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DLA advice

lou86
lou86 Community member Posts: 14 Courageous
I applied for DLA for my daughter back in January 2019. She was refused it and we are now waiting for the tribunal date to come through. Does anyone know what other information I can send to them? Should i get another statement from the school now she has a care plan in place? Or would it be better to start the whole process again?

Backstory
My daughter is 9 and has a physical disability. She is still undiagnosed after 6 years of tests and operations. The specialist thinks it is some sort of progressive myopathy.
She is in pain every single day and cant walk far. She has pain in her knees, feet and hips. She wears AFOs day and night. Her hands hurt and she has to use a laptop for her school work.
She wont play out as she cant keep up with her friends and she cant go on certain trips with school. 
She also has a wheelchair to use for trips etc.

Comments

  • lou86
    lou86 Community member Posts: 14 Courageous
    I applied for DLA for my daughter back in January 2019. She was refused it and we are now waiting for the tribunal date to come through. Does anyone know what other information I can send to them? Should i get another statement from the school now she has a care plan in place? Or would it be better to start the whole process again?

    Backstory
    My daughter is 9 and has a physical disability. She is still undiagnosed after 6 years of tests and operations. The specialist thinks it is some sort of progressive myopathy.
    She is in pain every single day and cant walk far. She has pain in her knees, feet and hips. She wears AFOs day and night. Her hands hurt and she has to use a laptop for her school work.
    She wont play out as she cant keep up with her friends and she cant go on certain trips with school. 
    She also has a wheelchair to use for trips etc.

  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,882 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @lou86. I agree! I am in the process of filling out the application form for my son (will call in the morning to check on my form).
    These are my top tips for completing the form properly:
    1-Be honest. Describe what happens during a typical day. Also list examples as well. Use the diary to help you. If you have any letters you can use them to help you too. 
    2- Answer all questions on the form. Read the entire question carefully before writing on the form. Ask someone to check it over for spelling mistakes before sending it off in the post (I recommend secure recorded delivery) for peace of mind. Mention all that on the form. Use the boxes to give information. 
    3- Keep a copy of the form on hand. This is important just in case. Always send photocopies of any letters never originals. I was told to make photocopies in advance to be mailed with the application form by my son’s social worker. Good tip!
    4- Call often to check on things. 
  • lou86
    lou86 Community member Posts: 14 Courageous
    Hello @lou86. I agree! I am in the process of filling out the application form for my son (will call in the morning to check on my form).
    These are my top tips for completing the form properly:
    1-Be honest. Describe what happens during a typical day. Also list examples as well. Use the diary to help you. If you have any letters you can use them to help you too. 
    2- Answer all questions on the form. Read the entire question carefully before writing on the form. Ask someone to check it over for spelling mistakes before sending it off in the post (I recommend secure recorded delivery) for peace of mind. Mention all that on the form. Use the boxes to give information. 
    3- Keep a copy of the form on hand. This is important just in case. Always send photocopies of any letters never originals. I was told to make photocopies in advance to be mailed with the application form by my son’s social worker. Good tip!
    4- Call often to check on things. Thanks, I think I need to see citizens advice as I have done all that and they haven't even contacted any of the professionals on the list i gave them. They have misinterpreted many things on there as well. After i found this out I corrected them but they didnt change anything and carried on with what they originally said
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,882 Disability Gamechanger
    I hope this is helpful!
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 53,333 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi,

    I wouldn't advise you to start a new claim while you're waiting for the Tribunal. If you start a new claim now then any new decision made will overrule the Tribunal decision and it will complicate things even further.

    You need to carry on with the Tribunal and send any other evidence you have to them. Do bare in mind that any worsening of condition since the decision was made will not be taken into consideration by the Tribunal.

    For DLA you need to prove that she needs more care and attention than a child the same age that doesn't have a disability.

    You could be waiting a year or more the hearing date because waiting times across the country are huge. Good luck.


    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.

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