DLA Renewal Letter?

[adridude]

Hey Folks,

 

I've just received a letter this week with a DLA renewal form giving me until Jan 27th, 2014 to send it in. Despite being in constant comms with the DLA, i.e. sending them every letter from consultants, doctors and therapists since my claim I have to renew it?

 

I don't quite get this, in every second letter it's made quite clear that this is a permanent illness. Do I need to renew every 2 years or something? What's worse is the pure stress of being scared to send this is fearing a battle is causing other repercussions...

 

At the moment, I rely HEAVILY on my DLA to cover annoying costs of dealing with it, and rely even mores on the disability component of my WTC to keep my head just above water. On top of all of that is because I'm only 34, if they botch it up and deny me, which I've seen happening more and more all over the place I'll even lose my HB as it just covers my rent due to being on DLA.

 

What can I do about this to keep my back covered? It's not like this illness is going away, specialists which took a 7 year waiting list to see confirm everything in writing too.

 

I'm almost tempted to send the form back sarcastically and in big red writing "should i renew my illness too?" lol

 

Some advise would be really handy.

 

Cheers,

 

A

 

*edit* just to add, even the medication that I'm been treated with should be a good indicator, being in the amphetamine phonily and being a listed controlled medication, it's potent stuff and not given out like smarties by doctors :-/

[Limara]

I dont know anything definate to help you but my Daughter was awarded lifteime DLA that has now changed and gone to PIP and she has been changed over ok, but this is no longer a lifetime award and will have to be renewed. Other people I know have not been awarded anything and lost all their claim. I do know people that have had to renew DLA every I think it was every 2 years and they are pretty seriously disabled on conditions that will only get worse and not better, you need to cross your fingers and renew if you are still on DLA you shouldnt have the troubles that people are having with the pip, I think the DLA renewal was more a formality I dont know any one that was took off it when they renewed, and thats probably where all the problems come from I definatley know people that should have never been awarded the claim, but with the new changes people that should get it now don't meet the criteria which is disgusting.

[Nystagmite]

It doesn't matter whether your illness is permanent. All they care about is the care and /or mobility needs you have.

[Ros1609]

On my son's award letter it clearly states that the claim would have to be renewed in 2 years time. The timescales are different for different claims. They just need to be sure you are receiving the right amount as things can change. If you don't renew then you will most likely have your DLA stopped

[adridude]

Can I just send them a copy of the form when I filled it in 2 years ago? Luckily I scan things in on the computer to keep for reference. Whats on the form 2 years ago is exactly what's on the form this time?

 

Maybe attach it to their form with a "please refer to attachment"?

[Ros1609]

No I would fill it out again with the most recent evidence i.e. medical reports etc. If you got an award the first time round and nothing has changed then you have nothing to worry about. I know its a horribly long form and I am dreading filling out my son's again but I wouldn't want to risk them thinking I am not taking it seriously.

[Nystagmite]

I was told that even if nothing's changed, to still fill the form in.

[adridude]

Well now that the SECOND form I've sent in HAS been confirmed as received (as they kindly lost the first), I've been told to wait 8 weeks to hear from them.

 

The first was sent long before the claim ended, and I didn't even sent it by mail, I took it by hand to the job centre and asked them to use internal mail.

 

When I went there on Friday to complain, they told me "we can't guarantee the forms will get there or that they won't be lost.

 

Where this leaves me at is literally:

 

1) no rent for 8 weeks as I was getting rent for the last few years due to LHA DLA exception, now I get £200 / month which is 1/3 what rent is.

2) no wtc as I'm not entitled to the DLA side of it

 

What the hell do I do now? I believe that crisis loans took a tumble down the latrine thanks to the government, so that's not a temporary solution...

 

I'm well and truly stuck...

 

Any advice?

 

Cheers,

 

Ade

[Bookworm]

Tell your HB department you need to claim under the "no income" category while it's being sorted. They don't like people knowing about this, but they can in fact process your HB that way.

 

It's not ideal, but at least it will protect the roof over your head.