Thread: DLA forms..

I hate filling in DLA forms. There are some questions which I never know how to answer correctly, they seem like very odd questions. Such as, "how long each time do you require help with this task?" or "how many times a day do you require help with this task?"

So, for example, take getting out of the bath. I need help with that once a day, and it takes my carer about 2 minutes to help me each time. Or, another example, getting out of bed. I need help with that once a day, and it takes my carer about 30 seconds to literally get my out of bed. Can the answers really be that simple?

Yes they are that simple the trouble most people have is they fill the forms in as if they were having a "good day" its human nature to do that. Most people with disabilities go from good to bad daily, remember to always fill the forms out as if it was your worst day. Hope that makes sense

Originally Posted by cds

Yes they are that simple the trouble most people have is they fill the forms in as if they were having a "good day" its human nature to do that. Most people with disabilities go from good to bad daily, remember to always fill the forms out as if it was your worst day. Hope that makes sense

Yeh that's what I've done - and put that I need help 7 days a week even it's only 6 days a week really, I wrote on the forms that I need help with everything every single day. On some of the questions I answered 'as long as it takes'.. wondering weather that was the right move now..

I would be a bit more specific with timings you don't want anything left open to their interpretations. Remember to copy the forms before sending and keep for referral when renewing your claim.

cds

Hi there.
I would also consider going to your local Citizens Advice Bureau to get help with these forms as they hasve specialist advisers and there is certainly 'a knack' to completing these correctly.

The CAB helped with my forms at let me know the 'key words' to put in there.

In my case I was claiming for my son and it can vary the amount of time I have to spend and found the form was not quite asking the right questions to clarify the problems my son has, so I was told by the CAB to include a diary over 3 days of everthing I did for my son - what is was and how long it took.

Claim was accepted first time.

Someone told me that the key to the "how long does it take" question is to say: "can not be measured", but I have to say without confirmation from elsewhere, I didn't dare use it when I filled in my son's forms last time. I'd love to get an official confirmation, but doubt it will be forthcoming...

I was also told to use the 'cannot be measured' instead of 'how long it takes', and my sons forms were accepted without further questions.

Interesting.

They are very stupid questions, I feel almost as if they are there to trick you.

I strongly suggest that you either use DIAL (Dial UK - Disability Information, Disability Rights, Disability Policy) or CAB otherwise even if you are crawling on your hands and knees every day they will reject it. I have an incurable problem which impairs my mobility, however my first application was still rejected much to the surprise of my doctor. I then used DIAL to help me compete the second form and was then awarded DLA.

This claim is not a full claim - it is an update of an existing claim that I've been awarded, to advise them that my condition has worsened. I already receive DLA.

Originally Posted by msowing

I was also told to use the 'cannot be measured' instead of 'how long it takes', and my sons forms were accepted without further questions.

Sorry that should have said 'cannot be timed' not measured (looked up my photocopies of old forms).