at home through the OT adult services, they use a company that has been fully vetted and all people that come in are enhanced CRB checked, Maybe they have something similar in Cheshire, I am in Surrey. I used my mobility component to cover that it is about £10 per hour, the rest goes towards hospital travel and taxis! I decided not to rock the boat with the care element when I was awarded in Jan 2011 and when I came to renewal I went through the process of submitting all evidence etc including my diagnosis from Prof grahame with included probs with walking etc and when I sent my papers in for the middle of October I heard back that I was awarded HRM and HRC, so at some point I am sure they will ask for an update even with an indefinate award and hopefully then you will be awarded the care component.
sg

[trekster]

'Care and repair' might be able to help or a DIAL or similiar disability service with finding cleaners and also with any repairs to your house.

[trekster]

Im worried that ive sent in the physio letter recommending that i should exercise and walk more.

[ciderpig122]

Woooooo! Congrats ever hopeful!!!!!! I'm made up for you!

[zornna]

hi all and big

well I've finally got an estimated date for my appeal 1st september 2012 thats 11 months and 10 day from the date of my original application
I know that they backdate all the money if I win my case but like I've said before thats not why I am pushing it, I can manage on my esa and the child tax credits ok things are tight but i do mangage tho there is no spare cash and i could really do with some chunky cutlery , its the help that i need now that wont be back dated and I can't get because i don't recieve dla, things like having to drag my bin to the end of my drive which if i got dla the bin men would do for me its not far about 10 metres but when your hands and legs don't work properly then it may as well be 10 mile and with all the snow and ice it may as well be further, my council said that once i get dla whatever the rate they will come and take out my bins and cut my grass 3 times a year everything centres round getting dla i am so fed up of hearing the words "i'm sorry if your not in reciept of dla we can't give you any help" It makes me so cross grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[trekster]

Thats disgusting that you have to wait so long, couldn't you try and get it moved forward?