Disability Living Allowance

[Bern2]

Hi All

Look what I found!



http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/


Hope it helps

Regards

Bern

[julie666]

i used this site to check to see if i qualify and they reckon i do for both mobility and care. but the dla say even though i use crutches i don't have mobility problems and as for care just because my children do most of the daily things like helping me in and out of the bath ect i can only get low rate care. i was even told i was only 33. has anyone else had this sort of problem?

[Bern2]

Hi Julie,

If you are having trouble with claiming DLA, I would suggest you obtain the DLA forms then make an appointment with the Citizen's Advice Bureau. They have alot of experience helping people through the DLA system. Try this site to find one near you

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml

Don't give up trying. The information is very clear on the DLA site, so if you think you have been misinformed, get help and support to continue your efforts to claim. Once you have made a claim, then if you are not happy with the outcome, you can appeal. If you don't claim at all then you will not have that opportunity to appeal! The worst that can happen is they turn you down, then appeal against the decision if you have reason to appeal.


Dig in and good luck

Bern

[roxie_P]

yer ive got appmoint to day with cab to help me see what i can cliam as am going back work part time
but they were saying as i still live at home it will be hard so fingers crossed style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Bern2]

Hi Roxi

The first move is the most difficult, so you have now made a start!

I have found that the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) web site

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/publi..._checklist.hcsp (http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_checklist.hcsp)

give detailed and informative information about DLA. Their advice on form filling could be adapted to your needs, so I would suggest you do some research, and make notes about your day to day difficulties, so that you have information that may be useful when attending CAB appointment. If you need further advice try the Disability helpline 0800 88 22 00, not the RNIB as this is for people with sight restrictions.

Take especial notice of the amount of help you need not the actual amount you get, so living at home should not be an issue.

As you plan to return to work a call to Access to Work - check your local office link pinned in this section -may prove useful. They, if it is appropriate, should give you advice on the help available to you and your employer to make your return to work more comfortable.

Good luck

Let me know how you get on

Regards

Bern

[Starrgazerlilly]

Hi Julie

DLA is notoriously difficult to get, and you may get refused upon first appliation but if you feel you are definitely eligible then be prepared to appeal.

There is a service (don't know if it's everywhere in the UK yet) called the FAB Team. They work through social services and are there to support the applicant (they have nothing to do with the Benefit Agencies). They will come to your home and fill out the form for you if you finding writing difficult. If your application gets refused they will go to your appeal with you if you want them to. They can also advise you on other Benefits you may be entitled to. It's a free service.

Try ringing Social Services and asking if they have a FAB team or any other similar service. The fact that they'll come to your home is really helpful.

Good luck

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[julie666]

hi everyone
just a quick update i recieved my appeal papers today and they made for some interesting reading.
the medical evidence that the dla are using is a report sent in by my gp in january 2002.
in it he states that my lupus does affect me with my day to day life and mobility and that it is going to get worse.
i will now be asking him to send in an updated one as i have got a lot worse over the last 4 years.
thanks to everyone for the advice and i will keep you all up to date on how it is going. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/Thanx.gif

[Bern2]

Hi Julie,

Good work! I am really interested to see how you get on.

There is plenty of information here on this site if you feel you need support in making your claim. Detailed uptodate information is the name of the game, as you found out. DLA can only be assessed on the information the Department hold. You found out in your case, that your information is way out of date. Job well done!

Please keep us posted and good luck!

regards

Bern

[hazel595]

Hi Bern

I only just noticed that you have posted the same web site as I have for Diane in another thread.......sorry honey didn't realise. Anyway the web address is on two threads now so maybe double the members will see it xxxx style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops.gif

[Bern2]

Hi Hazel,

No problem! The more information the better!

Your piece on pre-paid prescriptions made interesting reading! I hope somebody will let us know if the advice works.

Regards

Bern

[Deborah Rumbles]

DLA is difficult to get and I was turned down the first time , but now I'm entitled to High rate for mobility and medium rate for care this is both for life, and I have had it now for 3 years without any problems, Good luck and keep applying and appealing if neccessary.My rheumy wrote to them and I put the letter in with my appeal.

[poll4paula]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bern @ Apr 15 2006, 12:09 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Hi All

Look what I found!



http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/


Hope it helps

Regards

Bern
[/b][/quote]

[sel]

hi i applied for disabillity and got turned down although i have heard people who hardly suffer are entitled to it. i nevver appealed as i am a single mum to a 3 yr old and didnt want people to think i cant cope with him. we do miss out on alot of day to day activities sel x

[Bern2]

Dear Sel,

I would suggest you call the DLA Helpline, or go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and ask them to help you fill in the forms for DLA. Below is copied directly from the web site www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en selct Disabled people

"Call the Benefit Enquiry Line
This is a confidential freephone service for disabled people and carers. You can call the Benefit Enquiry Line and ask them to send you a claim pack. They can send you the claim pack in an alternative format if required - for example, Braille.

They can also arrange for someone to help you fill out the form if required. Please note that the person you speak to may need to arrange for someone to phone you back.

Telephone: 0800 88 22 00

Textphone: 0800 24 33 55

You can also use the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) Typetalk service.

The Benefit Enquiry Line is open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Saturday.

If you request a form from the Benefit Enquiry Line, the date of request will be treated as your date of claim from which Disability Living Allowance can be paid, as long as the form you receive is returned within six weeks of that date. If you delay making a claim, you may lose out on benefit.

The person taking your call will not have your personal papers but will be able to give you general advice. This advice must not be taken as a decision about your claim."

Don't give up and Good Luck

Regards

Bern