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

[LazyHaze]

Hello all, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and filling out one of these forms lets hope it'll work out for me! With that care rate do they employ some one, or is it up to me and they give me the money? I couldn't really find info about that, not sure if I want some one looking after me as I'm aggressively independent as my mum puts it lol and do you have to have a letter from a rhuemy/docotor or is it just a good idea? because my docotor is useless, and my rhuemy is a long way away from me.

[Superstottie]

Lazyhaze - don't mean this to put you off - but maybe take a lok at the refused/appealing DLA thread first, as there is a lot of advice about what to put on the form and what to include etc. DLA is just money based on your care/mobility needs, and you can spend it however you want to help you. You can use it to pay for help - but you don't have to. You don't have to include any letters at all, but it can be helpful to send them as much supporting evidence as possible. There is also a thread about applying for DLA that it might be useful to look at!

[LazyHaze]

thank you super i will do that and let every one know how it goes

[Superstottie]

WooHoo!!! Finally got my award!! The have gone from LRC only to MRC and HRM!! It's still Indefinite too which is super good news as I don't now have to worry about renewal!! I am just so glad that I found the strength to fight on. I am in total shock, and keep reading the letter over and over as I was really expecting to have to go to appeal!!! Thanks to everyone for the advice that has helped me get it!! Happy happy happy - now off to look at all the things I have been wanting to buy for ages, like new wheels for my wheelchair, and some night resting splints!! Isn't it mad how we get excited over being able to buy new splints!!!

Oh and just realised that I can also finally get a disabled parking space outside my house now!!!! Hubby about to ring and claim his carers allowance so he can get income support rather than having to sign on every two weeks!!!

[sheppeyescapee]

congratulations! that is fantastic news glad they finally made a good decision.

[Rosie]

Hi all

That is good news superstottie. Don't forget that HRM can also lead into the motability scheme, a blue badge, and possible zero road tax.

Rosie

[Superstottie]

I have a list of things that I need to get on and sort tomorrow, including the car tax etc that you mentioned. Think I will have to stay with my car rather then go on motability as I can't get anything big enough for us all and my wheelchair through them anymore since they reduced the advanced payment!! It is really annoying that I had to tax my car at the end of September as they made what I would say is an error in my award, and I can't claim that back, so there error has left me out of pocket!!

Thanks everyone!

[trekster]

Hi all

That is good news superstottie. Don't forget that HRM can also lead into the motability scheme, a blue badge, and possible zero road tax.

Rosie

Also a bus pass on the grounds walking disabilities, but i would get the blue badge 1st before the bus pass.
Really pleased for you superscottie. Grrr re the car tax. Could you get your local disability advice people to help you
write a letter of complaint in an attempt to claim the tax back?

[Superstottie]

I am going to write a complaint letter anyway, as the decision should have been this one back in November, as I simply pointed out the mistakes they made and they have changed my award. I also complained about the fact that they had stated my diagnosis as Hypermobility, and I have never been diagnosed with Hypermobility, and I felt that they should apologise for the fact that this is what they stated on all the info sent to medical bods about my claim, which would put me at a disadvantage of being believed from the start, as 20% of the population are Hypermobile!!!

I still can't quite believe it - treated us to chinese for tea as we had been stuck at the hospital for 2 hours this afternoon, so I was in agony from the hateful chairs they have, and it was a bit late to start cooking! Oh and treated my 'carer' to some beers, as he is a complete star and does look after me very well!!

[trekster]

Pleased you managed to enjoy yourself, shame about the agony.

[star gazer]

fantastic news superstottie I got a refund on my tax disc as I bought 12 months and had 11 months left when I had my hrm award, I went to the post office to change to zero tax and changed the "log book" to disabled driver then dvla sent a refund for remaining months that I had left. I was looking at one car company that is in the motability scheme and they do big cars/mpv's on their scheme. I don't have a motability car because we only have on car and would have to sell that for the deposit and then my husband would not be able to use it unless I was with him (I think thats the rule??) and so it wouldnt work for us if he needed to collect the kids or go shopping.
soo pleased about the goods news and yes it is a little strange how we get so excited about being able to buy disability aids but I guess its the small things that help to make life a bit easier. I must have a look at night splints, I wonder if they do one to keep hips in place .
enjoy
love
sg xxx

[Rosie]

Hi all

star gazer - the motability schemee allows the car to be used for a variety of activities, you don't have to be in the car. have a look at this page as it makes it quite clear that something like your husband doing the shopping is fine, even if you are nto with him it is something that you benefit from.

Rosie

[star gazer]

Wow thanks for the link Rosie that puts a whole new angle on things, we were worried about breaking the rules.
thankyou
sg x

[trekster]

How long from the date you posted the form back to when you got a decision did it take to hear from DLA?

[Superstottie]

My original NO took about 8 weeks!