Hi
Im very very upset as i write this.
I am a single mum of 3 with severe rheumatoid arthritis - had now for 4 years. I have had 2 awards during the 4 years and had higher rate for both care and getting around element of the DLA.
I have now had resut of my new renewal and it has come back NIL for both elements. Not even reduced to middle or low straight to NIL.
I am furious asI am now much worse off then I was 4 years ago and on more medication and my joints have all had 4 years of wear and tear and that much stiffer and deformed.
I have rang them immediately and requested an appeal leaflet which they will post and also a copy of the letter from my consultant. I wouldnt be suprised if her report has done this as dont like her at all total personality clash. I was with my original consultant from start of diagnosis and he was fab but over an hour drive away and found it too much a drive in my condition so transfered to close by hospital - been with her a year now and hated her to be honesy so requested to go back to him which i had first appointment for this week. He was shocked to see how bad my joints had gone in a year of not seeing me. All she used to say is no swelling your fine. Tried telling her i do not swell i never have been a 'sweller' just go stiff and excruitating pain which my original consultant used to witness.
Im fuming with all this .
The reason they have put on my letter for NIL award is that i can use a cooker ??????????????? also evidence from her.
I noticed the form had changed and didnt have all the questions on original form for me to complete .

Anyone had experience of this happening to them a high award for 2 then NIL ????
Thanks

Sadly this is not an uncommon event. As you say you are now back with a consultant with whom you have a much better relationship with and will presumably be more supportive than your previous one. You could ask him for written supportive evidence of your condition to take to the appeal with you.

I'm sure you know that it is far better to attend an oral appeal rather than a paper appeal because you can explain face to face to the panel what your care and mobility needs are rather than the panel just read what they are off paper.

The DLA form has indeed changed and as a consequence this site has produced an excellent guide to filling it in.

I would also suggest downloading the DLA guide to appeals which explains what you may be asked during the appeal and how to go about filling out the GL24 form.

Gareth

thats not real-- at times like this you wish you had a working knowledge of voodoo eh ? I sincerly hope that decision make gets what you have and I'm so sorry , but keep fighting. never let the sods get you down. It's a very painful thing. xxx

Yes i do wish I had voodoo !!!

It is very upsetting and now all this has just brought on more another flare up which is what happens with upset.

ARGH!

I , too, have lost my DLA at high rate.!!!! I also have rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, Hip replacement (not successful), Chronic asthma, Sjogrens syndrome, tumor in spine (which affects my legs eg, numbness)Degenerative disc disease, the list goes on!!! I lost my care rate 2 years ago and have been fighting it since and , at renewal, in september i was told that i no longer qualified for DLA at any rate.!!!! I sometimes wish that the EMP's had these conditions and see how they cope and also the DM'S are NOT medically qualified, so how can they make decisions on peoples lives?!!! I am now in the process of going for yet another appeal, probably only to be told i am still getting nothing!!!
Keep us informed as to how you get on
Ann