DLA APPEAL HELP PLEASE

[di30]

Hi.

 

By now you may have read on a few posts regarding my 12 year old son Daniel.

 

Due to his DLA being turned down also after a 'reconsideration, this was down to the school report that was incorrect on most questions.

 

Anyway the last week I have been writing stacks of letters along with filling in the appeal form (not much room to explain on these forms), I have sectioned them out.

 

Due to Dan having some learning difficulties at school (not statemented) although we are hoping to request this at the next meeting (whenever they will send the appointment) !!

And also ASD Aspergers, we all know the difficulties that come with that, including sleep problems for Dan.

 

Lots of evidence went off to them both during the claim and more again during reconsideration,(From the child specialists, and MP and a supporting attachment from the NAS etc etc yet I do not believe these were even looked at !

 

I feel as soon as they read the school report that was it they didn't bother with the rest of it, that all states Dan's issues (all the negs from morning to sleep).

 

I need to send these back before the end of May, so I have some time to make sure all is covered, but I am hopeless to be honest with you, I need the letters I send to stand out so this will spring out at them and not to be overlooked.

 

Any experts on here to help me out ?

 

Maybe with the wordings to make it look good ? All I have told them so far is the honest truth, but I really don't think the claim and what was added in these forms have been taken notice of.

I will be glad of the help, I have tried DIAL but have not yet had any replies, my local CAB are useless !

And most others seem to be hard to get hold of. (i cannot load the help guide on bhas either).

 

Will be glad to hear from anyone who could maybe just advise me or of some links to help me deal with this appeal letters etc.

 

My MP have again sent in another letter to the DLA, and that is already with the DLA and have been for a week.

 

Many thanks to all.

Di xx

[bikergal]

I'm having the same problems as you and am now going for an oral tribunal hearing. They had the temerity to say after everything I told them and with all the evidence I sent that she needs no more help than any other 13 year old I don't want to hijack your thread but any advice regarding an advocate would be appreciated, I need to take someone with me to the hearing who can speak on my behalf, I have tried my local MIND but have had no reply. I know what you're going through...I have no idea what to put on the appeal form...I just can't seem to put it succintly enough. Anyway, best of luck with it. Did they refuse you dla totally or do you think you've been allocated the wrong rate? I've been given dla but not at the rate I think I should be getting...I'm not giving up this time. The first time she was given low mobility only and we had an almighty battle just to get that (reconsideration 4 times). <'>

[di30]

I'm having the same problems as you and am now going for an oral tribunal hearing. They had the temerity to say after everything I told them and with all the evidence I sent that she needs no more help than any other 13 year old I don't want to hijack your thread but any advice regarding an advocate would be appreciated, I need to take someone with me to the hearing who can speak on my behalf, I have tried my local MIND but have had no reply. I know what you're going through...I have no idea what to put on the appeal form...I just can't seem to put it succintly enough. Anyway, best of luck with it. Did they refuse you dla totally or do you think you've been allocated the wrong rate? I've been given dla but not at the rate I think I should be getting...I'm not giving up this time. The first time she was given low mobility only and we had an almighty battle just to get that (reconsideration 4 times). <'>

 

Hi and sorry to hear of what your going through too.

 

Unfortunately Dan's claim have been totally refused !! of where it has been through a 'reconsideration' and now the appeal.

I have never made a claim before, but was advised to in Dec 06 due to the amount of support and care we have to give for a person of his age.

 

Seems like all evidence sent are ignored. (apart from the school one of course) !! which is incorrect.

 

Hopefully someone will post a reply regarding an advocate shortly, like you I have the same problem.

 

I was informed it was he school report that let Dan's claim down, so I am trying to rectify this, and request a meeting with all staff concerned, nothing has ever changed, he has been receiving help & support at school ever since nursery, but I do feel the schools adds in the reports what they want others to see not to ruin a good name (if you know what I mean).

 

The DLA dept have informed me all evidence will be looked at again and if nothing changes it will be passed on to tribunal.

 

I do hope this gets sorted out for you soon, fingers crossed someone will come along shortly and advise us of the best options.

They have been great on here and sure we will get some feedback soon.

 

Fingers crossed to you, I will post back if I come to any conclusions.

Di x

[mum22boys]

Hi,

 

Do you have a local money advisory unit? Ours is attached to our local council and they help filling out forms for benefits etc. They also represent you at appeal, although i don't know if they only do this if you go through them from the beginning.

 

May be worth a try, although i know ours is usually very busy. You may get some advice though.

 

mum22boys

[di30]

Hi.

 

I will check this out with the council.

I know they advertise SNAPCYMRU regarding Parent support services, but to my knowledge I have not come across anything else.

 

I have been going over with what I wrote in for the appeal and have wrote a min of 13 pages, each under headings of Dan's issues and from morning to sleep etc, but I need it to spring out at them, so it will not be overlooked (hope not anyway), but i think too by writing as much as I did they may get bored and disregard it !!!

 

Hmmmm what do you think, I could highlight the main points, but yet there will be loads of highlighting to do too lol, Can't win can we !!

 

I have had problems trying to download the DLA appeal guidebook on a site i think called Bhas, as I am borrowing my sisters internet at present due to having problems with my own, and she hasn't the requirements for me to download.

 

Anyway thanks again and get back to you soon.

Di x

[chriss]

Hi,

 

Contact a family are great and they may have some ideas to help you.

 

Also do you have an autism link nurse or Autism Inniatives in your area. Has your Health Visitor helped at all? If not get them to write letters to back up your claim. Most CABs are good so is it worth visiting one further afield or asking your local branch to refer you to a specialist rather than a volunteer.

 

My son is the perfect pupil in school but it all comes out at home. I put this in his DLA form and they must have accepted it as we got middle rate care and low rate mobility. He has had reports from a Speech therapist and Occupational therapist which helps though. The more evidence you can get to back up your claim the better.

[di30]

Hi,

 

Contact a family are great and they may have some ideas to help you.

 

Also do you have an autism link nurse or Autism Inniatives in your area. Has your Health Visitor helped at all? If not get them to write letters to back up your claim. Most CABs are good so is it worth visiting one further afield or asking your local branch to refer you to a specialist rather than a volunteer.

 

My son is the perfect pupil in school but it all comes out at home. I put this in his DLA form and they must have accepted it as we got middle rate care and low rate mobility. He has had reports from a Speech therapist and Occupational therapist which helps though. The more evidence you can get to back up your claim the better.

 

Hi and cheers for your reply.

 

Glad it worked out for you.

 

I am hoping the dla will understand when i explain about when Dan is quiet and polite in school and when he's home we take the brunt of it and so on.

 

As much evidence I did send from specialists and everyone else who had supported Dan's claim I am sure was not looked at, it had taken just that one from the school to let it down.

I am aware a lot of claims are turned down due to school reports.

 

I was also informed by the dla the decision maker will look at the claim and evidence again, if the decision hasn't been changed then it will go on to tribunal.

Fingers crossed.

 

Cheers Di xx

[mum22boys]

Not sure if you have mentioned it or not.....but with M's claim i sent in the paragraph in Tony Attwoods book about the child being a jekyll and hyde character, ok at school and then different at home. I photocopied it and also the front cover of the book so they knew where it had come from.

 

mum22boys <'>

[di30]

Not sure if you have mentioned it or not.....but with M's claim i sent in the paragraph in Tony Attwoods book about the child being a jekyll and hyde character, ok at school and then different at home. I photocopied it and also the front cover of the book so they knew where it had come from.

 

mum22boys <'>

 

 

Hi mum22boys

 

Great idea !

 

 

Think i may add something similar, afterall his main care is at home !!

 

The NAS (national autistic society) when I got in touch with them, they sent an attachment statement to support Daniel's claim too, this is regarding explanations of ASD etc aspergers and how difficult life can be and all that.

When I sent this is during the 'reconsideration' stage, I don't think they had taken any of this into any consideration, they made up their minds up too quick as they only received this just before the decision was made.

 

Great idea of yours though.....well done !

 

I will keep you posted.

Cheers Di x