D.L.A.

[J.R.]

I know that there are a few people who use this site that are fully aware what D.L.A. is. For those tha5 don't, It is Disability Living Allowance.

I know that 'Call me Dave' and his loving little puppy-dog Cleggy are resolved to cutting expenditure in what is supposedly GREAT Britain, but this morning, I have started to believe it will be at the expense of the sick and disadvantaged.

Some of you probably know that my lovely wife Jan suffers from MS, (thankfully, in remission as I type), and she is in receipt of DLA. In October last year she was diagnosed with chronic arthritis and had one hip replaced, and was told the other will be replaced, hopefully during next year. She was advised to have her DLA re-assessed, and did so in September. She was then referred to a neurologist for further investigation and we are still waiting for an appointment date.

This morning, she received a letter from 'Call Me Dave's' side-kicks in our 'so-called' Government' to inform her that her application for a review had been considered and that her DLA is immediately being CUT by 70 per cent.

Where is this squeaky clean, Eton chinless wonder coming from ??

And people wonder why this country is going to the dogs....... UKIP or BNP for me and mine and any future elections.

Needless to say, we are already taking legal advice over an appeal, and I have started composing letters to the press and various authorities.

[fra828]

It is so sad to hear that JR.I do hope you get Jan's dla sorted out; it's so wrong to have to FIGHT for these things. I dread to think who Cameron will target next in his 'we won't touch the vulnerable'( ha ha) cutbacks. I cannot understand his lack of compassion My 22 year old daughter as I've mentioned here before, has Down's Syndrome, she also gets dla, haven't heard yet if it'll be affected but wouldn't be at all surprised.... Anything that she attends that is funded by social services: daycentre, overnight respite and activities such as dancing and drama, are all to be cut drastically (apart from the respite going in April, we don't know exact details yet).

[anniexf]

The best thing to do when the DWP issues scandalous decisions like this is to appeal immediately. In one town in the north of England the DWP was absolutely inundated with appeals, and most succeeded. It should be noted that very often such stupid decisions are made by DWP Adjudication Officers (after a purely cursory "tick-box" assessment) who have no medical training whatsoever. Furthermore, medical judgements/examinations are frequently made/carried out by doctors who apply for the work, who have no knowledge of individual medical histories and no interest whatsoever in the patient. Their only interest is in what the job pays. It is said that they are unofficially given a target figure of refusals to meet. I couldn't possibly comment of course. In my day, a significant number of these doctors were not originally from this country - need I say more?
A very effective organisation to turn to is the CAB. They have legally-trained staff available, can write letters/compose appeals for you, and will usually go with you to the Appeal Tribunal, if the decision isn't reversed in the meantime. Good luck. I should add that I have a friend who has two adult handicapped sons. She is well-practised in fighting the authorities so if necessary I can pass on any tips you might want.

[midget]

Good luck to all who appeal. I have a low opinion of Appeals Panels. During my time at DHSS, in what Joe called the armed branch, I was only involved in 2 appeals, both of which were won by the claiment.
In the first case the lying little toad said he "wasn't really working" whemI and others had seen him busy in his shop. The panel said they "had allowed their hearts to rule their heads" !!!!!!!
In the second case a woman had applied for her pension,using what she later said was the wrong date. I awarded the pension from the date she had quoted. She then appealed, and the panel found in her favour. I wanted to appeal that decision, the case went to HQ who reported that it was not within the power of the panel to require something illegal to be done, but in this case they would let it stand, and keep quiet about it.

[anniexf]

These days Appeals Tribunals have to have a Chairperson who is legally qualified. There's been no discretionary element to decision-making for years, as DR found out when she had to give up chairing Tribunals when the "legal expertise" regulation was introduced.

[J.R.]

Just a brief up-date. Today being the first Monday since the letter arrived, Jan has been able to have a long chat with our GP on the phone. He submitted a letter with her application, and is horrified, but not surprised at the outcome. Thankfully, he will back Jan to the hilt and she now has an appointment to see the DLA specialist at our local C.A.B. office tomorrow.

She has already e-mailed DWP to advise them of her intention for an immediate appeal.

[AKAP]

John
Good luck with the appeal, seeing your local CAB is a good step to take. I 'm not aware that the governement have made any move (yet) to reduce the DLA bill so this may well be a standard review.
Having said that there is definately an intentention to change DLA. See http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dla-reform-c ... c-summ.pdf

You may wish to participate in the consulation process, if you do you still have about a month to have your say.

[Volupturaptor]

As has already been said, appeal.
I've been through this process with my mother three times now, we've always won.
I think it's just something they do every now and then with a view to saving a few quid, as most people will curl up in a ball and accept it rather than go through the appeal process. Just the fact that you can be bothered to appeal means you will probably win.

Good luck.