Received DLA finally - post here-don't start a new thread!

[georgie123]

I have been reading the forum for a couple of months, but never posted. Thought I would post to say that I was awarded higher rate care and mobility without a medical on first application! Was so shocked to get the letter! I used the benefits and work guides and I also had a filled out form from a friend who has arthritis. I went through each question looking at the guides and referred to the filled out form, it helped me understand the questions in a way that related to real life and helped me remember what I actually need help with. Its easy to forget that not everyone needs to sit down and have help getting dressed or putting toothpaste on the toothbrush for example, and I always forget that not everyone is in pain all the time because thats just what I'm used to. I also made sure my doctor knew about everything I need help with, I gave her the check list from the benefits and work website. I do think that unfortunately it also depends on how understanding the decision maker is. Can't wait to get my car and start my free driving lessons through motability!

[Rosie]

Hiya

I am happy to hear that you have got your award first time. I did the same a number of years ago, used the Benefits and Work website to help me fill in the DLA forms, and got an indefinite award of higher rate mobility and care without a medical. Although there is a charge ofr joining the website to have access to their guides, I do feel that it is worthwhile, particularly if you do noit have any other access to help when applying.

Rosie

[evenwen]

After re-applying in January, I have finally had a decision on my DLA and been awarded indefinite Higher mobility and Middle rate care. My care rate is lower than before despite having developed ME. I don't care though as it is just enough to get me into the part of the LHA system where i can apply for a room for a carer.

Can't believe ATOS had me held in limbo for six months. My friends have helped me through this awful time and i have been utterly reliant on them for food and care.

This makes me more than ever want to ask everyone to look at what is being done in the welfare reforms. Please let your voices be heard and fight against this before we all lose what we have had to struggle to get.

[loosebones]

I'm so pleased you finally got it - I know what a battle it's been! Relax and chill out now hun x

[Superstottie]

That's great news, I have just begun my battle with DLA after getting refused on my initial application last week, but I really hope to be posting on this thread soon. What I don't get is why are they giving indefinite awards when they are going to be changing the system and therefore having to re-assess everyone in a few years? Why not just give a 3 year award now? Is this just another sick part of the DLA system to make us think we can relax, only for them to sting us again in a few years?? Cynical you say........never!

[sheppeyescapee]

Got the call back from the DWP this morning. I've been awarded higher rate care and higher rate mobility indefinitely!! I am so freaking relieved, I have been a nervous wreck lately waiting for the decision. Letter went out in the post yesterday. I was so relieved I nearly cried at the woman on the phone

[Superstottie]

That's great news - bet you are so relieved - and now you don't have the next renewal to worry about too!

I guess I should have posted on here a few weeks ago to say I got LRC indefinite, but I am appealing it as I feel I should also get mobility and to be honest LRC does not even start to cover the amount of care I get, so will hopefully be updating here soon - with better results. Figured I had nothing to lose by appealing as I do not see that they could take my LRC off me, and even if they did, it's not as if I lose much!

Conrgats again Sheppey!!!

[Kattykins]

Wow! That is wonderful! I am so thrilled for you! I am filling up with tears myself!

[star gazer]

Fantastic news sheppey, so thats both of us on hrm hrc I hope this bodes well for the esa50. A least the wait is over on the dla part lets hope the wait is not too long to hear about the esa.
congratulations

[trekster]

So pleased you can finally get the level of benefit you need mate.

[clairebear]

Finally after 11wks I have had my DLA reinstated at high rate mobility low rate care which is what I was on previously. Thankfully this time they wrote to my GP and physio instead of an ATOS doctor's report! Now I have to go for another ATOS assessment for my E & S allowance the fun continues

[nemonie]

Congrats everyone.

I had been awarded Higher rate mobility and care for 1 year which was due to end at the end of January next year. So I've been waiting for my re-application form thing-a-mies. I got a lovely brown envelope last monday, but it wasn't a form. It was a certificate confirming I was eligible for a free disabled tax-disc, because I received DLA higher rate mobility. I've had a free tax disc since last January The letter then went on to say that my DLA award was until the end of September 2012
This was followed by a rather rushed call to the DWP and an actual helpful person on the phone! Who confirmed that I have been somewhat randomly given 8 months extra allowance and said he'd send me a letter to confirm this. Which I now have and have under lock and key!!!

I am bemused and befuddled and also rather relieved that I don't have to fill in those bloomin' forms for another few months.

[sheppeyescapee]

That's rather odd but good news

[Superstottie]

wonder if it's because they are so snowed under with all the reconsiderations and appeals that everyone is having to request?? Good news for you though!! x

[star gazer]

Hiya nemonie, thats a nice Christmas suprise I just did my renewal, results in above post, have noticed that prof G has reviewed the dwp disabilty handbook and written the advice for it, so I think it helps to have a good letter of evidence from a rheumy especially prof G.
Esa Atos in for a shock as I sent my dla forms along with my evidence for esa renwal last month, should give them some good christmas reading if they can't sleep I am thinking and hoping that the dm's are now going to have a beter understanding of the impact of hms/eds on people and how it affects their lives, am also hoping that those who have put forward for appeal will be granted at reconsideration.
Hope all is well with you, enjoy not having to think about form filling for another 8 months and at least when it gets close to the time you can start filling it out in advance on the downloadable pdf on the B&W site and have it all ready especially as they have shortened the turn around time, mine was 4 weeks from getting it to having it back on their desk!
All the best
star gazer