I have been looking over the information for DLA the last couple of days and I have downloaded the form ready to start completing it.
Does anyone have any advice about applying?
Any help or advice would be appreciated as I don't really know what I am doing or what to expect.
Hi,
I had my form filled in for me by someone else and her advice was that don't say you can do somethings on some days. You have to remember that when they see you are able to , say cook a meal, some days , they take it you are always capable. You need to answer as if everything is how it is on your worst days. Let's face it, we normally try to struggle through but it isn't always possible and we need they help for then.
HTH.
Hugs
Jillyxx
Hey Jilly,
Thanks for your advice, it's really helpful. Hoping to make a start today 
C x
My advice would be to get your local CAB to help you with the form. Some of the questions are not as straightforward as they appear. If you can't get help, remember to state how you are on a bad day, how many good, bad and average days you get in a week. If you do things 'differently' when you have pain, describe exactly how you do things, and think of the whole picture e.g. having a bath - getting in and out, reaching for taps and soap etc,washing your hair, back, feet; do you sit down to dry yourself, do you need support? It's not necessary for you to have help, just show that it is a reasonable requirement for the majority of the time. Same with the walking questions; if you are in pain before you start, you can walk 0 metres before you feel severe discomfort. Describe the pain, where it is in your body, if it causes you to tire easily, become breathless or lightheaded, do you fall etc. Send as much medical evidence as you can, letters from GP and specialists if you have any.If you initially get turned down, don't take it personally, and appeal the decision - a lot of first time claims seem to be turned down, as if they are thinking that only genuine cases will bother to appeal, so they might get rid of a few claims. And in many cases the decisons are changed before it gets to a tribunal. Good Luck
Regarding mobility, you have to emphasise that regardless of any background pain, it's the physical act of walking which increases pain levels and or causes severe discomfort. I thought being in constant pain was enough but ended up on LRM both times. It was only when I changed my application to reflect that my pain/discomfort got significantly worse when I walked that I got HRM.
I would recommend anyone applying for benefits to contact their local CAB, DIAL or similar organisation (ex services, and their dependents, can also contact SSAFA, British Legion or Service Association) for help filling in their forms.
If you email
Info@fibroaction.org and put the heading benefits M can send you out the work and benefits guides to help with filling the forms in ...
On a personal level I fill in everything add more and then some and I have had mine go straight through with no problems....
Good luck
VG x
Hello VG,
Thank you! I have send them an email so hopefully I can get started today!
C x
Be true to form but in my experience what others advise on here and other places .
Say what you cannot do as above not what you can do and when your on your worst days think of them not the good !
My worst days there is nothing I can do (literally)
I need full time care without a doubt and I just had another major episode .
Good luck !!
I have just appealed because they completely CONTRADICTED every single thingle which I find really annoying!!
Like saying I have blond hair when clearly its brunette!!!
Yet hyper thetically everyone says I act and speak blond ?!? C
Xxxxxxxhiggles Caroline xxx
There is loads of advice out there for filling the form.... be it online or via organisations like the CAB.
Be ready and willing for a long fight though. I have a family member who applied Oct 2011 and was rejected after the Atos QUACK wrote a completely fictional medical report which contradicted all other evidence and the examination itself. They appealed the decision and are STILL waiting for a appeal tribunal date to come through.
i would ring DWP And get a form sent to you,as its then loged exactly the date your claim begins,plus ANY letters etc send recorded delivery or the one that gives you a tracking number so that it has to be signed for....plus make notes of time and name of anyone you speak to..xxxxx
hi, keep a copy of everything, and neve tick the varable on the forms, a letter to add from g.p or specialist or occ therapist or even a family member and carer would be good....best of luck...xxx
I have my atos medical on 4th June, not looking forward
To it, been told in letter can't use lift but there is 27 steps ! Also
If I need to get a taxi I have to get letter from docs explaining why!
They have made me feel like I have made the whole thing up
Even before I get there x
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