Help with DLA upgrade decision upon death of my mother

[ash_bash_girl]

Hi can anyone advise me?

I put in a cliam to upgrade my mothers DLA after her illness progressed rapidly dating from 5th april 07. She was confined to bed as she could not walk or even toilet herself leading to me also packing in work.
I rang the DLA to see how the claim was getting on and was informed it had been reffered to my local office. Someone came out to visit me and mum several weeks later as i was to be her appointee.

I heard nothing and upon ringing was told it was still not decided.

On the 9th aug 07 my mum quickly died whilst i was on holiday. my dad was caring for her that week. She was told there was nothing else they could do for her, her Leukemia had turned that aggressive and was attacking her whole skeleton.

When i sent the death cert off to the DLA i wrote a letter asking them to please sort out the claim as it was too painfull to keep dealing with.

This week i recieved a letter stating that she was entitled to HIGHER rate DLA from 4/8/07 and as she died on the 9/8/07 there was no outstanding monies to be paid.

When i rang them they said there is a 3 month waiting time before an award will start to be paid. No where on the forms have i read this nor have i been told it either. I wanted to claim carers as i packed in work and this decision will stop me from doing that aswell.

Can anyone please help?

Sorry it is so long winded and i hope it makes sense as it has my head battered.

[dpick]

I don't know if this will help but I have just helped a friend with DLA mobility and care her claim started in October 2006 she had to go to a review board twice until she finally got awarded full mobility and care component 6 weeks ago all back dated to October 2006.

all the best dpick.

[gizmo111]

COntact your local welfare rights service and ask them for advice, they will help you with all that you were entitled to.

[ash_bash_girl]

Thanks Dpick will try to put an appeal in and will also contact my local welfare rights office as gizmo111 has suggested.

It is a hard time anyway without having to fight the system for money which should have been paid straight away.

Thanks for your advice.

[patrickq1]

contact my local welfare rights office as gizmo111 has suggested
this should be your first call their they will have the best advice sorry to hear of your sad loss it must be very stressful for you
good luck

[ash_bash_girl]

Will ring first thing monday.
It is very stressful i must admit.
We knew she was poorly but there was always hope that she would get through the chemo but she had a very hard fight and she put up a battle that an army would be proud of.

I will keep you posted on what is happening.

Thanks again.

[Robdblynd]

Don't know where they get the information that there's a three month wait for payment because the payment is usually dated from date on the claim form, which would be 5th April.

IF they have the right documentation they are supposed to complete all claims within a certain time too, so I'd look into that aspect of it as well.

I certainly hope you get it resolved quickly because that money would've been helpful for you when your mum needed attention.

[sandraroff]

you must go to your citizens advice place. they have been helping me with my claim for DLA for more than a year. i was turned down in july last year and have been appealing ever since. last week i got it awarded, albeit at the lowest rate BUT they have to backdate it to last april, when i first put the claim in. CAB have people who will help specifically with appeals. fight it all the way. the decision makers are not the people you will see at an appeal. keep trying!!!!

[groovycaz]

Hi all,
When the carers and support group told me to apply for DLA for my little boy, I did not think for 1 minute that they would award him it, however from me sending the forms in it took about 4 months for them to grant him it and they back dated it to the date they recieved the application..Gc