Just to keep you up to date with events from http://www.hivbenefits.co.uk

Had a meeting with the Policy Advisor for the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/Aids to discuss the issues around the RPP, Special Rules review and new claims for DLA.

The Terrence Higgins Trust represent the HIV/Aids community on the DCS Advisory Board. There is a meeting in London tomorrow for patients of the KVN Forum. Where the Policy DIrector will be present to answer questions on the DLA and her experience sitting on this panel.

We continue to engage at all levels to raise our issues and are always minded that many extend to our wider disabled community.

John.

Hello all,

This has been a good week. We have statistics on the impact of the Special Rules Review thus far. Lawworks secured a legal firm for us.

For news see http://www.hivbenefits.co.uk

Have a good weekend.

John.

Sorry it has been a while between posts. As with you all we have had the Welfare Green Paper etc to get around.

Thanks to the guys that keep this running, regardless of this site's media profile, you are a good friend to us all.

We await a reply from our legal firm who are considering papers but it takes time.

I also note that from claimants I come across elsewhere and who are not HIV+ there seems to be a tend to cut back DLA relying on people being to unwell to challenge or those who will not go through a protracted appeals procedure.

On friend who is HIV+ and has various illnesses. For the last 9 months has been going through his 1st claim for DLA. It went to written appeal and they upheld his earlier judgement. However sharing the information, use of a welfare advisor and he went to the Commissioners. Before they heard the case the Appeals panel wrote back saying they were going to set aside the earlier appeal judgement!. Some of the arguements put forward were that they looked at each disability individually and not all disabilities as a whole and the subsequent impact. Secondly was the lack of medical evidence sought by the DWP.

He is awaiting a fresh oral appeal in August.

The key is to keep going no matter who you are facing a battle to get at the end of the day what you are entitled to.

As always the blog on www.hivbenefits.co.uk has current info.

Best as always,

John.

At the moment in Mexico the World AID Conference is underway.

And the issue of Benefits, the Disability Living Allowance and the HIV community is being raised.

This is being done by the Terrence Higgins Trust and you can find the poster presentation and detail from their website by clicking here

I know the issues we face as very much the same as every one else who engages with the DWP.

Certainly when we engage through writing etc. though we deal primarily with the HIV community we do so in the context of just one part of the wider affected disabled community.

HIV is likely to be only one of many disabling conditions that affects our community and in some cases may not be the primary disabling condition.

As always www.hivbenefits.co.uk is updated with out activity regularly and is an independent resource.

Best wishes to all,

John.

Just to let you know. RADAR have an event in London debating "This House Believes that the majority of disabled people can and should work"

See the www.hivbenefits.co.uk for the information and email address to register.

This is for all disabled people.

Hello all,

Added some results of Freedom of Information Act Requests to the Blog on www.hivbenefits.co.uk.

Details of the Disability Carers Forum meeting Minutes from 2006 to present.

Details on the Medical Panel.

Just in case anyone is interested.

Best wishes as always,

John.