| Author | Message | ||
     Justt Newbie Username: Justt Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2009 Rating: N/A |
Ive been in receipt of DLA following health issues that started with my pregnancy. At first they gave me full care and mobility components then this year i had to re-apply again as it expired. They gave me full mobility and minimum care as i had separated from my partner and no longer had a live in night carer. I appealed this decision and was told i needed a medical which i agreed to. Its always been dificult to explain whats wrong with me as all i know is that it started with severe sympisis pubis dysfunction and progressed from there. Ive now been told i have neuropathic pain syndrome and possibly more yet to diagnosed. I had the medical a couple of weeks ago and have now received the paperwork regarding it stating its being refered to the Secretary of state as the doctor who visited me states theres nothing wrong with me. I have "full upper and lower limb function" etc etc etc. Im lost for words to be honnest. Im seeing more specialists that i can name, at the time of the visit i had suffered a fall and was bedriiden and unable to mobe. The doctor wouldnt even touch my foot for fear of hurting me yet he states in his medical report he checked my spyne and it was fine, my legs and feet and all was well. I was fully dressed and never moved. He never checked anything. Half of the replies i gave to his questions arent even written down on this report. now im panicking because not only will i most likely loose my DLA but for all i know i could even be prosecuted for fraud because one man is lying through his teeth. I just dont know what to do. I have 2 weeks to get back to them with any information or comments regading this and im stuck. They have every information i have, contacts for specialists, reports and now they seems to disregard it all because of this report. Please help. I dont know how to fight this. Im at my wits end. Ive been bouncing from doctor to doctor for 2 years, im getting worse, social services are involved now finally and it felt like i was begining to see the light but instead weve gone backwards. I find it hard to cope as it is without the funds from the DLA for help with the house and my little girl and to loose it all is just too much to bare. | ||
| Simi Regular Poster+ Username: Simi Post Number: 93 Registered: 03-2005  Rating: N/A |
Jusst, Appeal against the decision! And ensure you ask for an Oral Appeal hearing rather than doing it on paper. The Appeals Panel members are all lay people (one "medical" expert, one "disability" or "carer" expert and a "legal" expert). You'll be given a date to appear before the panel, and your task before that date is to obtain as much medical and other evidence as is possible to back up your case for the rate you are asking for. You possibly have a 50% or higher chance of success - but you absolutely MUST appear in person. Try and get someone from a welfare Rights Unit, Citizen's Advice Bureau or other "expert" in benefits to accompany you. If you can't manage to get someone like that, then get your own "witness" - this can be a friend or a family member. Their job is to back up what you are saying, and provide additional verbal evidence (if asked by the panel) of how your condition/impairment affects your every day living. There are lots and lots of sites that will give you additional information about the Appeals process. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2604 http://www.rightsnet.org.uk Don't give up!!! | ||
| Justt Newbie Username: Justt Post Number: 4 Registered: 01-2009 Rating: N/A |
Thank you for the advice | ||
| Justt Forum Member Username: Justt Post Number: 5 Registered: 01-2009 Rating: N/A |
Paperwork has now gone to the tribunal. Im chassing doctors for letters to back me up and will be attending in person as advised. Should have had appointment with Physio by then (requested by Pain Specialist to prevent any further weakening/wastage of my legs) which again ill ask for letter to present to the tribunal. All in all im confident i can get enough letters to present to them disputing everything the doctor from the medical said in his report. I am also going to make a written complaint to both the Medical Services he works for (nobody answers the phone in the 3 days ive been calling them) and to the DLA department and ill also include that in paperwork to the tribunal. Awaiting telephone consultation with disability law service helpline to further advice on how best to tackle this whole thing. Thank you for the support thus far, im scared and worried and wont rest till its done but hopefull ill get through it. | ||
| Morveryn Regular Poster Username: Morveryn Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2008  Rating: N/A |
Hi, Just want to wish you luck with your tribunal. It looks like I will be going to one myself. My GP wrote a rubbish report which has put my DLA in jepardy. He won't dare go against the specialist so I don't bother to see him for my arthritis, so he hardly ever sees me. Yet in his report he knows exactly how well I can manage at home. He has never even been to my home let alone seen how I cope. Grr! |
