DLA Mandatory Reconsideration 2023

[Mumofboysteamginge]

Hi, I’ve been following the DLA wait times thread since I applied for my 7 year old son in October. We had the decision yesterday and it was declined 😭 I was absolutely devastated.

We applied because my son was involved in a serious RTC (we were going on holiday with our friends, he wanted to travel in their car following us, a car came round a bend missed us but hit them head on) understandably he struggles with the fact he was the only one in the car and blames us for letting him in there). He was the only one awake and conscious in the vehicle, he has chronic flashbacks, normal everyday life things (sirens, bangs, travelling, weather conditions and so on are triggers) they send him into a state of survival and all his rational thinking is gone. Nights are horrendous for him, he lives like his life is in constant threat, he fights sleep and often gets dressed in the middle of the night so he’s ready should anything bad happen. Flashbacks are more prominent through the night.

school are aware of his issues. Now he’s under CAMHS school have been asked to stop any mental health interventions as this could interrupt the trauma therapy. hes happy at school because of the structure and routine, no real unpredictability etc.

anyway I’ve done this tread for anyone going through MR and hope we can all support each other through the process!

xxx

Fingers crossed you all hear soon, it is crazy how long they are taking, when I first called they told me 3 weeks so don't know how on earth it's got to over 8 weeks now xox

@Mojo161989 silly ain't it I was told I should have a decision 1st week of Jan but still not even with a dm x

@Jneill2021 it is ridiculous, it really is so stressful, I didn't expect it to cause so much anxiety. It's awful having to go over and over childs needs aswell. My MR was started on the 22nd of November so really hoping I will hear any day soon 🙏. Fingers crossed all of us get what our LOs deserve. Xox

@Jneill2021 been thinking today do you think they dont count xmas week, hence why they say we are a week behind what we think ?x

@Keddie maybe, I just don't understand them tbh because when I originally checked to make sure they recieved my Mr the man told me I should hear back 1st week of Jan where as now looks like 1st week of Feb lol xx

@Jneill2021 i know its crazy and so frustrating too!! I think its going to be next week now (been saying this for months) lol xx

@Keddie I'm hoping next week I just want to no now lol xx

Your doing the Same MR as me @Jneill2021 appealing for the hrm under smi or vuw hope we hear back soon, should
be next week at the latest.

@Dla96 fingers crossed xx what's your Mr date xx

The 1st of December so I should be hearing anytime soon I got told no longer the. 8 weeks 56 days Exactly the have to make a decision, I’ve also been told it’s hard to get under smi. But their own criteria online shows you, but apparently they still don’t award it so need to wait and see if it’s tribunal or not.

10 weeks today guys for our MR and still waiting 😭 This is for HRM under SMI. Good luck to everyone x

I've been 9 weeks today may give them a call.

@Anonymous1993x 10 weeks is mad have you called them? When I called last week they marked mine as urgent as it had been over the 8 week deadline. Xox

Yeah I’ve called, it was with a decision maker last Tuesday and still no decision when I called yesterday x

What evidence has everyone sent in for hrm under SMI and VUW? There own criteria online is everything I sent in before but they said because he recognised a Nappie he got declined and he can walk independently from and too his peers although he has 1 on 1 and Ehcp and a place in specialist school in sep and non verbal no communication, his key person has said she still watches over him and is in arms reach even when moving around. I’m very confused ? I did the VUW test and he wouldn’t even walk he just kept screaming biting himself. I have no idea how else to explain it without them seeing him but they just take it off paper ?

Did you send evidence from any specialists?

MR done 27th November - letter received yesterday HRC LRC to HRC HRM … what a relief - awarded to 2029 when my son is 16

congrats on your award that’s good news! Did you apply for hrm under the smi or vuw section if you don’t mind me asking. Thanks

I sent lots of evidence in, but they just took all the positives out of the Ehcp and said no, and Aweh congrats what a relief, what evidence did you send kn if you don’t mind me asking ?

The initially refused vuw saying he did not meet criteria due to a comment on his EHCP. I ask them to look at smi as he is both. School have given a full explanation of the realities at school (he is in a complex communication and autism unit) his Peadiatrician / Disability Social Worker and the Parent Support and Child protection Officer at school all sent letters supporting HRC and saying he was both VUW and SMi. He has been awarded in VUW now. I also contacted my MP who wrote them twice.

Sorry HRc and HRM not just HRC

My scan date was 29 Nov I called Friday and it had been forgotten to be put in the queue today I get two letters. One date 19 Jan saying it will take 11 weeks and don't contact t us then another dated 22 jan saying 15 weeks!!! What on earth is going on?? It's unacceptable the original claim is from 8 June. It's unacceptable to wait so long and have to fight so hard for things that our children are entitled to. It's hard enough advocating for them in all aspects od their lives but then to forget to add my MR to the pile and not fast track it is just unacceptable

Did you put that you had contacted the mp ? How do you show evidence of that ? X

Also, did everyone do it over the phone or did they send it in post?

I emailed my MP and they emailed them. With what I had sent to them about my claim. I wasn’t happy with the DLAs response initially to my MP as I wanted clarification on what evidence they wanted ie who’s evidence would they believe. I stated that they gave me 9 days to get my evidence in and I think it is not acceptable that they feel this is manageable due to the overstressed NHS especially as they do not clarify what they are after and from whom.

@Homesweethome93 I did a written Mr sent it with more evidence x