To just give up with DLA?

[onwardandupwards]

So both dc have been told we cannot have DLA, dd has chronic fatigue, slight depression, kidney problems, bowel problems and her body will not absorb calcium and takes 5 medications a day and has been off school for 11 months. Ds has mental health problems, major aggression issues, anxeity problems, will not speak to anyone,wees and messes every where and will smear the poo, does not sleep much and has major melt downs if we leave the house, after 5 years the consultants are listening and have said there is some thing not right but not sure what "hes complex" seems to be their favourite saying. Is DLA worth fighting for? I am a single parent (dc dad has no involvement) I am so tired and cry a lot and dont know if its best to let it go. Any advice? Thank you x

So sorry you're having such a hard time. It sounds tough for all of you. Have you tried Citizen's Advice? They have advisers who specialise in helping with the forms, and a 2 week 'diary' you can fill in before tackling the form, which helps to give a clearer picture of day-to-day life.

Thank you will see if they can help.

As well as CAB do you have a carers centre in your area? again they will help you fill the forms in - an advisor came to the house and talked through all of the questions whilst taking notes. They then typed up all the answers on labels and stuck them on the forms. Def worth fighting for

if you have a decision then you can appeal. you might be eligible for legal aid for the appeal (it might even be the child's case for legal aid). In which case you could hand it over to a solicitor to do the appeal for you. Legal Aid might also cover cost of evidence eg expert report

Don't give up. There are people out there who will help you. The legal route sounds very good. It also sounds like you need a second / third opinion about your DS's complex needs. ((hugs)).

onwardandupwards, we have been turned down for DLA for DD. I asked for a reconsideration and the claim was turned down again. I then appealed and they backed down. they knew they would not have stood a chance at a tribunal.

defiantly ask for a reconsideration or better appeal straight away. we had a genuine claim and had sent in tons of evidence with our initial application. I think they just try their chance with refusing claims and a lot of people just give in. it is the ones who persevere who get it.

you seem to have a lot on your hands with your children. ask CAB or check with your local council for a benefits adviser. our council has somebody who even does home visits to help with DLA claims.

good luck :)

Currently writing my reconsideration report. I am planning on picking bits out of his proposed revised statement to bulk it out a bit. Reading it, he sounds like a monster!! He's lovely really.

Try not to be too disheartened by being turned down. The people who make the initial decisions on dla are essentially unqualified clerical staff with a set of written guidelines to go on which won't necessarily match up with the nuances of a child's individual difficulties. This is probably particularly true for a child described by doctors as complex, even though ironically they are more likely to have extra needs. Many of us here have had to ask for reconsideration or appeal against what seem like bizarre decisions ...and are usually successful.