Have you got the updated form, where it's more tickboxes than free text?
Having thoroughly researched the legal criteria for my DLA appeal, these are the important words and benchmarks:
~"Virtually unable to walk" considers the speed, manner, distance and time. So, slowly, with shuffling gait, less than 25 yards before experience severe discomfort and/or pain, 3-5 minutes to walk this distance. Must stop frequently for prolonged periods. Cannot maintain walking.
~ for Care needs at night, attention* that is repeated and prolonged, provided at least once for more than 20 minutes. I.e. help going to the toilet once in the night that takes 20 minutes won't cut it. Once for 25 minutes will, or twice at 12 minutes a time. Mention irritable bowel/bladder, to demonstrate you do actually need to visit the toilet at night. I'll have to go and look up the day stuff, but I think it's the same principle.
*(not supervision, they are anal about supervision and guidance as it's subjective and often argued unnecessary).
Learn from my mistakes. You have to paint the picture of your daily life, but the benchmarks and the phrases are what's important. My appeal began, as my GP didn't provide evidence so they asked a medical advisor who was ignorant of FMS. If you can get a Nurse/Doctor/GP/Social Worker to provide supporting evidence and send it with your pack, it makes things much more convincing and less stressful. They don't have to say much. Just stuff like "experiences pain walking even small distances; needs frequent rests. Needs repeated and prolonged attention/help with toileting, moving about indoors and out, dressing, etc."
I think we did, we got the form on 28 Sept, dated 20 Sept, and her diagnosis was verified on 18 Sept so its unlikely we can claim before then, dunno. Its not like this is a new condition, its been going on since she was born, sigh.
We have the report assessing her for autism and the outcome report that states the diagnosis clearly, both copied and attached, and underlined as to who its for and what it proves.
I have written *pages* and my husband's busy writing several pages as well, trying to make sure we cover everything listed on the National Autistic Society's page about DLA, and the point that she is up in the night several times a night, so hopefully we'll get the higher rate care.
She doesnt qualify for higher rate mobility as she can walk (although with a lot of supervision, sigh), and she can't qualify for lower rate til she turns 5, so we're sortof holding off on that for now, though we filled it all in. Hopefully not a waste of time, and hopefully won't need to appeal.
Good to hear the National Autistic Society has advice for DLA. I know even though I'd had FMS since October 2001, I would only be paid by the date stamped on the form some three years later. I think you've got to have your condition three months prior to claiming, which is why kids - although disabled from birth - can't claim Care until they are three months old.
Remember to photocopy your paperwork and forms. As my renewal comes around every 18 months - 3 years, I typed mine up. So I just modify things slightly, print, sign and attach. Though it does get a bit boring writing 'see attached', it's better than writing out the whole thing.
Yes, definitely will do that, oh yes. Copies and stuff, and 'see attached...' Think i might type up what i hand wrote as well, though it will need to change with her age.
The NAS has some good pages on it, actually, because autism is misunderstood by the DWP. Hell, i think everything is, they employ deliberately thick doctors who don't know jack just so they don't have to pay out, sigh.
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Having thoroughly researched the legal criteria for my DLA appeal, these are the important words and benchmarks:
~"Virtually unable to walk" considers the speed, manner, distance and time. So, slowly, with shuffling gait, less than 25 yards before experience severe discomfort and/or pain, 3-5 minutes to walk this distance. Must stop frequently for prolonged periods. Cannot maintain walking.
~ for Care needs at night, attention* that is repeated and prolonged, provided at least once for more than 20 minutes. I.e. help going to the toilet once in the night that takes 20 minutes won't cut it. Once for 25 minutes will, or twice at 12 minutes a time. Mention irritable bowel/bladder, to demonstrate you do actually need to visit the toilet at night. I'll have to go and look up the day stuff, but I think it's the same principle.
*(not supervision, they are anal about supervision and guidance as it's subjective and often argued unnecessary).
Learn from my mistakes. You have to paint the picture of your daily life, but the benchmarks and the phrases are what's important. My appeal began, as my GP didn't provide evidence so they asked a medical advisor who was ignorant of FMS. If you can get a Nurse/Doctor/GP/Social Worker to provide supporting evidence and send it with your pack, it makes things much more convincing and less stressful. They don't have to say much. Just stuff like "experiences pain walking even small distances; needs frequent rests. Needs repeated and prolonged attention/help with toileting, moving about indoors and out, dressing, etc."
no subject
I think we did, we got the form on 28 Sept, dated 20 Sept, and her diagnosis was verified on 18 Sept so its unlikely we can claim before then, dunno. Its not like this is a new condition, its been going on since she was born, sigh.
We have the report assessing her for autism and the outcome report that states the diagnosis clearly, both copied and attached, and underlined as to who its for and what it proves.
I have written *pages* and my husband's busy writing several pages as well, trying to make sure we cover everything listed on the National Autistic Society's page about DLA, and the point that she is up in the night several times a night, so hopefully we'll get the higher rate care.
She doesnt qualify for higher rate mobility as she can walk (although with a lot of supervision, sigh), and she can't qualify for lower rate til she turns 5, so we're sortof holding off on that for now, though we filled it all in. Hopefully not a waste of time, and hopefully won't need to appeal.
Fingers crossed. Sigh.
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Remember to photocopy your paperwork and forms. As my renewal comes around every 18 months - 3 years, I typed mine up. So I just modify things slightly, print, sign and attach. Though it does get a bit boring writing 'see attached', it's better than writing out the whole thing.
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The NAS has some good pages on it, actually, because autism is misunderstood by the DWP. Hell, i think everything is, they employ deliberately thick doctors who don't know jack just so they don't have to pay out, sigh.
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Thanks for your help, advice and support on this. Your experience will hopefully help people like me avoid having to do appeals.
*hugs*
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http://www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/index.shtml
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/decisions/dladecision.asp
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