DLA 12 month review stress.

[Infamous1]

I have just received a decision after my DLA 12 month review. I was getting the lower rate for mobility, & the higher rate for care, but the decision after the review is that I will now lose the mobilty component altogether, & only receive the lower rate for care. My circumctances have not changed for the better over the past 12 months, if anything they have worsened. I suffer from a rare form of epilepsy which is predominantly worse during sleep, although I do have daytime seizures, focal hand seizures & also nerve damage in my lower back. My review form was almost identically filled in as my form 12 months earlier. There reasons I know this are as follows, -
1 - I have a disability, I am not an idiot.
2 - I anticipated this may happen one day after hearing all the horror stories about other peoples experiences with DLA so I photocopied my original form from 12 months earlier to refer to if I ever needed to fill one in again!
So how can this be??? It is obvious to me that it is not my claim for DLA that needs to be reviewed, but the way the decision maker goes about doing the job they are payed to do. Some of the reasons they gave me in the letter I received ranged from the rediculous to the sublime. One example is that they stated that I, "Was not likely to have a fit at night" I have a rare for of epilepsy & am more susceptible when I sleep for Gods sake!!! Which I must must of referred to atleast 6 times on the form. Another example is "Does not require care for 20 minutes or more each night" which I do, &, yet again, referred to on numerous occasions.
It seems as if the decision maker didn't even read the form they had infront of them. I have telephoned the DLA today, given them a reason for every single point in question that I disagree with, & have asked for a different decision maker to review the form. I am also going to provide them with a letter from my GP, neurologist & local housing association, (as one point made was that I did not require any special aids at home when I have a shower seat & specially adapted wet room as I cannot use a bath living alone with epilepsy.)
I am also going to telephone the DLA again tommorrow &, in the politest of possible ways, demand to see one of their doctors. It is not the money that motivates me, it is the principle of the matter. I intend on taking the fight to them, & I also intend on winning it. Does anyone have any advice or sugestions for me as I move forward with my crusade?! Thankyou for reading this.

[Infamous1]

Oh, It also said on the letter that after this my DLA will not be reviewed again until 2017! Mmmmm, something certainly smells fishy with this decision. David Cameron written all over it.

[davewhit]

I have just received a decision after my DLA 12 month review. I was getting the lower rate for mobility, & the higher rate for care, but the decision after the review is that I will now lose the mobilty component altogether, & only receive the lower rate for care. My circumctances have not changed for the better over the past 12 months, if anything they have worsened. I suffer from a rare form of epilepsy which is predominantly worse during sleep, although I do have daytime seizures, focal hand seizures & also nerve damage in my lower back. My review form was almost identically filled in as my form 12 months earlier. There reasons I know this are as follows, -
1 - I have a disability, I am not an idiot.
2 - I anticipated this may happen one day after hearing all the horror stories about other peoples experiences with DLA so I photocopied my original form from 12 months earlier to refer to if I ever needed to fill one in again!
So how can this be??? It is obvious to me that it is not my claim for DLA that needs to be reviewed, but the way the decision maker goes about doing the job they are payed to do. Some of the reasons they gave me in the letter I received ranged from the rediculous to the sublime. One example is that they stated that I, "Was not likely to have a fit at night" I have a rare for of epilepsy & am more susceptible when I sleep for Gods sake!!! Which I must must of referred to atleast 6 times on the form. Another example is "Does not require care for 20 minutes or more each night" which I do, &, yet again, referred to on numerous occasions.
It seems as if the decision maker didn't even read the form they had infront of them. I have telephoned the DLA today, given them a reason for every single point in question that I disagree with, & have asked for a different decision maker to review the form. I am also going to provide them with a letter from my GP, neurologist & local housing association, (as one point made was that I did not require any special aids at home when I have a shower seat & specially adapted wet room as I cannot use a bath living alone with epilepsy.)
I am also going to telephone the DLA again tommorrow &, in the politest of possible ways, demand to see one of their doctors. It is not the money that motivates me, it is the principle of the matter. I intend on taking the fight to them, & I also intend on winning it. Does anyone have any advice or sugestions for me as I move forward with my crusade?! Thankyou for reading this.

based on what you have posted and http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/s...-and-mobility/

IMO I am not sure how you got your first claim.....based on what you said middle care woild have been my guess with most need being at night you need expert help to get your case across

have you got Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy ?

[Infamous1]

How do you come to that conclusion about middle rate care when you know absolutely nothing about what I go through with my illness on a daily basis, or the extent or severity of my seizures. I asked for advice concerning my review, not for an opinion on my circumstances or which rate of care I should or should not be entitled to???

[Infamous1]

In future, IMO, keep yours to yourself.

[davewhit]

How do you come to that conclusion about middle rate care when you know absolutely nothing about what I go through with my illness on a daily basis, or the extent or severity of my seizures. I asked for advice concerning my review, not for an opinion on my circumstances or which rate of care I should or should not be entitled to???

its based on how you worded your post ... which tells me whats wrong but gives NO details of help needed and length of time help needed (apart from 20 mins


I spent more time reading your post than the DM will spend on your compleated DLA form .

middle care is help of about 20 mins day or night to get higher rate care you need to show a high level of care BOTH day and night .. you said more help needed at night

as to the review I said you needed expert advice which will tell you how to spend more time going into the setails of the help needed


my post is based on what you said and did not say and is as good an explanation as you will get back from DLA

IMO

dont post on public forums if you dont want people to comment good luck with your appeal

[Stig]

They can review DLA any time they like i suggest you take any dates given with a pinch of salt