review of d.l.a

[joanne8]

hi everyone, i have a query if anyone can help would be most appreciated, i have been recieving d.l.a. now for nearly 6yrs,every three yrs they do a review of situation,my next review has just started now.My query is they have asked me to go and see one of their doctors at a nearby social security assesment centre,the three yrs before review a doctor of their cameto see me, i just wonder if this is normal practise to keep having to see their docs every three yrs,as you can probably imagine it makes me very anxious and severely ill as i keep thinking they will stop my money which indeed i do have to rely on as hubby doesnt work niether he cares for me.What i dont understand is can they stop your money as my condition has not improved if anything i have got worse.Ijust wondered if anyone else has to keep going through this any insight would be most appreciated.Many thanks joanne8

[Clare.T]

Hi Joanne
I'm sorry I have no personal experience or specialist knowledge to advise you, but perhaps somebody who has will be along soon.

That feeling of being 'tested' & ' examined' is so unpleasant, so remember that it is routine and they aren't picking you out for any special reason. It's designed to weed out the scroungers and fraudsters or those who are better but 'forgot' to let them know.

If it is hard to get to the centre, maybe you could call and ask if the doc can come to your home.
Ask if there's anything you need to bring with you, like up -to- date reports from doctors or OT or social services.
I guess you will need to compare your situation now with what it was 3 years ago, so I'd make a detailed list of the ways in which you are worse now using the application form as a base line.

I hope someone with personal knowledge will respond.

Bye for now

Hugs
Clare

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Ok, with handling these types you must go with worst case scenario all the time. You may be having a particularly good day when they see you so for them to judge you on that is unfair. Be sure to state what you are like when very bad, what your limitations are etc etc. A list is a good idea if it helps. Also bear in mind that they won't see the after effects of any prodding they do so be sure to tell them about it whilst they are still present how it will affect you later on. Even little things. It's always worth giving worst case scenarios to give them some understanding of just how much you truly go through.
Wish you all the best with it.
P.

[joanne8]

thankyou to both of you for your kind replies,i am at the moment not to well i have to see a doctor tomorrow,i have writ a list out of all my sx,well i couldnt believe what i suffer with i showed my hubby he started to cry,he said when you put it down on paper you can really see what is going on,so i will take to doc and ask him what he thinks with it all,i will also take it to my review so that i dont forget anything.Iwill keep you updated and let you know how i get on many thanks for both your replies luv/best withes joanne8

[balla]

hi jo, hope you got sorted out today and your examination went well have to let us know how it went i know this can be so hard when your ill xx

[lin]

Jo i have just read this, i really hope all went well too,i have heard of the dr comming out to the house,


take care Lin xx

[somerset]

Hello Joanne

Good luck and yes I agree with the idea of telling them how you are at the worse moments - no brave face, no oh I am alright...I was turned down for DLA when I was walking with 2 sticks and worked in an upstairs office and I heard of another person (not with lupus connections) who was turned down because she showed the assesser to the door to say goodbye!!:eek: I have had to increase my work hours to 30 to see if I can apply for working tax credit as I can get no other state benefits at all. So go for it girl - you deserve financial help if you have lupus but the area I live in don't seem to acknowledge it's existence.... sorry to harp on - but the system is so unfair to those with a debilitating illness so really - the very best of luck to you.... take care Love Juliet:wink2:

[trapped]

hi joanne,

as the others have said you really do have to present them with ur worst day scenairo (sp) and then exaggerate some. it sounds awful but they are trying to get people off benefits and will look for anything to stop or refuse people benefits. They have to do checks up its routine as some people carry on claiming even tho its no longer needed just for the money. So try not to worry as its normally a routine thing.

I wouldnt worry too much as im sure they will still give you yours - all the professionals involved with you will back you up aswell.

good luck n ill be thinking of you
sam

[joanne8]

hi everyone i still havnt heard weather i still qualify for my d.l.a,the doc i seen seemed ok and understanding but i still didnt feel sure of him,obviously if i dont get rewarded it i will have to appeal as they have been giving it to me for the last 6yrs,i havnt been on chat as of late as i am in incredible pain with neck/shoulder,but my doc who i seen recently not the dla doc but my own gp,is very good he isnt dismissing anything i chuck at him,so i think i will be getting a lot further with this doc.many many thanks for all your kind replies soon as i hear any word i will post to let you know how i have got on many thanks joanne8

[balla]

hi,Just thought i would add the doctor that come out to my daughter when she appealed seemed ever so nice so my daughter thought ha ha was differant when he put pen to paper and wrote lots against her, you never can tell what they are thinking untill the decission comes,She has severe pain when standing due to vasculitis in her legs and could see for himself her legs go blue and are always cold..,he put nothing noticable etc...makes ye laugh when others can get it so easy with back problems which can be operated on and people with real problems lupus,raynauds etc that have this for life need to fight and cause more stress...my father also god bless him who passed away due to his illness had to fight every two years medicals he was paralised down one side of his body due to stroke...God makes me so mad, Good luck hun and keep fighting for your rights xx

[joanne8]

hi everyone,i got my results today for my d.l.a. review,well not good news they have decided that after 6yrs of getting the high mobility/middle rate care that now all i need is low rate care no mobility allowance at all,i am devasted beyond words as this has put my life in turmoil,this will mean my hubby will have to get a job,we have a little adoptive boy and i cannot take care of him full time,we have appealled against this decision i just dont know how they can give it to you for 6yrs then decide you dont need it,i honestly believe this is because i went to the doc in the past they have come out to me as i have been to unwell to leave the house,i phoned them today about the decision in hysterics today crying asking them how they can justift a doc who doesnt know you only meet you for 20minuites can assess your needs,i will fight this i think they are of their heads.ive not felt this knocked back for a while today i nearly picked all my tablets up to take the lot just dont know how i will cope,i really dont want to be here at the moment,my hubby phoned them today he said to them that if anything happens to his wife he will be holding them personally responsible just absolutely devasted how one person can turn your life upside down,i am worried as i have to stop myself from trying to commit suicide i dont want to die but at the mom i dont want to live either just dont think its fair on my hubby,i completely feel trapped,sorry about this i dont mean to upset anyone luv joanne8

[Clare.T]

Oh dear ((((( Joanne))) You have so much to bear and now this on top of everything else. It's too bad, very cruel.
Please ring a help line to talk things over if you are having any self harm thoughts, promise won't you ? Feeling that desperate is ground enough even if you wouldn't really do it.

Bye for now - I'll be looking out for updates from you and trust you'll be feeling stronger today, in fighting mode.

All the very best
Hugs
Clare

[mavis b sausage]

You poor thing, I'm so sorry, what an awful situation to be in. I'm afraid this is the way it seems to be going in this country at the moment. Even though my husband's higher rate mobility DLA isn't reviewed (he was officially told it never would be, back when he first got it) we stilll live in dread of them changing their minds...And I'm not even going to apply on my own behalf as I can't face it and I'm scared to draw attention to us. To me it is just wicked that somebody in your situation can be made to suffer this way. I hope you will appeal the decision for as long as you can, and please also consider writing to your MP.
With huge hugs and very best wishes
Mave
xxx

[joanne8]

You poor thing, I'm so sorry, what an awful situation to be in. I'm afraid this is the way it seems to be going in this country at the moment. Even though my husband's higher rate mobility DLA isn't reviewed (he was officially told it never would be, back when he first got it) we stilll live in dread of them changing their minds...And I'm not even going to apply on my own behalf as I can't face it and I'm scared to draw attention to us. To me it is just wicked that somebody in your situation can be made to suffer this way. I hope you will appeal the decision for as long as you can, and please also consider writing to your MP.
With huge hugs and very best wishes
Mave
xxx
hi mavis,i have appealed to the dla with back up from the hospital specialist to get back what i am entitled to,when i explained to the doc he was not happy,if you are not well mavis then you should apply for it as you are a individual and have needs to your own illness,i am sorry that your hubby isnt well (im assuming hes not well or with a disability)you shouldnt fear them they will not take away your allowance to your hubby,this has only happened to me because i went to them this time for the review the other times i was far to unwell so they came to me,so in future no matter how i am feeling on the day of review i will not attend to see them,we are humans we have good days/bad days, at that time of review i was functioning better with the help of steroids and new meds,i wish they would come round and see me now they would change their decision,as i am now just being dx lupus to with what looks like organ involement with chest/liver,with all this going on you can see why my doc was not amused with them still not to worry like you said if i dont get any satisfaction i will involve mp,thanks for your concern and kind wishes,i to hope you and your hubby are ok thanks joanne8

[balla]

Hi joanne, did you get anywhere with the appeal i know it can be a long process as my daughter waited months.She lost her case and the GP as now told her to reapply but she is not going to said she won't want to go through that again, I always thought you could get help even if you worked but think that is what caused her to lose the case.

hope you get sorted soon sue x

[joanne8]

hi balla, i am still waiting to hear from them,my psycharitrist writ them a letter stating how bad this illnes affects me physically/mentally,the last review i had the same problem but once the shrink writ them a letter i soon got results,so im not to worried as long as he is on my side,my benefits run out feb so it shouldnt be to long,i would advise anyone getting problems with benefits to get a psycharitrist involved,as their word goes when getting results cause they cannot allow your mental state of mind get in to a serious state,please tell your daughter to reapply and get help from the psycharistrist their is no stigma involved,natrually with any illness their is always going to be an element of mentall probs when trying to deal with everyday feeling so unwell. i hope you are well,and thankyou for asking how i am,from your dear friend joanne8

[Blue82]

How long should I wait for a response to my letter stating I wished to appeal against my DLA decision?

I was receiving higher mobility and middle care but dispite me actually needing more care then I did when I applied originally I've been dropped to lower rate care. The CAB were good when I went to them for advice but I don't want to go through the hassle of sorting an appointment and getting myself there if it's too early to expect a response.

[joanne8]

How long should I wait for a response to my letter stating I wished to appeal against my DLA decision?

I was receiving higher mobility and middle care but dispite me actually needing more care then I did when I applied originally I've been dropped to lower rate care. The CAB were good when I went to them for advice but I don't want to go through the hassle of sorting an appointment and getting myself there if it's too early to expect a response.

hi blue82,this is my third term,the first term i got middle care/lower disability,the second visit they gave me high mobility/low care so i appealed,my psycharistist writ them a letter,stating how bad i am i got a reply within three weeks,this time i am appealing again as they took the mobility away altogether and gave me the low care rate,so i have appealed again with the help of my psycharitrist,i am still waiting for a answer its been about three weeks as yet,i have always apealled over the phone,DID YOU VISIT THEM,what i mean is did you go to see them at the social security unit,if you did this is probably why they changed your decision,under know circumstanses go to them anymore let them visit you,as i honestly believe this is why they have done what they have.If i were you i would phone them they will explain why they have lowered your money,you can then appeal by phone,get your docs support or hospital services to help you,if still no luck get a local mp involved.I hope this helps you a bit joanne8:sad:

[sheila t]

I am due for my Review next year. I think its terrible that People like us that are Truly so unwell, are put this ordeal as well. Good luck Girls in your appeals.
Sheila xxx

[RachelSut]

I’m reading this post with interest as I started a similar thread recently after hassle with my income support. :mad: Isn’t there something we could do en masse to bring the difficulties of living with this chronic illness to light so the people that sit in their offices receiving our applications and appeals don’t just create more stress for us? Any ideas would be welcomed-I’d certainly give anything a go-they’ve no ****** idea!!!!:mad:

Rachel

[joanne8]

hi everyone,i had a letter today saying they still havnt made an decision on my appeal,that they will let me know as soon as possible,i think this might be in my favour as if they had decided not to up it they would of told me in the letter today,well hopeful thinking anyway,soon as i hear i will let you know bye take care joanne8.