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Disability Living Allowance and doctors

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Health & Wellbeing
I applied for DLA online last week and got a letter about it this morning. Anyway, they said that 'we may contact a doctor who can tell us more about your condition' and 'we may get a doctor to examine you'. However, I've never seen a doctor about this (only the consultant at the eye infimary) so how are they meant to tell the DWP about me? I think the doctors may have my notes about this, but because of what the condition is and the lack of treatment for it, I've never really seen anyone about this.

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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I have some problems with my eyes.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The consultant is a doctor.

    Doctor is not just your GP, but consultants, registrars, surgeons.....

    The first point of contact they may try could be your GP, but your GP will have had letters from the consulatant at the eye infirmary detailing the diagnosis and treatment plan. Either the GP will give them the info they need, or if they don't have it will refer them onto your specialist (the consultant at the infirmary).
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    When I applied for DLA, they contacted my Rheumatologist (consultant) instead of my GP (who I see on a monthly basis) and I was turned down, because my Rheumy had only seen me once and wouldn't contribute to my claim.

    It depends on your disability as to whether or not they'll need to contact a medical practitioner. Sometimes they'll grant DLA without any contact from a practitioner OR a medical exam - it all depends on the individual claim. All you can do is sit tight and wait n see.
    I've just received a letter saying they're contacting my GP (I'm now re-claiming) so hopefully my GP will write a kick ass letter, and I'll be granted it!
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The problem is, up until the end of June. I hadn't seen anyone for about 10 years, as the eye infirmary felt (understandably) that there was nothing more (other than the operation) that they could really do to help me.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Medical evidence isn't the only type of evidence that is admissible, and if you have statements from friends and family who know about you and can say what care and mobility needs you have then that will count towards your claim too.

    If you are rejected you have one month from the date of the decision to lodge an appeal on form GL24. It's always worth challenging a refusal.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks Kermit. The only statement I have is my Certificate of Visual Inpairment.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Kermit wrote: »
    Medical evidence isn't the only type of evidence that is admissible, and if you have statements from friends and family who know about you and can say what care and mobility needs you have then that will count towards your claim too.

    If you are rejected you have one month from the date of the decision to lodge an appeal on form GL24. It's always worth challenging a refusal.
    Friends and Family's statements aren't worth much these days. They'll refuse most applications first time.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    They refuse most people anyway, it's all about targets, which is why the first thing I always mention about DLA applications is how to appeal the rejection.

    The DWP rules say they have to treat all evidence equally providing it is not contradictory, although of course they never fucking do.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    What targets are these you're talking about, kermit?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The DWP swear blind that everyone has a fair chance, but working in this field the only conclusion I can make with some of the rejections is that the DWP reject everyone to keep the numbers down. You only get the benefit if you fight for it.

    I deal with incapacity benefit more, to be honest, and some of the decisions are ludicrous.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Just to give you some hope I got mine first time so they don't reject everyone. But yes it does sometimes seem that way, I've know people who had to appeal and also the amounts and the bits it gets awarded for doesn't always seem very consistent.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    My sister got hers on the first and only application, and hers was for a mental illness. Mine's a physical disability and was refused straight off. Luck of the draw methinks.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ilora-Danon wrote: »
    Luck of the draw methinks.

    :yes: They don't call it "Dreaded Lottery Allowance" for nothing.
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