DLA - Utter Confusion

[Xign]

Hey all,

I have been receiving DLA (high rate for mobility as I had a spine tumour and it seriously affected my L5 nerve, meaning my walking is seriously impaired, plus I have little balance).

Out the blue last Friday I received a letter from them stating I had wrote to them asking for my DLA rate to be looked at, I sent back a letter saying this is not the case (as i do not need care), and I am perfectly happy with my allowance.

Today I received another letter saying my allowance is now being looked at and a result would be posted in 11 weeks as regards to my DLA claim.

I phoned the DLA help line and the lady was helpful and told me the GP report was 3 months late, so it's caused my claim to be looked at again, but I shouldn't worry as "I won't have to pay anything back if they're wrong".

I explained that I'm not some dodgy claimer I do have a genuine disability, and that the DLA spoke to my neurologist, surgeon, physiotherapist and social worker before I got my allowance decided on in May. She said "The GP's report has raised some issues that you are getting paid too much or maybe too little and it needs to be re-assessed".

Obviosuly I'm slighty worried now, as DLA was a great help for cabs. etc.

Has anyone got advice?

Thanks

[emmaf01]

Local council welfare rights officer may be able to help- very good at contacting these people and getting things sorted on your behalf.

[Xign]

Originally Posted by emmaf01

Local council welfare rights officer may be able to help- very good at contacting these people and getting things sorted on your behalf.

Thanks for the advice - I think I'll wait for any ore news from them they said it can take 11 weeks! - I don't think my DLA is going to be stopped during this time, so I'll wait.

[surprise]

I think what you yourself have written has probably caused them to look again at your claim your quote "I do not need care". You have to be really careful with what you write. You will see that many members of gag have been turned down for DLA although they are genuine claimants all because they've worded their claim forms wrong.

I know from personal experience with my own daughter's illness back in 1996 she was refused twice and it was only her CPN who filled the form in the 3rd time that got it for her. She now receives it indefinitely.

I would certainly go and see a Welfare Rights Officer to ensure that the DLA do have the right information.

[emmaf01]

Better to stop the DLA people from creating a problem you have to later appeal- take your info/letter to the welfare rights officer asap.

Plus it might "help" DLA to know you have welfare rights involved, so any unfair "mistakes" DLA might make will be vigorously defended.

[Xign]

Originally Posted by emmaf01

Better to stop the DLA people from creating a problem you have to later appeal- take your info/letter to the welfare rights officer asap.

Plus it might "help" DLA to know you have welfare rights involved, so any unfair "mistakes" DLA might make will be vigorously defended.

Good point actually....

I'll post any updates...

Thanks