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Original poster

Yayyy, I finally completed the DLA form

25 replies

Graciefer · 09/12/2008 17:54

At last, this afternoon I have finally finished completing DS2's dreaded DLA application form.

It only took me from recieving the form to finishing it this afternoon approximately 14 months, lol.

Is that a new record?

Now I have the long wait for an award decision, followed by the almost envitable process of asking for reconsideration and appeals.

Oh how I hate the current system!

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feelingbitfestive · 09/12/2008 17:59

I'm slightly with you. My SNHV did mine for me today (1.5 hours) and that was hard enough. Its exhausting isn't it? I'm glad I had someone who knew what she was doing - DS would have had access to his child trust fund before I'd have managed it!

PeachyBidsYouNadoligLlawen · 09/12/2008 18:05

Ah but Gracie you neednt have bothered- the old lady down the road told me today all we did was phone up and ask and the money is there, we're all benefit cheats apparenlty (and the invite to Christmas dinner just said bye bye Mrs Lonely Neighbour!)

Seriosuly, it's Hell isn't it? I actually missed a deadline last summer becuase 2 came in at once and I went into panic mode and hid them under the sofa. mature eh?

Could really do with the mobility for ds3 atm (they cleverly assessed him the day before he turned 5 LOL) but can't face The Form- might have to soon though.

Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:10

I have to admit, I only managed to complete it today as I have had my portage worker helping me tackle the form for the last 4 weeks worth of sessions.

If it wasn't for her, I would of still been avoiding it this time next year.

I can't tell you how tempting it was to tick that 'I don't want to answer any questions and would prefer to be seen by a doctor' box!

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Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:14

I now what you mean about having to face it Peachy, we were lucky in a way that with DS1 we asked for reconsideration on the care side of things and because of this and the evidence I provided the award came back with higher rate care and mobility, just after DS1 was 3, so I somewhat avoided that fight.

Also lucky that DS1 got awarded for 12 years (until 2015) right from the get go, can't see that happening with DS2 though and I am dreading the thought of having to do it yearly.

After all, how am I supposed to fit the 14 months it takes to complete the form into 1 year?

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jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 18:19

Well done!

My renewal arrived a few days ago.

Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:20

at the misinformed neighbour and the silly benefit cheat jibe.

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Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:22

You have my sympathy JJ, you don't have to complete before Xmas or anything silly like that, do you?

I couldn't make the steering group meeting on Monday as the whole house has had the flu and DS1 was home from school all last week. Did I miss anything?

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jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 18:24

Erm you did miss something that you might already know. Hang on will email you (meant to last night to say get well, but ended up watching Louis Theroux on watch again).

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 18:28

Have emailed. I don't think it needs to be in for 6 months. But I plan to get it done and dusted asap (mind you I still haven't done dp returns so I should do them first!)

Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:28

Hmmm, I'm intrigued now - possibly the story that was in the Herald last night?

Off to watch my inbox with baited breath.

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jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 18:29

no, not that, although I would LOVE to know more about that. 2 schools with one governing body sounds to me. I will await the consultation with interest

Original poster
Graciefer · 09/12/2008 18:38

Me too, I couldn't quite believe it when it said the parents have been very positive about it, not sure I would be.

I have replied to your e-mail, thanks for keeping me informed.

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jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 09/12/2008 18:43

haha- I didn't believe that either. I met someone from D who was at the meeting and she said NONE of the D parents were positive about it. They don't want it at all. She was talking of home edding!!! (And her son is very like our boys!!!!) But D is on prime redevelopment land so they expected it.

I still don't really understand what happens to us.

magso · 09/12/2008 20:48

Oh Graciefer well done - you beat me - it took me 12 months less a week to send mine off. Still its awarded till his 18th so it trully is out the way now!! We heard back in 2.5 weeks - hope yours is as fast. I resorted to help too.

Hope yours is awarded up till 18 too JJ.

PeachyBidsYouNadoligLlawen · 09/12/2008 21:13

ds2's was awarded un6til his 16th, you ever know Graciefer

ds2 is 2 yearly now, think they thin he'll improve whereas schoolare tearing teir hair out! Mind, Paed just writes a letter stating 24 hr superviion due to aggresion, that sorts it.

Tclanger · 09/12/2008 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Graciefer · 31/12/2008 18:35

I had a telephone call at 9.20am on Monday morning from a man in the DLA office.

He wanted to know why the delay in completing the form and also wanted to ask a few specific questions about DS2's night time care.

I was quite shocked that they were working over Christmas but hopefully this means we should hear about a decision soon, fingers crossed.

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cherryontopofthexmastree · 31/12/2008 19:28

i did mine in a night. was quite surprised because my friend told me it would take ages and make me feel awful. i did the form in oct, on monday i received the award (its for ds2) he got middle rate care, and low rate mobility.

bullet123 · 31/12/2008 21:08

I am on tenterhooks waiting to hear about Ds1's decision. I asked them to look at it again as I want him to get low rate mobility as well as the care element now. It could take until the 11th Fenruary before we either know, or they announce that actually they've lost it so can we do it again .

Original poster
Graciefer · 07/01/2009 17:20

Received award today, higher rate care until 2012, yayyyyy - no fighting needed after all.

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Original poster
Graciefer · 07/01/2009 17:20

Much needed good news after the day I am having, I should add.

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bullet123 · 07/01/2009 18:22

Excellent news . Not about your overall day, I should hasten to add.
I am still waiting for the decision to be reached on behalf of Ds1. Last time they were really quixck and it was about 2 weeks. Now they are taking their time. I would have had to do it later on this year anyway as they had awarded it until just before his 6th birthday the first time round.
I hate waiting for it. I need to know one way or the other.

Original poster
Graciefer · 07/01/2009 18:41

Fingers crossed they sort it out soon Bullet, I was expecting the decision sooner after them calling the other day, but will admit to being glad to seeing no brown envelope on the doorstop on Saturday morning.

I didn't want to get struck with the rule of Davros!

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bullet123 · 07/01/2009 18:55

What's that? All I can think about is Doctor Who . Or are you talking about the poster on here called Davros?
I phoned up shortly after I sent Ds1's to check they'd got it and how long they expected it to take and was told it could be about 11 weeks. I bet they are stringently holding to that as well . Or they will "lose" it.
Why did you want no brown envelope on Saturday?

Original poster
Graciefer · 07/01/2009 19:07

Yes the poster Davros, the rule of Davros if I recall correctly was the one that says bad news will always arrive on a Saturday so that you can't phone them and give them hell for being so crap.

Hence why I didn't want a letter from them on my doorstep on a Saturday morning, not that I am superstitious or anything like that

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