DLA tears! I don't know where to begin

I'm very new to this forum so please bear with me if I'm not going about things the right way.

I applied for DLA in January and finally got my decision this week. It said I'm not eligible for either parts and followed with a list of reasons why.

Now here's the part I don't understand. I have a gastrointestinal disease that is 1 in 300 cases EVER. DLA asked my specialist for some information but made the decision before it was back. Surely to request the information in the first place they felt it was needed? I don't feel the severity of my condition has been taken in to account here.

I rang up to ask for a reconsideration and the lady on the phone asked me to go through each point on the letter stating why I felt it was wrong. I did but every point I made she said "that doesn't count" even though I've read on DLA criteria that it does. One example is when I'm out of the house I need some one with me at all times - I lean on them to walk and steady myself. They carry anything I need and help me find my way around. They can also help me find and get to a toilet before an accident happens. Walking leaves me fatigued and weak and can massively impact on my health in future days - I can manage about 40meters of stumbling dizziness. I was told none of this counts.

What should I do?

Hi vixi and welcome to the site. As you are new, you might find this helpful

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I suggest that you have a look at our DLA resources to see whether you meet the criteria for DLA and also whether you filled in the claim forms in such a way as to present all the pertinent information in the best way.


DLA Care – How often and for how long

The DLA Cooking Test

Information about different health conditions

DLA claims

If you feel sure that you qualify for DLA and gave all the information required on your application form you can submit an appeal

DLA appeals

You can ask for a copy of the forms that were used when making the decision, but you should not delay getting your appeal in on time

DLA Medical – What forms to ask for?

If you think that, on reflection, you did not fill in the forms with enough information then you can reapply immediately. In fact, you can do this and appeal if you wish, but the appeal decision would only run until the date of the new decision, so you should think carefully before you make up your mind.

If you have any further questions, please come back and ask us on this thread/topic as it is easier to keep everything in one place. You will be able to find this easily in the future if you mark it as a 'favourite' now

Just some added info - I was put in ESA Support group after 5mins with the medical assessor and have a long award of that. I thought that would help my case?

There a very few places where the criteria for ESA and DLA overlap. However, if you gained ESA on a descriptor that does correspond to a DLA requirement (such as 'mobilising' for example) then you can certainly draw this to the attention of DWP when you submit your appeal.

Hi V,

You may also find the following helpful :

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and reconsiderations

DM Guide AA & DLA :

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch61.pdf

DR UK DLA & AA :

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/f23.htm

bro58