DLA decision appeal

[phlebas]

Has anyone successfully appealed a DLA decision? We're just be awarded middle rate for ds (3.4, ASD & language disorder) - it took less than two weeks for the decision & they've awarded it until 2014 which is good I suppose. I think we're entitled to higher rate due to the huge amount of night time care he requires (one of us ends up with him all night, waking 3-6 times, up to an hour to settle each time etc etc).The paed didn't document his nocturnal activities in her report which may be why we didn't get the HR - my HV is going to write a supporting letter for us.

Does anyone have any advice/experience?

Bump; same here for exactly the same reasons too.

Get welfare rights to appeal on your behalf.

I got middle rate then appealed and got higher rate as awake with ds and because he is still in nappies on hygene reasons

yes and yes - was for me rather than a dc. my dad is a welfare rights officer and so helps me out a great deal. it is possible

yes, you just have to give example after example after example of why they need help. specifics.

tbh, if he requires night time care at that level, he really should get high rate. Mine do.

We were also awarded middle rate at first - our Paed wrote for us to appeal.

I've just had to re-apply again now, 5 years later. Its a complete joke - a child with a life limiting condition, and they still want to ask me how far she can walk etc!! (SHE CANNOT WALK AT ALL YOU DUNDERHEADS IN THE DLA OFFICE!)

Rant over!

Put every little detail in multiple times, with lots of detail about how much more help is needed than for another child!

Best of luck

Hey

YES APPEAL!! The above posts are right, put every tiny detail in - remember that you and your other half do this every day (and night) so may forget even little bits that can add weight to your argument. Try to be as woeful as you can, lack of sleep, importance of one of you being with him at all times etc. Explain that his paed left out the night waking.

Does your son have a community nurse who visits the house? Mine filled my form in the required section and we got the HR because she could see just how much I was doing (and knew that I didn't get to brush my teeth some days until 4pm, a luxury for some MNers and I do the 24/7 care thing as DH works)

Hope the HV can sort the DLA and get you the HR. Good luck!!

Thank you! I'm seeing our HV tomorrow (we don't have a nurse or ASD outreach etc but HV has been really good) & have an appointment with the welfare rights people on Friday - I am on my knees with exhaustion (& DH lost his job primarily because of the impact of such a high level of care/no sleep) - ds needs the DLA money.

Phlebas - How did the visit with the HV go? Did you get the support you were looking for?

Also, wanted to say good luck for tomorrow with Welfare Rights. Other than what you are already doing, are you claiming tax credits with the disability elements? And income support if your DH has lost his job?

It's tough working out what you can and can't claim but make sure you get what you're entiltled too. No-one helped me to claim what I was entitled to as DS's carer or the DLA, I had to go looking. You can get help from lots of organisations too, especially on the HR of DLA. People like British Gas will prioritise you if you are their customer to ensure you always have gas and elec!! If you get less than 15k per year through your door, they can reduce your fuel costs. They also do free home safety checks and can help with the cost of bills etc. Other energy companies may do this too so check yours out. You can contact the energy trust too for help with fuel costs. Worth a try if you haven't already?

Warm Front is another to try if your boiler is old (mine is as much use as a mouse on a wheel with a piece of flint to strike to fire it up!!) Sorry if you know all of this already - grandma sucking eggs?

Keep smiling