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Advice for DLA renewal
- Patrick
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10 years 8 months ago - 10 years 8 months ago #124934 by Patrick
Advice for DLA renewal was created by Patrick
I've just had my form through for DLA renewal for early next year. I know some are getting PIP but maybe it's because I've already been on it four years?
Anyway I currently receive low rate mobility and middle rate care. I've been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder, and at the time of the last award I'd had a spell of a few months in first hospital then some residential living place so was obviously well qualified to recieve at least that. I also was seeing a CPN and social worker etc.
I've not been in hospital since and no longer have a CPN actively seeing me, and just before the renewal form came through my psychiatrist released me or whatever you call it. Basically iot was the first time I'd seen him, my previous one having been mine for five years which was from the time my health first went bad and I was hospitalised.
What will I be entitled to now? I'm worried it will be reduced, in some ways it could be argued it should be as I am not as bad as I was then but I am not well enough to work. My situation is complicated by having hormonal problems brought on by past pharmaceutical drug use which increase my tiredness, memory problems, concentartion and all round 'brain fog'. I also from this had issues with muscle wastage and weakness but it's barely considered as an official sickness so I guess I shouldn't even mention it.
The only thing I can use in my favour as proof is my use of quitiapine and my diagnosis. I haven't seen a CPN for a while and now don't see a psychiatrist. I'm worried if they reduce it my ESA would be next. Will I have a good chance of still getting what I currently get? Also, my social worker filled in the form last time.
Anyway I currently receive low rate mobility and middle rate care. I've been diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder, and at the time of the last award I'd had a spell of a few months in first hospital then some residential living place so was obviously well qualified to recieve at least that. I also was seeing a CPN and social worker etc.
I've not been in hospital since and no longer have a CPN actively seeing me, and just before the renewal form came through my psychiatrist released me or whatever you call it. Basically iot was the first time I'd seen him, my previous one having been mine for five years which was from the time my health first went bad and I was hospitalised.
What will I be entitled to now? I'm worried it will be reduced, in some ways it could be argued it should be as I am not as bad as I was then but I am not well enough to work. My situation is complicated by having hormonal problems brought on by past pharmaceutical drug use which increase my tiredness, memory problems, concentartion and all round 'brain fog'. I also from this had issues with muscle wastage and weakness but it's barely considered as an official sickness so I guess I shouldn't even mention it.
The only thing I can use in my favour as proof is my use of quitiapine and my diagnosis. I haven't seen a CPN for a while and now don't see a psychiatrist. I'm worried if they reduce it my ESA would be next. Will I have a good chance of still getting what I currently get? Also, my social worker filled in the form last time.
Last edit: 10 years 8 months ago by Gordon.
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10 years 8 months ago #124940 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Advice for DLA renewal
Patrick
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
If you have received a DLA renewal then it is because you are not in an active PIP area at this time. You must ensure that the forms are returned to the DWP before your current award ends or your claim will be closed.
DLA is awarded for the claimant Care and/or Mobility needs not because they have a particular condition, also, DLA does not specifically consider whether claimant can work or not.
From your post you suggest that your conditions are not as bad as they were, whilst this may mean that your Care and mobility needs have reduced, it is not a foregone conclusion that they have. Also, the fact that you have been discharged by your psychiatrist may simply be because your conditions are now stable, not cured.
Do you still have the DLA forms from your previous assessment? If you do they will give you some idea as to how you qualified, you can then see how relevant each statement is to your current situation.
I would start by having a read of our DLA renewal guide
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaclaims
this explains what each of the questions on the renewal form are actually referring to and gives example answers based on a number of conditions.
Please don't assume that anything is irrelevant (e.g. you muscle wastage), if it contributes to your Care or Mobility needs, even in part, then it should be mentioned on the form.
If you have any questions on the above, then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
If you have received a DLA renewal then it is because you are not in an active PIP area at this time. You must ensure that the forms are returned to the DWP before your current award ends or your claim will be closed.
DLA is awarded for the claimant Care and/or Mobility needs not because they have a particular condition, also, DLA does not specifically consider whether claimant can work or not.
From your post you suggest that your conditions are not as bad as they were, whilst this may mean that your Care and mobility needs have reduced, it is not a foregone conclusion that they have. Also, the fact that you have been discharged by your psychiatrist may simply be because your conditions are now stable, not cured.
Do you still have the DLA forms from your previous assessment? If you do they will give you some idea as to how you qualified, you can then see how relevant each statement is to your current situation.
I would start by having a read of our DLA renewal guide
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaclaims
this explains what each of the questions on the renewal form are actually referring to and gives example answers based on a number of conditions.
Please don't assume that anything is irrelevant (e.g. you muscle wastage), if it contributes to your Care or Mobility needs, even in part, then it should be mentioned on the form.
If you have any questions on the above, then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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10 years 8 months ago - 10 years 8 months ago #124945 by Patrick
Replied by Patrick on topic Advice for DLA renewal
Thanks for the reply.
My old social worker completed the last form and I haven't been in contact with them for at about three years, is it standard practice for them to keep a copy of the form?
My old social worker completed the last form and I haven't been in contact with them for at about three years, is it standard practice for them to keep a copy of the form?
Last edit: 10 years 8 months ago by Gordon.
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10 years 8 months ago #124948 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Advice for DLA renewal
Patrick
They may still have it bit the DWP often destroy documents after 13 months. I would issue a SAR, because if it is still available it will be in offsite storage.
See :
SAR :
www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/request-for-personal-information.rtf
From this page :
www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/
They have 40 calendar days to respond so it will not be quick so I would not wait for it to arrive before starting a draft response to the form.
Gordon
They may still have it bit the DWP often destroy documents after 13 months. I would issue a SAR, because if it is still available it will be in offsite storage.
See :
SAR :
www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/request-for-personal-information.rtf
From this page :
www.dwp.gov.uk/privacy-policy/data-protection/
They have 40 calendar days to respond so it will not be quick so I would not wait for it to arrive before starting a draft response to the form.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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10 years 6 months ago #126319 by Patrick
Replied by Patrick on topic Advice for DLA renewal
Just to bump this, I saw a local Welfare Rights Officer about this earlier in the week. Turns out it was she who had filled in the last form which got me awarded three years DLA. Does this mean I'm more likely to see it renewed with such help? And how long are claims taking to process just now?
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10 years 6 months ago - 10 years 6 months ago #126323 by Gordon
To be honest there is no way for us to be able to predict this or not, the assistance of a trained advisor usually improves the likelihood of an award, however, advisors have significantly less time available to spend on an individual client than they did three years ago, so you need to be certain that they can do the best job they can for you.
Most DLA renewals are taking about 11 weeks with many being done much quicker than this.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Advice for DLA renewal
Patrick wrote: Just to bump this, I saw a local Welfare Rights Officer about this earlier in the week. Turns out it was she who had filled in the last form which got me awarded three years DLA. Does this mean I'm more likely to see it renewed with such help? And how long are claims taking to process just now?
To be honest there is no way for us to be able to predict this or not, the assistance of a trained advisor usually improves the likelihood of an award, however, advisors have significantly less time available to spend on an individual client than they did three years ago, so you need to be certain that they can do the best job they can for you.
Most DLA renewals are taking about 11 weeks with many being done much quicker than this.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 10 years 6 months ago by Gordon.
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