I have been claiming DLA and SDA since 1991. I get sent a renewal pack every two or sometimes three years. I suffer from Chronic Anxiety and Depression Severe Asthma and IBS.I have heard that the format has changed on the DLA forms and I am due for a renewal soon. I am very worried about this as I have been told it is now more difficult to explain how your illness affects your day to day living.My asthma has got worse this past year I am on Steroid tablets at present as I am having terrible bad nights despite been on three inhalers.I am under a Nuerologist fo balance problems loss of grip and numbness I am not able to drive and have discomfort walking so I rely on my husband to drive me and to do the cooking for me he works full time.I need someone with me when I am well enough to go out which is once a week or once every few weeks most of the time now.I have to have my food put in a blender as I have a problem with the muscle in my throat. I am terrified that I will be asked to have a medical as I will not be able to explain myself due to Anxiety I will panic and mess up I am not able to deal with these types of situations please help .Thanks

Can you ask your husband to help you with the forms? Keep a diary too.

Jude wrote:

QUOTE:
I have been claiming DLA and SDA since 1991. I get sent a renewal pack every two or sometimes three years. I suffer from Chronic Anxiety and Depression Severe Asthma and IBS.I have heard that the format has changed on the DLA forms and I am due for a renewal soon. I am very worried about this as I have been told it is now more difficult to explain how your illness affects your day to day living.My asthma has got worse this past year I am on Steroid tablets at present as I am having terrible bad nights despite been on three inhalers.I am under a Nuerologist fo balance problems loss of grip and numbness I am not able to drive and have discomfort walking so I rely on my husband to drive me and to do the cooking for me he works full time.I need someone with me when I am well enough to go out which is once a week or once every few weeks most of the time now.I have to have my food put in a blender as I have a problem with the muscle in my throat. I am terrified that I will be asked to have a medical as I will not be able to explain myself due to Anxiety I will panic and mess up I am not able to deal with these types of situations please help .Thanks

Hi Jude,

There is no real evidence that DLA is any harder to claim than it has been in the past except for a few anecdotal cases some members have posted about.

If your care and/or mobility needs have not improved since you last applied for DLA, then the chance of you not having it renewed are very slim.

If possible, you should get your Respiratory Consultant (RC) if you have one to write a letter of support. I have severe britlle asthma myself so know how it affects you. If you're not under a RC, then ask your GP to write a support letter. Also, as you have neurological problems, you could ask your Neurologist to write a letter of support, pointing out how it affects your care and or mobility needs.

It would also be of help if you can get help with completing the DLA claim pack from a benefits adviser. Many CAB's can help you to do this or refer you to an organisation that can. If not contact Community Legal Advice who can put you in touch with an adviser in your local area.

Also, I'd recommend you read our free guides on claiming DLA which can be accessed in the members only area HERE

Hope thIs is of some help as we cannot give advice on individual cases in an open forum, for that you need 'one to one' advice from a benefits adviser who can get access to your case papers and advise you accordingly about making the best possible claim.

Good luck.

Jim

Hi, Thanks for replying to me, I will ask my GP for a letter confirming how bad my asthma has become but as for the Consultant,well I have been waiting to see him since last August so may not get to see him by the time I get my DLA pack. My DLA does not run out until next June, however they send me a renewal pack around the end of December. Do I have to return it straight away or could I hold off until I see the Consultant again as they usually send me a letter if its not returned within a week, asking if I want to claim this puts pressure on me as the forms are difficult enough to fill in and I then return it when if I was able to hold out I could get more medical info.Thanks Jude

There's normally a letter with the claim pack telling you when to return it by.

Hi Jude,

A renewal claim pack for a current award of DLA is always sent out about 4-6 months before the current award ends. This is to ensure that your renewal claim is processed before your current award ends.

My advice would be to hold off sending it back immediately and see if you can get an appointment with your Consultant. Your GP should be able to get you a quicker appointment if he writes to your Consultant.

HTH.

Jim