DP has his DLA appeal on Friday. Any help or information about the process very welcome

[FamilyCircus]

Friday 13th! DP keeps saying that 13 is his lucky number as it was my house number when we met . I don't feel we have been very lucky as a couple though, what with him being retired from work aged 37!

DP has had rheumatoid arthritis since he was 19. He was stubborn and refused to take any medication for it, meaning that for 15 years it was untreated and it got worse and worse until now, where he is in constant pain and can't walk without crutches. Stupid pride!

Has anyone been through the appeal process? I want to know what questions they might ask so I can prepare him.

It is a strange situation to be in. Since last June, when his consultant told him that it wasn't going to get better and there was no magical operation that would give him back his mobility, I have had to be positive for us both. Every day I tell him how great he is; remind of all the things he can still do; encourage him to try and do new things. Now I'm doing a 180 and reinforcing what he CANNOT do because I don't want him to tell the tribunal panel that he copes with the pain just fine and is really happy about being able to spend all this time with his family while other men his age are out working.

I am dreading Friday. I am so tired (posting here because I can't sleep).

I don't think I even care about the decision that's made on Friday anymore. It's sitting there in front of that panel that terrifies me and DP's reaction to another refusal. I keep telling him that we've done all we can do now; the additional evidence has been submitted and the only thing left is to answer their questions on Friday. Whatever they say we will have to accept as final. He is adamant we will win and that frightens me. I am not looking forward to another bout of depression and having to bolster him up again.

Last Monday we had a disagreement with a neighbour over her friends using our drive when they visit . She's a nasty piece of work. She shouted at DP that he was only 'hobbling about on sticks' in order to claim Incapacity Benefit. I sway from worrying about this appeal to fantasising about kicking her bloody teeth in.

This is too long already. Could type so much more though...

Don't let neighbour get to you she really isn't worth any of your energy. Don't know anything about panel process so can't help with that i'm afraid.
I can only hope for you that stubborn hubby does what he should, I hope that you can see the panel as a group of normal people who are not there to be awkward, they are doing a job that needs to be done. I hope that you have a good panel with a freindly face to put you at ease. As for hubby putting it on you know how untrue that is so please don't let nasty people like next door make you feel bad. wish you all the best.let me know how it goes.xxx

I wanted to say that apparently many critical illness policies (if you have one) will pay out on a dx of rheumatoid arthritis. Obviously the dx has to fit whatever the policy terms are but I for one would never have thought that this would be paid out on as a CI.

If you have a policy, go check it!

No idea on DLA tribunals but good luck

Thanks both of you.

Neighbour is a total c&*$ at the best of times so trying not to let it get to me. Fantasising about killing her is a welcome distraction tbh.

I have compiled a list of questions I think they are likely to ask and DP is being subjected to daily role playing, much to his disapproval. Like I said in my OP, I don't care if we lose, I just want him to be fully prepared and not blame himself if the outcome is negative.

Thanks for the info Ben10. Unfortunately DP doesn't have CI cover though. We were lucky that he worked for a company with a final salary scheme as he is able to access his pension now rather than rely on benefits. We would have been totally fucked without that.

Anyone else?

Bump for afternoon crew.

Great! Thanks herbie.

Anyone else in the meantime?

Thanks very much herbie

Yes, I know what you mean about RA being a more familiar disability than SPD (must admit that I'd never heard of it before my MN days) and how that may give them a scale to work from.

Very sorry you've had to go through this twice. You must be made of strong stuff.

I'm considering doing as your DH did and waiting outside. I don't think I always help by trying to speak up on DP's behalf. He knows his disability better than me anyway, of course. The extra money won't make a difference to my life as DP will, if we get an award, use it for motobility. I don't drive, so it's purely for him. It's his claim and I think I need to back off a bit.

DP would be happy for the tribunal to be adjourned pending a medical examination. His condition is visible and has been proven by blood tests, x-rays and surgical exploration. Our only problem so far has been trying to convince non-meds of how this affects him. Nothing unique to us there though!

Thanks for wishing us luck

As a health care professional and someone applying myself ,think of DP worst day and answer question relating to then, but be honest and if symptoms vary say they do. If DP needs help putting socks on then they need assistance in dressing etc....

Good luck

Good luck with your claim belleshell.

The thing about the socks is spot on actually. We wrote that he cannot put his own socks on in the original claim form, as well as the other help he needs with dressing (putting underwear/trousers around his feet while he sits and washing feet and helping in and out of bath) but he was refused on the basis that he could wash and dress himself by 'taking his time' . They either believed that DP was a lazy bastard or a total liar. Could the same thing happen at the tribunal (ie, they just discount what he says)?

been thinking about you today, hope you are ok.xx

Thanks for asking herbie

We have to wait for the results to come by post as they were running 2 hours behind schedule. My heart sank when the chair told us that and it must have shown on my face because she said "please don't worry, I can't see you ending up empty handed". So, fingers crossed, DP did ok.

The DLA guy was very nice to us and didn't challenge DP at any point. He opened the hearing by saying DP had been refused based on a report they obtained by a registered nurse who stated (in less blunt terms) that DP's needs were not plausible considering his diagnosis, but the new evidence we supplied (from DP's consultant) provided a much clearer picture of how disabled he really is. He said it was unfortunate that the case got to this stage, so I think he was of the opinion that there's been a fuck-up along the way.

I feel extremely relaxed now it's all over and done with. We can't be totally sure that we'll get anything, but it was cathartic for DP to describe in his own words how his disability affects him, rather than fitting his problems into convenient boxes on a claim form. Even if they do say he's still not entitled, it will be easier to accept that the system is just unfair, rather than be frustrated that we haven't been believed/listened to, if that makes sense.

x-posted cjel.

Thanks very much too

so glad to hear, hope its a really good ourcome for you as well.xx

If you can be bothered Socialist Worker newspaper on the net has useful info about DLA and it links to another site which claims to give info about all the details on DLA down to the questions and how to fill in the forms. One snag though: you have to register with thesite

Thanks Celibin. It was all over by the time I read your message, and fingers crossed, we'll never have to do it again.

Just got to wait for the letter now [chews nails]

DP got his award notice this morning.

Low care indefinitely
High mobility indefinitely

Back dated to August 2010

We're over the moon.

Congratulations FC

Thanks both of you