GL questions... (intro) DLA rejected = gutted GL

[sheppeyescapee]

Benefits and Work - http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

[Superstottie]

Sorry - shouldn't abbreviate all the time, but it saves my hands! x

[GreenLantern]

Thank you both so so much, you have no idea what a help you have all been to me these past couple of days!

sheppeyescapee, thank you for that link, I've had a look on there and I can't see any sample letters? I must either not be looking properly or not looking in the right place

[sheppeyescapee]

No problem, good to be of some use - Here is the DLA appeals page on benefits and work - http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/disabi ... la-appeals

[GreenLantern]

No problem, good to be of some use - Here is the DLA appeals page on benefits and work - http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/disabi ... la-appeals

Thank you again, it said something about completing a GL24 appeal form, do I have to complete one or do I just send a letter of appeal?

Sorry for being a pain in the bum with all the questions.

[Es*]

Appeal! Oh, and welcome.

Tangential to your post, but might it be worth the HMSA (and/or just some random person) applying under the Freedom of Information Act to get the statistics about DLA (and ESA, for that matter) based on HMS and/or EDS.

[Superstottie]

I never completed the form - just sent a letter saying that I wished to appeal. As I said before you could just send a simple letter now stating just that, and follow it with extra stuff later. They will look at your claim again (a reconsideration) and will write to you and tell you if they have changed their decision or if they are putting it through to appeal.

[GreenLantern]

I never completed the form - just sent a letter saying that I wished to appeal. As I said before you could just send a simple letter now stating just that, and follow it with extra stuff later. They will look at your claim again (a reconsideration) and will write to you and tell you if they have changed their decision or if they are putting it through to appeal.

Thanks again for posting.

So would sending the letter and then following it with sending the doctors letter of support at a later date be the best thing to do? or should I wait until I get the letter of support from the doctor and then send it with a letter of appeal.

Es*, thank you for posting I am definitely going to appeal, not going to take this lying down any more!

[Superstottie]

If you can get it all together in time then maybe best to send it together - but do not leave it too late, as otherwise they will chuck it out and you will have to start over! Suppose it depends how quickly you can get your supporting stuff together, but as I said before - they will look at your claim again if you ask for an appeal, so you have a few weeks/months before they will even start the appeal process properly in which you can try to convince them they have got it wrong. Good luck! x

[trekster]

I never completed the form - just sent a letter saying that I wished to appeal. As I said before you could just send a simple letter now stating just that, and follow it with extra stuff later. They will look at your claim again (a reconsideration) and will write to you and tell you if they have changed their decision or if they are putting it through to appeal.

Thanks for the tip, I might do this to question the length of the award. Mines gone from indefinite to a 2 year award and my needs have increased with 2 fluctuating disabilities added on.

[GreenLantern]

If you can get it all together in time then maybe best to send it together - but do not leave it too late, as otherwise they will chuck it out and you will have to start over! Suppose it depends how quickly you can get your supporting stuff together, but as I said before - they will look at your claim again if you ask for an appeal, so you have a few weeks/months before they will even start the appeal process properly in which you can try to convince them they have got it wrong. Good luck! x

Thanks for posting, I went to my GP today and just as I thought they didn't contact him! do you think them not contacting him will work in my favour when I appeal?

He has agreed to do me a supporting letter and send it out so I'll get it at the latest early next week, I am going to the CAB tomorrow.

[Superstottie]

I would ring them up and ask for what information they used in their decision - and then you can write to them saying why they got it wrong! I did that as I pointed out that HMS/EDS is a condition that effects each person differently and also differently from day to day, so how could they say I don't have these problems without even asking my GP how bad I am? They only had the advice of a 'healthcare professional' who almost certainly has no knowledge of HMS and they hadn't even looked at their own guide book thingy on conditions - sorry brain gone to mush!

[GreenLantern]

I would ring them up and ask for what information they used in their decision - and then you can write to them saying why they got it wrong! I did that as I pointed out that HMS/EDS is a condition that effects each person differently and also differently from day to day, so how could they say I don't have these problems without even asking my GP how bad I am? They only had the advice of a 'healthcare professional' who almost certainly has no knowledge of HMS and they hadn't even looked at their own guide book thingy on conditions - sorry brain gone to mush!

Thank you for posting (sorry for the late reply)

I went to the CAB today and I have an appointment to see someone on Tuesday morning, they said something about Legal Aid too? I am also waiting on a letter of support from my GP which he says will be with me early next week.

I really hope I am successful this time as we are really struggling money wise, can barely afford to eat.

Thank you everyone for your help, you have no idea how much it means to me.

[trekster]

Have you tried writing a statement explaining your needs and getting people who know you to sign it?
For example if you live with your husband or children or know others that help you and could provide
a sort of witness statement would that help?

Did you photocopy the form before you sent it? Or include typed notes?

You could say 'without my DLA I would be unable to feed myself and be at risk of malnutrition' (if true)
in your appeal.

[GreenLantern]

Have you tried writing a statement explaining your needs and getting people who know you to sign it?
For example if you live with your husband or children or know others that help you and could provide
a sort of witness statement would that help?

Did you photocopy the form before you sent it? Or include typed notes?

You could say 'without my DLA I would be unable to feed myself and be at risk of malnutrition' (if true)
in your appeal.

Thanks for the tips, My partner filled in a part on the form saying what he does for me, you know a typical day in the life of type thing. If it will help I will get him to write another one.

I didn't take a photocopy of the form but the CAB did, do you think they will give me a copy?

Speaking of being unable to feed myself, I put on the form that I couldn't prepare a meal as I can not stand un supported, pick up pans or chop anything, on the decision letter they sent back they said i could prepare a meal sat down, how on earth can that happen when the oven is on the opposite side of the kitchen to the nearest bench and there isn't a seat high enough to reach the bench! if I was to get a seat high enough I would not be able to get onto and off it safely as it would be too high!