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Disability Living Allowance
BillieTheBot
Posts: 8,721 Bot
Do they deliverately make the forms as difficult as possible to fill in or something? I'ce been considering doing this for a while, but there seems no point even filling them as there's sod all (that I can see) relating to eye sight - it all seems to be about walking and medication.
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Beep boop. I'm a bot.
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I had to fill them out for my mum...it must've took me HOURS and I swear they repeat the same questions again and again. Stick it out though, worth it in the end? x
I applied for DLA about 6months ago and got turned down, but am re-applying as I now have evidence from my DSA which will hopefully make my claim stronger.
If you get turned down (they usually turn people down at first) make sure you appeal the decision. You really have to fight them for it. If they say no again, go to tribunal.
Definitely put a copy of your certificate in with the application, and a letter of your consultant/gp to add strength.
Also, be prepared for the possibility that you may have to re-apply at a later date it doesn't necessarily roll on.
My brother got it the first year and at the end of this he was told he was no longer entitled to it as he didn't meet the criteria (nothing in his situation had or has changed - he still has fits which aren't controlled as can happen at any time on average of twice a month, has 2 different types of seizure nad is on about 3 or 4 different types of tablet).
My mum and brother appealed the decision and he has now been granted it for life and doesn't need to reapply but I'm not entirely sure how that would work for other disabilities.
With the forms and everything else my brother got help from Epilepsy UK local group, is there nothing like that for your condition?
Does your sight mean that you struggle being out along somewhere you don't know?
Get in touch with the local job centre and make them help you fill it in.
Welsh-Jemz, I don't think you have to renew every year. My parents did it the first time shortly after I was diagnosed (pretty much at birth), then again when I was 20. I'm now 29, so it's 9 years ago since it got renewed and the rates go up more-or-less in line with inflation.
E.g. it will ask you about mobility issues and whilst you might not see it directly as relating to your sight you might put that it is difficult to go to unfamiliar places unaccompanied due to your sight. Where it asks about food and eating again you can relate this back to your sight (is it safe to cook a meal by yourself if you have sight problems for example).
Try to write about your condition in as many parts of the form as possible even if it means repeating yourself. Although it isn't labelled as such, some of the pages refer to the "care" part of the allowance and others to the "mobility" part of the allowance (and remember that "mobility" issues can be very broad ranging and do not only include physical walking difficulties etc). You stand the best chance of getting most money if you can do this.
Also, it goes without saying that if your condition varies you should go for your worse days in order that the care is in place for this rather than your best days.
Another tip my adviser gave is to give specific examples of problems you encountered in the last few weeks (eg. at the weekend I wanted to do this but my condition meant that I couldn't because... etc).
Yes - I have trouble with navigating and reading. (in general; not just maps)
I did talk to them when I went to see them about my NI number and they told me to get in conact with DIAC. (which I've lost the number for)
Try 01904 638467
Their web site is www.diac.org.uk
You need to base your application on your worst days, don't under-estimate anything or play it down. Make sure you keep a photocopy as they quite often just award DLA for a year and it's really handy when you come to renew to be able to refer back to the first application and see if anything has improved or deteriorated since.
I think it's because of there are different rates to the two elements that can be claimed and your needs can change over time (depending on what kind of disability you have). For example, my son receives middle rate personal care and lower rate mobility. When he was first awarded DLA he was 6 and a half and was only awarded the middle rate of personal care. There was no award made for mobility as he wasn't seen as being old enough to be outside unsupervised anyway. The first DLA award ran for a year and when we re-applied the award was increased. The award he has at the moment runs until he is 11. As he has a form of autism his needs can change. It's not something that he can be cured of, but the way in which it is managed can have a big impact. It may be in a couple of years time that he can manage a trip to the shop on his own and therefore the mobility element of DLA will no longer apply. Obviously some conditions won't ever change and those are the ones where a lifelong award is made.
To be honest the awarding of DLA is rather inconsistent, lots of people who probably should get it have their claims rejected and have to appeal.
Try and get as much written evidence as possible when claiming for DLA.
specialist teacher's report
educational psyciatrist's report
GP's letter
would be enough?
My first DLA application, they contacted my consultant for evidence of my condition - and she'd only met me once to make a diagnosis... so make sure they know you and your condition really well.
Well it depends what they say really!