First time DLA application

[MumTee]

Just got our letter to say we've been turned down for DLA - I know I've seen good tips on here for going to appeal - in particular, has anyone got good experience of a body I can go to for some support? Or some of the latest buzzwords?

I expected to get turned down, but it was still a blow -

I've searched on some of the threads but cant seem to find what I need - any help appreciated

[Helen]

So sorry to hear your news MT

 

If you put the words Welfare Benefit into Krism's search engine a few threads will appear. Some mention Welfare Rights officers etc.

[lisa]

Try contacting Welfare Rights in your area. We found them really helpful, alternatively MENCAP were also brilliant. We've claimed for two AS kids, my son was awarded high care/low mobility first time, MENCAP filled the form in for me. My daughter was turned down at first, MENCAP and Welfare Rights helped me and we were successful in asking them to reconsider so didn't have to go to appeal.

 

Basically the advice they gave me was to contact the DLA and ask for a copy of all the information they used to make their decision. We did this and then realised she'd been turned down because of the school's evidence. We wrote to DLA and said we would be sending further evidence and not to make a reconsideration until they'd received the extra stuff. We then wrote a letter challenging the school's evidence and explained why we didn't agree with their information. We then gave a list of names, telephone numbers and addresses of all the professionals who have contact with my daughter who would be able to confirm our evidence. MENCAP looked through all the reports we have on L and then chose a couple to send. Luckily DLA then overturned their original decision and awarded L high rate care/low mobility. The SENCO's face was a picture when we informed her that her sabotage of our claim had failed. When she'd filled in the form she obviously thought that no one would be any the wiser and would ever see how she'd filled in this form. The headteacher has assured me that the SENCO will no longer be filling in DLA forms!!

 

Good Luck.

 

Lisa

[Flora]

Mumtee, I got turned down twice. The first time I did nothing. The second time I rang them and asked them to reconsider their decision, I followed the phone call up with a huge pile of extra evidence which I sent by special delivery and my MP wrote them a letter complaining on my behalf. Within 4 days they rang me at home to tell me they were awarding my son DLA for 4 years until he's 16.

 

Lauren

[phasmid]

Phone your local Citizens Advice Bureau (how DO you spell that ruddy word?) and ask to have an appointment with their benefits specialist. They sorted our claims out.

[MumTee]

Thanks for the tips - have asked for reconsideration and spent ALL DAY chasing people up to get support letters and starting a diary.

 

Is it me, or is this just a completely draining, demoralizing and innapropriate process for someone to go through when they need all their energy for their child?

 

Are there any campaigns around to try and make this process better for parents of autistic children? I dont have the energy to change the world by myself right now but I'll jump on a bandwagon if I can find one.......

[Hectorshouse]

Mum-Tee found this and thought it might be of interest to you....

 

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forums/

[Flora]

Is it me, or is this just a completely draining, demoralizing and innapropriate process for someone to go through when they need all their energy for their child?

It's not just you. I'm sure most have felt like this at times; I know I have regularly. Sometimes I just feel like throwing in the towel, but then I look at my son and think of his future and that gives me new determination.

 

Don't give up on the DLA. There are many people who do give up, and that, in my opinion is what the DWP are relying on. Don't be one of those people; all the effort you are making now will be worth it eventually. Make sure you get as much in the post today as you can (send it by special delivery) and if you're waiting for more, tell them you have more to come and will be sending it asap. Put all correspondence to 'The person involved in the reconsideration of the decision not to award **** DLA Ref number *****.' That way, and by sending it by special delivery, there is less likelyhood of it going astray.

 

Write to your MP asap, you can usually email them. Ask them to intervene on your behalf.

 

Just don't give up.

 

Lauren