DLA - this is a new one on me

[saggarmakersbottomknocker]

I've recently reapplied for dd's DLA and am having to do the usual jumping through hoops thing.

She was turned down and I've asked for the statement of reasons which has arrived today.

It says

No facts found

I'm totally confused. Usually you get the bumf that says on what grounds you've been refused so you can argue the case. They've had a shedload of evidence so can anyone shed any light on this fresh hell?

You are pre-supposing that whomsoever processed your application actually knew what they were doing. Appeal Appeal Appeal. It seems that they refused your application on factual grounds, ie that on your evidence, the applicant did not meet the criteria. In your appeal letter, highlight the sections of your evidence that speak directly to the criteria for each level of disability living allowance applied for. That is to say; for care, how much care do they need during the day, at night, how does your childs needs significantly exceed the needs of another child of similar age. Set out clear examples and refer to your medical evidence. There are good free internet sites out their that detail the criteria you have to meet. Do you have a good letter from your GP? Give your GP the criteria and ask them to give their medical opinion on how your child meets that criteria. To sum all of that up, you have to spell it out for these people, in your appeal letter, state their criteria and then succintly and clearly set out the FACTUAL basis upon which your child meets each set of criteria for low to high rate care depending on your childs level of disability. Hope that was helpful, info supplied by DH (disability lawyer).

Thank you and thanks to your dh.

We've successfully appealed in the past and will probably do so again this time. I've just never seen this response before - it's usually more wordy and refers to the criteria and you can argue each point. This is a right cop out.

When you are doing your appeal, try to include things that you didn't mention before. I know that can be hard, as you will have given a lot of information already, perhaps send in a diary of a "typical" day - picking of course your worst day!

Ours came back shitty today too - apparently needing to be catheterised every 2 hours isn't a 'toileting problem', amongst other gems. We're asking for it to be looked at again.....................

Oh it's rubbish isn't it? One off dd's past statement of reasons said she could self medicate. Several meds, some unlicensed, several times a day. She was 8 at the time; I'm sure social services would have been interested had I been letting her lose with the drugs box.

Hi. That is a strange response. Ring the DLA and ask them to explain clearly what no facts found means!

I'm going to do just that bigpants. I thought they had to give you the grounds on which the decision was made.