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Disability Living Allowance

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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Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You can probably get someone to help you do it down at your local jobcentre.

    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
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well, I have been told there's probably not that much point me applying because I probably won't get it. :rolleyes:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If you need to write on a separate sheet of paper about your condition, then do!

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I haven't that long (well, end of June) ago had an assessment relating to my disability. There's something on the Direct Gov website about assessments. Do I really need another one or would my certificate of visual imapirment be enough?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It depends on the circumstances. Sometimes they wish for you to have an assessment made by their doctor, sometimes they'll just grant you DLA without one. If you make your application strong enough, with strong evidence, then you may not need one.

    Definitely put a copy of your certificate in with the application, and a letter of your consultant/gp to add strength.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    get anything that you possibly can cos they will turn it down for the slightest thing. My brother gets the middle DLA I think it is as he has epilepsy which isn't really controlled very well.

    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?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Jemz - I have no idea if there are any groups as such, but there is some sort of support I am able to get from the sensory team.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I agree that the DLA form is quite long and boring. I recently filled one in on behalf of my mum. She was awarded DLA many, many years ago but they sent her another form just to 'check' she still has MS (:rolleyes: ) We just skipped through the questions that we're relevant to her (I'm pretty sure there is an eyesight section, as we simply answered 'no' to everything)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Some people are awarded one year awards, others 3 years, others lifetime. It depends on the strength of your case and the liklihood of you getting better (which is ironic really)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The rough guide is can you manage as well as a 'normal' person by yourself.

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm on DLA due to dual-sensory loss. Sight in one eye only, factor -26, tunnel vision, right eye artificial. Moderate hearing loss in both ears (need hearing aids at all times). The actual syndrome is called Stickler Syndrome. As I've never been able to deal with bureaucracy, my parents were able to do it on my behalf.

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It is a long and difficult form. I had a really good advisor do mine for me. I think the way to do it is to make as many of the questions relevant to your condition (mine is mental health related so imagine trying to make those questions fit that!?)

    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).
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Does your sight mean that you struggle being out along somewhere you don't know?

    Yes - I have trouble with navigating and reading. (in general; not just maps)
    Get in touch with the local job centre and make them help you fill it in.

    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)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie, I've found the number for DIAC.

    Try 01904 638467

    Their web site is www.diac.org.uk
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thanks Monserrat.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I get DLA on behalf of my autistic son...like someone else said, they don't want to know the medical details and definitions, they just want you to demonstrate how you are at a disadvantage to the "average person". For example, my son is 8 but has limited mobility due to anxiety and panic attacks in unfamiliar places. Fair enough this can be overcome by giving him a map (which he would just love you to do but it isn't practical) or picking him up and making him do it, but at 8 years old you shouldn't have to resort to those tactics!

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why do they sometimes only award DLA for only a year? I've had this condition all my life and will always have it. (as there is no cure for it) Only now, it's become slightly harder.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie wrote: »
    Why do they sometimes only award DLA for only a year? I've had this condition all my life and will always have it. (as there is no cure for it) Only now, it's become slightly harder.

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Now it makes sense. Thanks for your help.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If i can get it for my dyspraxia then you will!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Do I need an appointment to see someone in the CAB or Diac?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If i can get it for my dyspraxia then you will!

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Randomgirl wrote: »
    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.
    Yep. They are SO tight fisted with DLA they rarely say yes first time. I've got a joint disorder that causes pain and instability, yet they said no. I'm now re-applying with my DSA report as MORE evidence.

    Try and get as much written evidence as possible when claiming for DLA.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    do you think:

    specialist teacher's report
    educational psyciatrist's report
    GP's letter

    would be enough?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yep, if they're the people that know you best, then definitely.

    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.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    yeah they do know, apart from my GP though, because i haven't seen her much. i need to look through my medical notes because i have a history of balance and dizziness problems i believe
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    do you think:

    specialist teacher's report
    educational psyciatrist's report
    GP's letter

    would be enough?

    Well it depends what they say really!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sofie has gone! Why, where?
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