DLA Assessment at home

I first made an application for DLA last February, there have been many refusals and after sending more and more medical evidence, change of circumstances and situation it finally went to tribunal, I declined attending! I dont think I could take the stress at being interrogated and Ive had plenty of stress over the last year for other reasons as well as health related.
Anyway tribunal requested further medical evidence and has also arranged a visit, Friday 16th, by a medical person who will be doing a medical examination.
If there is anyone who is familiar with this, as an examination to me means being examined! this cant be right as this person will not be fully aware of what my condition is although Im sure he will have it in writing, I dont want anyone 'examining' me!
I have printed out the '70 questions' and will be prepared for anything he asks.
Funny situation to be in. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks

Rubyred wrote:

I first made an application for DLA last February, there have been many refusals and after sending more and more medical evidence, change of circumstances and situation it finally went to tribunal, I declined attending! I dont think I could take the stress at being interrogated and Ive had plenty of stress over the last year for other reasons as well as health related.
Anyway tribunal requested further medical evidence and has also arranged a visit, Friday 16th, by a medical person who will be doing a medical examination.
If there is anyone who is familiar with this, as an examination to me means being examined! this cant be right as this person will not be fully aware of what my condition is although Im sure he will have it in writing, I dont want anyone 'examining' me!
I have printed out the '70 questions' and will be prepared for anything he asks.
Funny situation to be in. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks

Hi Rubyred

You say you did not attend a DLA tribunal. Therefore the tribunal would appear to have asked Medical Services to provide information on how your disability affects you. Had you attended they would have asked you how your disability affects you and the help you need.

It might be that they need this information as your claim form relies on Medical conditions and does not properly explain the help you need from someone else, (the needs arising). Its the help you need from someone else and not just the medical condition you have, that may lead to an award of a component of DLA.

The visiting medical assessor will have details of your claim. They can ask you to perform certain tasks and ask questions and you may be examined, as you will see from the B&W guide, you have downloaded.

If you refuse its likely that your refusal will result in your claim for DLA being refused. Although you should not be asked to do anything you cant do.

May I suggest that you read throught the B&W guides to claiming DLA and how to appeal here -

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaclaims

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaappeals

Regards

Michael

Thanks for the replies.
I didnt feel I could attend a hearing as I have been having anxiety attacks for months due to other things, but I am very emotional due to my loss of independence and abilities.
Im not sure how an assessor can examine me to decide how I can best do tasks, I dont have a problem with this but do have a spinal and now a hip problem which I have recently been examined for by a specialist and this caused me enough problems.
Just have to see how it goes!

Rubyred wrote:

Thanks for the replies.
I didnt feel I could attend a hearing as I have been having anxiety attacks for months due to other things, but I am very emotional due to my loss of independence and abilities.
Im not sure how an assessor can examine me to decide how I can best do tasks, I dont have a problem with this but do have a spinal and now a hip problem which I have recently been examined for by a specialist and this caused me enough problems.
Just have to see how it goes!

Hi

You need to explain all this to the assessor and how it affects you and the help you need from someone else. You do not actually have to get that help, its the needs arising that matter.

Although we can not say for certain, you may not be physically examined. You will need to explain why this is at the time. As before, there is a possibilty that it could be treated as a refusal and your claim turned down as a result.

If you have been seen by a specialist and you can obtain a supportive letter, this may be of help, if you appeal.

If you do appeal, your claim will be reconsidered first. If appealing you will need to complete form GL24.

Please see -

How to submit an appeal

Regards

Well, he came, was here about an hour and then went.

Very uneventful!
Asked questions which were relevant, didnt particularly want me to expand on anything.

I do a similiar job and personally wouldnt have felt I had acquired enough information, but he did request the answer to the question only.
Not rude but direct and undeviating.

We'll see!