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This is probably going to be the first of many questions as I enter the murky depths of trying to fill in the DLA form so I hope you seasoned pros will bear with me. I'll update other stuff soon, but as you all said in your advice, DLA is the first thing I need to sort as it acts as an opener to other services. I'm getting some help to complete the forms, but I've been asked to download them and have a first go myself.

 

However, I've only got to something like page 6 (and there weren't questions on many of the early pages!!) and I'm stuck. :rolleyes:

 

On the page asking you to list disabilities, illnesses etc, it says how long have you had these. What do I put for ASD? I've had it all my life and will continue to do so but I was only dx'ed in 2007. What is the correct answer?

 

Thanks for your help - I'll try not to bug you all too much with too many questions, but the form's scary... :tearful:

 

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Hi Mumbe :thumbs:

 

I remember only too well what the form is like :blink: The trouble is its a general form, and not specifically for ASD, so some of the questions don't make a lot of sense. Personally, I would put that you've always had ASD, as you say it's a lifelong condition, and also maybe add the date of your dx. You can always write answers on a seperate sheet of paper if there's not enough space on the form.

 

Hope that helps >:D<<'>

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I remember only too well what the form is like :blink: The trouble is its a general form, and not specifically for ASD, so some of the questions don't make a lot of sense. Personally, I would put that you've always had ASD, as you say it's a lifelong condition, and also maybe add the date of your dx. You can always write answers on a seperate sheet of paper if there's not enough space on the form.

Thanks Nicky, I'll put both in - I think I've found what's going to kill me (the DLA form...).

 

The form's really really long and yet I have more to say than there is space to say it so I'm adding extra pages and making it even longer, plus the really useful NAS supplementary form (thanks for reminding me of that Smiley).

 

I don't like the way it's worded in a 'what you can't do' way - rather counterproductive when I'm supposed to be working on positive thinking and alternative thoughts :wacko: :wacko:

 

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I don't like the way it's worded in a 'what you can't do' way - rather counterproductive when I'm supposed to be working on positive thinking and alternative thoughts :wacko: :wacko:

 

I think that's the single worst thing about the form.

 

 

 

The form's really really long and yet I have more to say than there is space to say it so I'm adding extra pages and making it even longer

 

I ended up putting 'see seperate sheet' in answer to just about every question :o

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Mumble I did Js on PDF format and you can change the font size so squeeze more in it.

 

ASD is from birth as its a neurological developmental disorder, so if you have Autism dx Its birth.

 

What about getting someone from NAS to help you too, they have a welfare rights officer spersifically for DLA.

 

JsMumxxx

 

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just to warn you. if you state from birth the DWP can then use anything they have against you, no matter how old/outdated/irrelevant it is.

 

i would really really advise getting as much help as you can. i didn't get help with my forms, filled them all in wrong and have spent the last 18 months going through appeals and tribunals trying to fix it. ive now given up and am redoing the forms with help (very expensive mistake!)

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Mumble I did Js on PDF format and you can change the font size so squeeze more in it.

:lol: :lol: I'm doing that. I'm thinking of sending the form in with a magnifying glass wrapped up as a Christmas prezzie!! :lol: (that's a joke! - I think I'm better using extra sheets within a reasonable limit - the difficulty is that it's not just for ASD I'm doing it (in fact, that's probably secondary) even though I've been told I could have previously claimed just for that and trying to set out both how the different conditions affect me and how they interact to affect each other takes up space if I'm to do it in any logical way that makes sense.

 

What about getting someone from NAS to help you too, they have a welfare rights officer spersifically for DLA.

That's a very good idea - I'm just at the beginning of the process (though I know about the deadlines) so I'll get my first draft done for the person I'm seeing and also ask her about specific help as she has admitted she doesn't know much about ASDs (but was actually very good with me :thumbs:) - just to speed things up I may email her and the NAS people anyway so the initial contact has been made.

 

just to warn you. if you state from birth the DWP can then use anything they have against you, no matter how old/outdated/irrelevant it is.

Can you explain what you mean a bit more (if you don't mind) - either here or by PM. I've been told there's no case to answer for me not getting DLA (several people were quite shocked I hadn't been told about claiming, they all assumed I was so didn't ask... :rolleyes:) and have several people (professionals working with me in different capacities) (too many probably) who have said they will full support my application/write statements etc. What do you mean about using things against me? :unsure:

 

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The DLA form is horrible but the good news is, once you've done it, any other form filling you ever do in the future will seem a pleasure - almost. :lol: I suggest completing one page a day, preferably followed by a long rest in a darkened room surrounded by wine and chocolate.:rolleyes:

 

Re your question, I put something like "lifelong" for L although at some point I stated the date of the diagnosis.

 

Good luck and keep asking if you need help. I can probably dig out L's form and see what I wrote on a particular page if it helps.

 

K x

 

 

 

 

 

 

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in my case - they used a medical report taken when i tried to claim incapacity benefit 4 years ago due to what i thought at the time was severe depression (i'd had to quit university although i did go back after). they refused my claim and without any other options i went back to university to try again. then they started sending me letters threatening me if i didn't attend a medical about my claim (i'd never been paid any money). so i attended, he asked very limited questions which he then used to answer completely different questions on the DWP form. when i put in the DLA forms they then pulled this out and used it as evidence that i was lying on my forms, claiming it was relevant because i'd said my ASD was from birth. it was completely falsified, stated i went to the pub, restaurant, cinema etc weekly, and that i could drive when i can't. the DLA tribunal threw it out as out of date and the DWP didn't argue. but it took 6 appeals to the DWP with them refusing to remove it to get to that point!

 

my experience isn't most peoples, i dont know whats gone wrong on my case as noone can work out why they are behaving the way they are when they now have more than enough evidence to support my claim.

 

the other thing i would say would be make sure you get a letter onto your file with your GP stating that they can only send off paperwork after your approval. i dont know if this is common with GP surgeries but mine 'pool' paperwork onto one GP who has a smaller patient load. he then fills in all the paperwork whether he's that persons GP or not. he filled in my DLA from stating that i was fine, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary on my file. the DLA have since repeatedly refused to contact my actual GP to correct this. the tribunal then threw out the GP report because it was incorrect... then the next tribunal (it was adjourned for more evidence) they put it back in (dont quite know how that happened) but ignored my diagnosis report because they said it didn't sound believable!!

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I personally have not put on Js from birth but a friend with a child with Autism has and it was not disputed.

 

I personally for J put down his age when he first began with symptoms of his needs, so for J it was 18months old as this was when he started to socialise at playgroups, go out to venues and his behaviour was more noticeable and his impaired communication, he recieved DLA from five with no dx of anything only Speech and Language developmental delay and social and communication difficulties and severe behavioural problems.

 

It was only when he was seven did J get a dx so you do not need a dx, but you need to show where your needs are.

 

J recieves DLA until he is 16yrs old.

 

He only recently got a dx of ASD.

 

So me personally would say when your symptoms began to effect your day to day life.

 

Do get some proffessional help though and NAS have a printable DLA help advice sheet also.

 

As do MIND and Cerabra.

 

GoodLuck.

 

JsMumxxx

 

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I wrote "lifelong" on mine. No one has questioned it.

 

I don't know whether you have already been advised this, but it's a good idea to see your GP to discuss your application before you send it off - so that they are prepared when they receive the form they have to fill in. My GP actually rung me to discuss what he wrote on the form and I suggested some other important points, which he added.

 

My GP asked for a copy, and it's also a good idea to keep a copy for yourself because it will help you when you come to reapply.

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I don't know whether you have already been advised this, but it's a good idea to see your GP to discuss your application before you send it off - so that they are prepared when they receive the form they have to fill in. My GP actually rung me to discuss what he wrote on the form and I suggested some other important points, which he added.

I will definitely speak to my GP and go through the form with her - I am slightly concerned because being a university/campus surgery they'll have less experience of these plus my GP is from overseas so also may know less of the UK system, but I think as long as I talk it through it'll be OK. She already knows it's coming as I mentioned it briefly. I've also spoken to other people involved with me medically and they're all happy for me to put their details on the form. I don't know if the form people contact everyone you put down - if they do, they'll be very busy!!!

 

A few more questions (sorry :rolleyes:)

  1. On the 'Who have you seen about illness/disability in the last 12 months other than your GP' question do you have to list everyone? I would much rather not put my neurologist (some of the saga I wrote about on this forum...) down because although everyone else I've seen totally supports me I can just see her thinking it will be a great opportunity to be a complete b**ch (she had to back down and admit she'd written incorrect things on my notes and reissue clinical letters :o) and she could make things really hard for me by rejecting my claims (even though what I write will be the truth). She has actually discharged me so I am not seeing her again, but I have seen her several times in the last 12 months. Can I write some note on the sheet where I've given her contact details saying it's not appropriate to contact her (which is also true because now they've decided what's up I don't come under her specialism)?
  2. Can someone clarify the use of 'worst day' examples? Lots of advice I've read has said to think in terms of your worst day and give examples based on this, but then I have also read advice on another forum I read that warns against doing this and says if you do you can be charged with fraud (:o) because that's not true of what you are like every day. :unsure: So, do I write about an average me (which isn't easy as things are very variable/unpredictable) or give examples of what has happened which would be some of the worse things (but there are plenty of examples so it isn't a case of this happened once) but they don't happen all the time?
  3. Do you send in a copy of things like diagnostic reports with the form or is it that they write to the GP to confirm what you have written?
  4. I have huge side-effects as a result of some of my medication and these side-effects in themselves cause problems and have to be treated (medically). Do I add 'side-effects of medication' to the list of illnesses/disabilities or do I just describe these as relevant in the pages that follow? :unsure:

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Worst day sanario, is usually because as with my own son he is unpredictable and impulsive, and as he has mental health disorders his moods are also bad, good, up, down, but we cant anticipate when or where he has his worst days, so you describe them as to give a true reflection of there needs, its the same as a person with epilespy, some days they have a fit other days they dont but you still put seven days because you are not aware of when.

 

J has periods of time too where he can be having a good period but then all of a sudden he is distressed and anxous for a long period too, you have to prove your disability effects you for more than six months at a time.

 

But in that time you can still deteriate and require assesstance.

 

Worst days are J wont dress, eat, sleep, and his behaviour deteriates, and his mental health is severely effected but even on good days he requires supervision, assistance and support to organise, plan, prepare, and to ensure he is safe.

 

You dont have to name anyone in the section, as your medical notes will have your dx.

 

Yes name all your side effects as this will have implications of your safety and your physical functioning, operating machinay example, requiring assistance, ect.. even if you dont recieve it.

 

which is why they ask for side effects information.

 

NAS will greatly help you with all this information too so do ask their welfare right officer who is accessable by emails too.

 

JsMumxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1. No, you don't have to list anybody who you don't want them contacting. They will not check to see if you have seen people you have missed off, but they may contact anyone you write down.

 

2. You have to be honest about things, I think the "worst day" advice is really meant to stop you writing about your good days and taking the focus off your difficulties. Instead of saying things like, "I only feel well enough to cook my meals at the weekend," you should say, "I am unable to cook my own meals five days per week." If your illness is unpredictable, then you may need support available at all times, even though you may not necessarily need to make use of it. For example, if you may need help making a telephone call to make an emergency doctor appointment, you cannot schedule this help for a certain day or time, because you don't know when you might need help to make this telephone call. You can give examples based on your worst day, but what you can't do is claim that you need that level of support more than you do.

 

3. You don't need to send anything extra, but if you think it makes important points about your support needs, then it may be worthwhile. They contact your GP for confirmation, but your GP actually writes very little and does not have to tell you what he has written.

 

4. Personally, I would add these on your list of diagnoses. It is not factually incorrect, and the assessor can disregard it from the list if that is how they do things. It is better to write too much than risk missing out important details.

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Thanks, this is all really helpful. :thumbs: It really is a heck of a form. :(

 

Afraid I have another question. :rolleyes:

 

Where do I write about difficulties when outside/with mobility but not related to walking? The mobility bit all asks about issues related to walking but what about say difficulties related to using public transport, particularly for instance because of sensory difficulties? :unsure:

 

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That bit is really awkward and you almost have to 'twist' your answers to fit the questions.

 

On the question about walking speed, I've written that I walk very slow if there are sensory distractions such as passing cars or crowds of people. On the question that asks you to describe the way you walk I've written about sensory processing/dyspraxia issues causing me to fall, trip and walk into other pedestrians. In the question about physical support to help you walk, you can talk about needing someone to guide you around obstacles.

 

A good place to write about your difficulties with public transport would probably be briefly in Q34 (about needing someone to guide or supervise you when walking outdoors in unfamiliar places) and more thoroughly in Q36 (anything else . . . )

 

If your illness can be unpredictable, it's worth mentioning that you need someone with you at all times in case your illness causes you to need help to get home (or even to decide whether you need to leave your plans and go home . . . since autism might lead you to think you have to carry in with your plans). You can talk about the difficulties if you needed to approach a shop assistant or to ask a stranger for directions. Your autism may cause you difficulties asking for the right kind of help if your other illness were to come on while you were out.

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:thumbs: Thanks Tally - right, that's the 'outdoors' bit done, only took most of the day longer than I'd put aside to do it :( Oh goodie <sarcasm to the extreme>, that means I get to do the rest of the form this weekend :(

 

At least the care bit does fit beter with ASD and my medical diagnoses so should in theory be a little easier to complete. :unsure:

 

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:clap: :clap: :clap: First draft complete, all supporting documents found and sorted and copied, file with scans of everything in it put together on my computer, just need to get supporting statement from my psych which she's agreed to, talk to GP, and email form to my welfare adviser and wait to be told I've done it all wrong... :unsure:

 

I'm glad I'm not going to have to pay postage to send it, it's several trees thick... :oops: I shall fore-go a Christmas tree this year to make up for it. :( Talking of postage, does anyone know where 'London' people send their forms, I can't work out the map of areas... :unsure:

 

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Hi Mumble

Good luck with the form it truly is an awful form :( Also you probably know but it can take quite a while before you hear anything so dont worry, and if you were to phone them ( or get someone else to) it is always very busy so you would be on hold for a long time. >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

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:clap: :clap: :clap: First draft complete, all supporting documents found and sorted and copied, file with scans of everything in it put together on my computer, just need to get supporting statement from my psych which she's agreed to, talk to GP, and email form to my welfare adviser and wait to be told I've done it all wrong... :unsure:

 

I'm glad I'm not going to have to pay postage to send it, it's several trees thick... :oops: I shall fore-go a Christmas tree this year to make up for it. :( Talking of postage, does anyone know where 'London' people send their forms, I can't work out the map of areas... :unsure:

 

 

Hi, I personally did pay for the postage as I did it by signed delivery as I wanted to ensure the package got to the desitnation ok. I also photocopied everything I sent and kept in a file.

 

Dont worry this time if you havent paid for signed postage but its worth remembering in future or if anyone else is solely relying on the freepostage.

 

Good Luck with your forms, I dont think youll of done it wrong, youve done more than many people you actually filled it in which is a real achievement.

 

JsMumxxxx

 

 

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AAGGHH!!! We have reached that awful time again and I so wish I had taken a copy of the last one!!

 

I also just realised the form was sent in the summer and I put it to one side and promptly forgot all about it until I got a letter saying OJ's allowance will stop on 2nd January!! And to make it worse they had sent me the wrong form so I can't do anything until I get the right form - oh well my Christmas cards will have to wait!!

 

Stella xx

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i get some help from citizens advice GP , any other services /professionals you involved with ...... this web link may help u out alot with tips and info :

 

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1561&a=7788

 

good luck

fingers crossed for you

XKLX

 

At the bottom of that weblink is a "supplementary" downloadable form. i strongly suggest you do this as it will help you fill in the

answers to the questions.

 

For ASD you can put "from birth congenital" since you've had it all your life. Or you could put your date of birth but i think it might confused them.

As for pestering us with DLA forms im sure the mods wouldn't object to some debate on this issue. Think about it as helping others who get stuck

with this form later on.

 

When i helped a mate to fill in his DLA review, i printed out the "taking responsibility" download (google it with "asperger syndrome" you should find it that way as ive lost the link!) on the practical support services i would underline anything that applies to you then make sure you enter it on your application.

So if voices resound in your head put that you have a problem with your hearing. mention anything about being easily distracted especially in the cooking question if neccessary and dont forget to photocopy the form so you can include that infomraiton next time.

 

Good luck and PM me anytime if you get stuck on a question. i can give you a hand in interpretting it.

 

Alexis

 

Alexis

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Thanks Nicky, I'll put both in - I think I've found what's going to kill me (the DLA form...).

 

The form's really really long and yet I have more to say than there is space to say it so I'm adding extra pages and making it even longer, plus the really useful NAS supplementary form (thanks for reminding me of that Smiley).

 

I don't like the way it's worded in a 'what you can't do' way - rather counterproductive when I'm supposed to be working on positive thinking and alternative thoughts :wacko: :wacko:

 

Plan something to do afterwards as it is a very depressing form. Whether that be going on jokes.com or enjoying your hobbies until the feeling eases.

Another idea is to write what you like about yourself and put it up in your house. i asked gran to do that on a really depressing day recently.

 

Alexis

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just to warn you. if you state from birth the DWP can then use anything they have against you, no matter how old/outdated/irrelevant it is.

 

i would really really advise getting as much help as you can. i didn't get help with my forms, filled them all in wrong and have spent the last 18 months going through appeals and tribunals trying to fix it. ive now given up and am redoing the forms with help (very expensive mistake!)

 

What makes you think that they will use stuff against you? Unless you mean a previously psychiatric misdiagnosis? They dont know about my

OCD/fibro/dyslexia difficulties and they have no connections with social services and the like. In fact they are so disjointed that they have no idea what income support, incapacity, severe disablement allowance (no longer available to new claimants) departments are doing hence the saying the same thing 3 times over situation.

 

After so long a new claimant can be made without an appeal but im not sure what the gap is between the old claimant being refused and the new application being made.

 

Alexis

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:lol: :lol: I'm doing that. I'm thinking of sending the form in with a magnifying glass wrapped up as a Christmas prezzie!! :lol: (that's a joke! - I think I'm better using extra sheets within a reasonable limit - the difficulty is that it's not just for ASD I'm doing it (in fact, that's probably secondary) even though I've been told I could have previously claimed just for that and trying to set out both how the different conditions affect me and how they interact to affect each other takes up space if I'm to do it in any logical way that makes sense.

 

If you live near the Bristol area then im happy to give you a hand filling in the DLA form. i know of a welfare advisor on another forum who ive just asked about whether to put congenital and how to describe how your disabilities all interact with each other. The NAS has produced in this edition of communication magazine a booklet about disability benefits.

That's a very good idea - I'm just at the beginning of the process (though I know about the deadlines) so I'll get my first draft done for the person I'm seeing and also ask her about specific help as she has admitted she doesn't know much about ASDs (but was actually very good with me :thumbs:) - just to speed things up I may email her and the NAS people anyway so the initial contact has been made.

 

Be careful about accepting help from someone with limited knowledge of ASDs. She seems willing to learn which i would take as a good sign. Show her all the information from the NAS and if you can get a copy the "taking responsibility" report.

Can you explain what you mean a bit more (if you don't mind) - either here or by PM. I've been told there's no case to answer for me not getting DLA (several people were quite shocked I hadn't been told about claiming, they all assumed I was so didn't ask... :rolleyes:) and have several people (professionals working with me in different capacities) (too many probably) who have said they will full support my application/write statements etc. What do you mean about using things against me? :unsure:

 

This is what really irks me about ASD diagnosis (not been given helpful information). We should be given a DLA leaflet when we get the diagnosis along with information on the NAS and referrals to the HELP! program, grrrr

 

Alexis

 

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trekster, if i put up some of the questions i get stuck on can you give me some advice on what they want? the support i was meant to be getting filling in this form is no good so i've got to plough through it all on my own, and obviously that didn't work out so well last time! the advice you've given mumble has been really helpful so far

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in my case - they used a medical report taken when i tried to claim incapacity benefit 4 years ago due to what i thought at the time was severe depression (i'd had to quit university although i did go back after). they refused my claim and without any other options i went back to university to try again. then they started sending me letters threatening me if i didn't attend a medical about my claim (i'd never been paid any money). so i attended, he asked very limited questions which he then used to answer completely different questions on the DWP form. when i put in the DLA forms they then pulled this out and used it as evidence that i was lying on my forms, claiming it was relevant because i'd said my ASD was from birth. it was completely falsified, stated i went to the pub, restaurant, cinema etc weekly, and that i could drive when i can't. the DLA tribunal threw it out as out of date and the DWP didn't argue. but it took 6 appeals to the DWP with them refusing to remove it to get to that point!

 

You were extremely unfortunate to have a rogue twisted group of people trying to 'help' you claim DLA. The medical was to see if you could claim incap, the system was so screwed in the times of the 80s when a bad back was enough to get you incap. Why did you attempt to claim them both at the same time? i also had a severely distressing experience with an income support over the phone interview. ive been unable to independently claim income support ever since. They printed a transcript and put "N/A" on a lot of the questions they never bothered to ask. i wrote a stern letter and the information was overturned.

my experience isn't most peoples, i dont know whats gone wrong on my case as no one can work out why they are behaving the way they are when they now have more than enough evidence to support my claim.

 

They are mean sneaks that dont understand ASD and treat you as faking it due to their lack of knowledge. The EHRC can help you if you need to make an official complaint about these workers?

the other thing i would say would be make sure you get a letter onto your file with your GP stating that they can only send off paperwork after your approval. i dont know if this is common with GP surgeries but mine 'pool' paperwork onto one GP who has a smaller patient load. he then fills in all the paperwork whether he's that persons GP or not. he filled in my DLA from stating that i was fine, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary on my file. the DLA have since repeatedly refused to contact my actual GP to correct this. the tribunal then threw out the GP report because it was incorrect... then the next tribunal (it was adjourned for more evidence) they put it back in (dont quite know how that happened) but ignored my diagnosis report because they said it didn't sound believable!!

 

Interesting comment about GP and paperwork, for driving licence applications (sorry bit of a tangent) they ask for your permission and you sign the piece of paper.

 

Alexis

 

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Thanks Trekster, this is all great :thumbs:

 

I saw my welfare adviser today and we spend a long time going through it all page by page, question by question, checking everything and making sure it all cross-referenced appropriately and that there were no contradictions. She was impressed with what I'd done, so I told her I had wonderful people (you lot :) ) to help me out :thumbs:

 

You know what made me really quite cross though - she's literally just been on a course on helping claimants with the DLA form and she had a booklet all about how best to fill in the form (which we checked various things with) - there shouldn't be some almost secret book though, it should be an open and transparent process so that those most in need get it, not those that can find the support and/or work the system to write the 'right' things :wallbash:

 

I've got a few amendments to make, she thought I could say a few things more strongly and felt some of my needs were probably more than I had said they were (or wanted to admit they were :tearful:), plus I got another dx from my GP today :tearful: which I was expecting but I didn't put down as I hadn't had it confirmed, but I've been told to add that.

 

I have some (more) questions about the process more generally now, as I'm hoping to get this sent off by the end of the week:

 

1. What format does the report requested from the GP take? I spoke to my GP today, she hasn't done one before but she's fully supportive of my application. We've booked an extra long appointment for the beginning of the new term before most of the students are back to basically do whatever they request of her if she has it by then or for me to go through what I have written and the most important points for when she gets the form - it would be helpful if I knew what sort of things they would want so I could make it easy to find these :unsure:

 

2. Medical - how often are these requested and how scary are they? I'm terrified of them asking to do one, not because I'm worried about what I've written which is the truth, but because of the actual process of doing it and having a strange person (a doctor type person too just to freak me out more) coming to my room and me not being able to cope with/understand them and so not come across right or worse still freaking out completely :( It says about having someone with you, but I don't have anyone to ask. :tearful:

 

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I have some (more) questions about the process more generally now, as I'm hoping to get this sent off by the end of the week:

 

1. What format does the report requested from the GP take? I spoke to my GP today, she hasn't done one before but she's fully supportive of my application. We've booked an extra long appointment for the beginning of the new term before most of the students are back to basically do whatever they request of her if she has it by then or for me to go through what I have written and the most important points for when she gets the form - it would be helpful if I knew what sort of things they would want so I could make it easy to find these :unsure:

i'll dig mine out later and copy out the exact questions for you but... its the typicl DLA format, is a doublel sided page which unless you read between the lines is solely based on physical needs. if i remmeber correctly it asks for a list of medical conditions, what symptoms these cause (to which the ever helpful doctor put 'none') etc. its not very detailed and unless you know to attack it sideways on its hard to put anything in answer to the questions about mental issues. i'll go get my folder in a minute and copy it out so you know exactly.

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okay, ive found it it is as follows -

date when patient last seen -

1) diagnosis of the disabling conditions (do not include minor transient conditions)

 

2) please give brief details of hisory of condition(s) stating whether they are mild, moderate, or severe, in your answer. include details of any relevant special investigations.

 

3) day to day variation of the condition(s) (if any) including frequency and duration of exacerbations

 

4)relevant clinical findings - for example, visual acuities, hearing, ausultatory findings, peak flow, range of joint movement, muscle wasting, SLR, reflexes, extend of breathlessness.

 

5) treatment - current treatment including medication and dosage, response to treatment including control of condition and prognosis

 

6)please give details, IF KNOWN,, of the effects of the disabling conditions on day to day life

a) self care - for example washing, dressing, feeding, using the toilet, continence, and ability to rise from the chair

B) insight and awareness of danger

c) ability to get around including pain, gait, balance, breathlessness and visual loss

 

please add any furthur details you think would be helpful to the department when deciding on this claim

 

 

hope that helps! i called the DLA line today to ask for an extension on my form because the deadline is christmas eve and i'd have to post it so far in advance and dont have my support worker etc. and they just said to send it in when i could and put a note on about why! :thumbs:

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date when patient last seen -

1) diagnosis of the disabling conditions (do not include minor transient conditions)

 

2) please give brief details of hisory of condition(s) stating whether they are mild, moderate, or severe, in your answer. include details of any relevant special investigations.

 

3) day to day variation of the condition(s) (if any) including frequency and duration of exacerbations

 

4)relevant clinical findings - for example, visual acuities, hearing, ausultatory findings, peak flow, range of joint movement, muscle wasting, SLR, reflexes, extend of breathlessness.

 

5) treatment - current treatment including medication and dosage, response to treatment including control of condition and prognosis

 

6)please give details, IF KNOWN,, of the effects of the disabling conditions on day to day life

a) self care - for example washing, dressing, feeding, using the toilet, continence, and ability to rise from the chair

B.) insight and awareness of danger

c) ability to get around including pain, gait, balance, breathlessness and visual loss

 

please add any furthur details you think would be helpful to the department when deciding on this claim

That's brilliant (well it's not, it's bloomin' useless for ASDs and pretty much anything non-physical :rolleyes::wallbash:), but very helpful, thanks as I know what the key things are I need to write down to ensure they get included or that she might ask me in doing the form :thumbs: :thumbs:

 

The medical (physical) stuff will be fine, it's just making sure she realises the importance of the ASD etc stuff as well because I think looking at that there would be a tendency to read it from a physical angle.

 

Some of these questions could take a while to answer... :wacko::lol: :lol:

 

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Great news!! :thumbs: :thumbs:

 

I got my award letter from the DWP today - lower mobility and higher care :thumbs: No medical, no further assessment, no GP forms, no nothing, they had enough info from the multiple consultant letters I included with the form. :thumbs:

 

I'm relieved because I was terrified about having to go through a medical especially with someone I didn't know and being a total gibbering wreck (maybe that would have helped!! :rolleyes:) but I'm also feeling a bit 'odd' (hey, quiet at the back, I heard that :shame:) in a similar way I did post-dx, because it sort of proves that I do need a fairly substantial amount of help and that I am 'different'. :tearful:

 

One question - they've awarded it for two years - is this normal? Am I going to have to go through this whole joyful process every two years (assuming I don't either win the lottery or a miracle cure isn't discovered in the meantime :D)

 

Thanks everyone for all the time you've taken to help me with my multiple silly questions in trying to complete the form - I wouldn't have got through it without your support. :notworthy: :notworthy:

 

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Hi Mumble

 

Thats really great news!!! I understand the feeling you describe as thats exactly how I felt about OJ when we got his DLA.

We got ours awarded last week. I was terrified we wouldn't get it again because I had forgotten to fill the form out in the summer and didn't remember til I got the letter saying they had stopped it! I thought they might think we weren't bothered and not award it again!!

 

Stella xx

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Excellent news.

 

I felt similar to you when I got awarded DLA. You've had your difficulties officially recognised - that's a positive thing, but it is something that takes a little coming to terms with.

 

I was also awarded DLA for two years. I have conditions other than ASD which can be treated, and so I might get better and not qualify for DLA (or qualify for different bands). I think it's fairly normal to award it for a shorter period the first time. They might award it for longer next time if it becomes apparent that your needs aren't going to change.

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Thanks Stella and Tally :)

 

One quick question - I suspect I'm being over-literal in my interpretation of this, but I'm not sure how else to interpret it. It says in the guidance booklet I got with my award letter that I have to tell them straight away if I 'go into or come out of a NHS hospital'. They've put this in bold so it must be important.

 

What do they count as a hospital stay they need to know about - is this more about long term care? I have fairly regular hospital admissions lasting anything from 4 - 10 days but these are generally emergency admissions, not planned admissions. Do they want me to tell them about each of these? How much trouble will I be in if I don't tell them immediately when I go in, because sometimes I don't have access to a way of telling them, or I'm not well enough to be communicating at all. :unsure:

 

I apparently also have to tell them straight away if I die - now that would be a good party trick :ph34r: - anyone know a good medium I can have on standby just in case? :unsure::devil:

 

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I've always interpreted this to mean extended hospital stays or long-term care, but I'm not certain.

 

I wouldn't think you would get into trouble that quickly if you didn't tell them. You might have to re-pay overpayments you hadn't been entitled to, but I don't think they'd consider it fraud if you'd been unable to tell them.

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I've always interpreted this to mean extended hospital stays or long-term care, but I'm not certain.

 

I wouldn't think you would get into trouble that quickly if you didn't tell them. You might have to re-pay overpayments you hadn't been entitled to, but I don't think they'd consider it fraud if you'd been unable to tell them.

 

DLA guidelines are that they may suspend payments if you are in hospital for two weeks or more. So definitely tell them about that - other benefits are affected too. the odd day here and there does not really matter, unless you think you are under investigation for some reason........

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That's really good news. :thumbs:

 

My daughter got DLA when she was 15 so not sure what happens if you apply as an adult. We had to fill in another form after 3 years and it was then awarded "indefinitely" whatever that means. Just ensure you keep copies of the form you sent, then you can repeat it all again when the time comes to renew.

 

Regarding the time in hospital - it's the same if a child is at residential school: they deduct a certain amount of money for the time you're away, but I'm not sure how it works - maybe someone with experience can explain. Obviously you can't tell them in advance when you're going in so maybe it would be a good idea to email them to ask what you should do if/when that happens?

 

K x

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DLA guidelines are that they may suspend payments if you are in hospital for two weeks or more. So definitely tell them about that - other benefits are affected too. the odd day here and there does not really matter, unless you think you are under investigation for some reason........

Thanks - hopefully (need a fingers crossed emoticon :lol:) I'll avoid longer stays - last week was quite enough for the time being thank you.

 

Obviously you can't tell them in advance when you're going in so maybe it would be a good idea to email them to ask what you should do if/when that happens?

Good idea - except they don't accept email enquiries... :rolleyes: - I'll ask my welfare adviser as I'm seeing her next week - she may be able to phone them for clarification and if not, I'll write them a letter. I just don't want to get into trouble accidentally (I'm quite good at that!! :rolleyes:) for doing the wrong thing.

 

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