Carrying on dla appeal or starting a new claim

Hi everyone this is my first time to the forum,so pleae forgive me if i have post this in the wrong section.

I had a claim for renewing my dla refused, i have had a reconsideration and it was still refused.So i filled in the form for a appeal.
My claim is due to be heard sometime in April 2012. I have yet to do the submission statement.
I have a benefits worker who helps me complete these forms and he suggested to me yesterday that it might be better to start a new claim for dla rather than contuine with the appeal.I have had depression for the last 12 yrs and have both bowel and bladder inncontience.
I would be greatfull for any advice on the way forward as this is getting very confusing.
My dla ran from 17/08/09 to 17/08/11
Thank you for any advice given

Karen wrote:

Hi everyone this is my first time to the forum,so pleae forgive me if i have post this in the wrong section.

I had a claim for renewing my dla refused, i have had a reconsideration and it was still refused.So i filled in the form for a appeal.
My claim is due to be heard sometime in April 2012. I have yet to do the submission statement.
I have a benefits worker who helps me complete these forms and he suggested to me yesterday that it might be better to start a new claim for dla rather than contuine with the appeal.I have had depression for the last 12 yrs and have both bowel and bladder inncontience.
I would be greatfull for any advice on the way forward as this is getting very confusing.
My dla ran from 17/08/09 to 17/08/11
Thank you for any advice given

Hi,

Welcome to the forum. Please see our basic introductory guide here:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...mit=6&start=36#74789


The only thing to say really is if you abandon your current claim and start afresh you may lose any entitlement to back pay that maybe awarded from your original date of claim if you are successful at appeal. However you can make a new claim even whilst your current claim is ongoing.

However your benefits worker is in a much better position to advise you as he/she will have access to your paperwork and have seen/spoken with you directly. Thus unless you have no or very little confidence in your benefits worker then it maybe better to follow his/her advice.

Remember DLA is not paid because of a diagnosis or list of conditions. It is paid because of your needs, mobility and/or care resulting from your conditions. Any diagnosis of conditions is really only of secondary importance.

This is explained fully in the guides accessible in the members area here:

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

Pete