If you have ever had to fill in a DLA renewal form...

[Janet-M]

.. then add your name to this petition ...

We all know it takes hours to fill one in , the questions repeat themselves and some people who really would benefit from DLA etc can be put off claiming.

[Mrs_Ryan]

Done - i did my partner's for him and it was a nightmare!!!

[MrMT]

My sister advised me to complete the DLA form but I failed to express myself well so never did submit it. I know I'm losing out but I've had some really bad experiences just trying to keep my I.S. with disability allowance! The last straw was having to appeal to a tribunal and the stress of waiting etc.

[stardust_john]

I actually develop panic attacks when I get near to the time of renewal. I hear voices any how and it feels they will go mad around then, so I try to avoid it untill last minute to the point of not handing it in last time. Since filling in so many forms has anyone else found that they get panicked about filling in the slightest form as well, sounds silly but I think its become a phobia.

Its the idea of divulging so much personal info to people we dont know.

[Tillysocute]

I filled out my husbands with his OT and it is a nightmare....You just keep repeating yourself over and over..........I was told by my husbands OT that there are "KEY" words that the DLA look for in the form.Almost like a test on how ill you are!!!!!!!!!........... Of course you dont know what they are,which is why OT told us she would fill it out for us........ Its a farce!!!

[pipin]

If it had not been for the help of CAB I would have just chucked mine in the bin, I got panic just looking at it. I'm still waiting for a reply.

[babbles]

Originally Posted by stardust_john

I actually develop panic attacks when I get near to the time of renewal. I hear voices any how and it feels they will go mad around then, so I try to avoid it untill last minute to the point of not handing it in last time. Since filling in so many forms has anyone else found that they get panicked about filling in the slightest form as well, sounds silly but I think its become a phobia.

Its the idea of divulging so much personal info to people we dont know.

I can totally understand how you feel. Having completed so many forms over the years, they fill me with dread, they make you feel like a criminal from the start. I have been ill for the past 14 years, some of which I worked, until the Dr's said enough, stop, or it will kill you. Only now, some 6 years down the line have I managed to get a little help from the DLA, talk about jumping through hoops to get there. Dr after Dr, phone calls to go through every bit of the form that you filled in months prior, to try and catch you out. Dr's visiting the house, they seem to disregard your own Consultants and GP reports and then decide that you only need basic care. Which is not the case. I want to appeal, but I don't feel strong enough to battle them any further, I will wait until they do the yearly review. It all leaves you completely exhausted.

[jannercobbler]

Signed

[stardust_john]

You'll never guess what came through the post today

I have the last application copy in a file and will go to cab, but I'll warn my doctor when I go in a couple of weeks because I can feel me wanting to stuff it in a draw and go away.

Its odd because I know Ill deteriate without the extra money but its as if Id prefer that than fill it in. I think Ill sort myself out but alots been going on and the idea of being looked at by a stranger fills me with fear, as if their judging me, yet I understand that they have too. its the panic

[NickyO]

When i first applied for DLA i got refused and i went to the welfare rights and they fought my case at a tribunial and i won i got all the money backdated to when i applied and i am still on DLA and i have a mobility car too! contact the welfare rights and someone will come out to your house and fill in all your form for you they know exactly what to put in the forms and thay are very nice people. Good Luck xx

[emmaf01]

I get a photocopy of the previous "winning" form and go to the local council welfare rights officer.

Dealing with the DWP in any way, shape or form gives mean nightmares, panic attacks and insomnia. Ever since they made me go to appeal after one of their "medicals" took my IB away for six months until the day of my tribunal when we found out they'd capitulated 2 weeks earlier but not bothered to inform us. Six months of trying to survive, eat and pay bills on £25 per week. We even had to sell our furniture to buy food.

And I used to work for the DWP- no wonder I'm ill!

[OLIVE.FAMILY]

Signed,
I have to fill in three of these things for my children and they all come at the same time. I dread it
olives xx

[legalpickle]

Originally Posted by MrMT

My sister advised me to complete the DLA form but I failed to express myself well so never did submit it. I know I'm losing out but I've had some really bad experiences just trying to keep my I.S. with disability allowance! The last straw was having to appeal to a tribunal and the stress of waiting etc.

Go to CAB.

I consider myself extremely competent and failed 2 times because I hadn't filled in the forms properly.

I went to CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau - and though it took a total of 4 hours and got what I was entitled to.

CAB will help you the whole way through it and whilst I wouldn't recommend them for everything - because they claim to do to many things - I cannot fault them in helping to deal with this - though make sure you get somebody who specifically deals with DLA forms, it's a profession to itself!

I've signed the petition - though I doubt it'll do an ounce of good with these mongrels - but it's worth a try!

[babbles]

It must be coming to the time to fill in a renewal form, they said about 6 months before the current claim is up for review. I have already spoken to my GP, to make sure she is fully aware of the care needs etc. The last time it was filled in, she said, "we don't really know your home circumstances, so we leave most of it blank" -well, fair enough, but, you know my medical conditions, you know how that affects a person and subsequent care needed. Leaving it blank is as good as saying there is no care needed, no wonder it was a battle Royal to fight my corner.

[qbal]

Originally Posted by legalpickle

Go to CAB.

I consider myself extremely competent and failed 2 times because I hadn't filled in the forms properly.

I went to CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau - and though it took a total of 4 hours and got what I was entitled to.

CAB will help you the whole way through it and whilst I wouldn't recommend them for everything - because they claim to do to many things - I cannot fault them in helping to deal with this - though make sure you get somebody who specifically deals with DLA forms, it's a profession to itself!

Good advice using CAB to help do your forms for DLA. As both disabled and an Adviser, I know how hard they make it to fill in properly.

Not sure about your statement that we "claim to do too many things" though. Would you care to elaborate on that one? All advisers are highly trained in generalist advice, and have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. It's not about knowing everything, but about knowing where to find the information a client needs. And if it is too complicated for the adviser involved we also have a host of experts in each field who can give more expert advice, as well as a database of solicitors who give up their own time to give free advice at our bureaux.

[sallysas]

If you're lucky enough to have Neighbourhood Offices in your city they will also help to fill these forms in - and do an appeal if necessary.

Sign where............ will do.

[kia]

ive had a bad time with these jokers but im getting the welfare ppl to help me with the form this time what with them getting wrong name on the form then wrong address then saying ohh your illness doesnt matter your still been turned down for it its a joke and the final insult was when they turned me down before id even sent in the form to appeal the decision so at that point decieded id start from scratch although i will take the forms along with me cos she might well say no we go with appeal think app is in oct for it its all one big joke though isnt it the system cos i had it for a year then was taken away why nothing had changed just the doc they sent round lied said i could walk 44 yards when he only seen me walk three steps to the door and back so ill not make that mistake again xxkia