can anyone please help me. i received my refusal letter for DLA on saturday and i really cannot believe i was not awarded it. i have

[bbstport]

osteoarthritis in several joints and i am being referred back to a rheumatologist as my gp thinks i have fibro - i am in permanent pain. who is the best people to help me with an appeal

please

[Hidden]

I don,t know what you can do but I totally sympathise I have had fybromyalgia for 22 years and osteoarthritis is both Knees and hand joints...... Have applied twice for dla as I can't turn my neck to the right so can't drive any more either and all they give me is the lowest rate for care £19 pounds a week that doesn't even cover taxi fares when I am too sore to use my mobility scooter. Which I bought on my credit card. And am paying back slowly I have a cleaner cos I can't bend with my knees..... I asked the dla to contact all the people I have to see due to my condition ..... They don't .......they just write back that the only bit I am entitled to is lowest care rate cos I can't lift hot heavy pans with my hands and every other bit of my body that doesn't work and the fact that taxis cost me a fortune .. My husband doesn't drive ...they ignore. We have had to downsize to a tiny bungalow to be able to afford to live so the money we are saving on heating etc gets spent on cleaner and taxis. I like you would love to know how to get the dla to realise fibro is painful debilitating and makes it impossible for some of us to work. I am 47 feel like 87 don't drink smoke can't drive... I too do the penguin shuffle ...love the name found it on here but no I don't qualify for any mobility benefit...... Sorry to whine on but I am totlally baffled how people who get it are then exposed as benefit cheats when they are out working dancing etc and we are sore fed up and really disabled and short of cash and refused. Please if anyone knows how to get dla at a reasonable level let us know. Oh and I am not implying that all dla recipients are benefit cheats. Just makes me mad that you see so many exposed on tv.

[bbstport]

thanks for that - i am new to this group and this is the first post i have put on here. i just feel so mad as i have worked all my life and i came off sick in february this year and i am still off sick - workk visited me last week and they will give me another 2 months or i will loose my job as well. i have used a lot of my savings while off sick - this really stresses me out.

thanks for listening

x

[Hidden]

Anytime.... Like you I had to give up work I just had too many days sick. I am newish to this site and i have found if no one can answer they are hear to listen and support. So please post whenever ..if you are feeling good or down or need an answer . The worst thing about it is stress makes us worse and once work or dla stress us out they just let us go xxx

[bbstport]

thanks for that - i have read quite a few posts on here and everyone seems very understanding and listens no matter what people post so i think i will be useing it a lot more. x

[Hidden]

C.a.b there are lawyers who can help too.also independent living centre.

[bbstport in reply to Hidden]

what is the independant living centre please

[Hidden in reply to bbstport]

Its a place for people with disabilitys.they help with anything from arranging support in your home to gping with you to appeals.they are great.

[bbstport in reply to Hidden]

thanks for that i will see if i can find one in stockport

[Hidden]

Hi bbstport, I would definitely say the CAB, I know my local one has a great reputation for helping. They will ask you to produce as much documentary evidence as you can by which they mean consultant letters etc.

I was recently turned down despite several illnessesses including cancer as well as fibro and that's what I'm having to do. I realise my original aplication didn't include enough supporting letters or other documentation.

Good luck.

Christine

[julieevh]

It is normal for them to turn you down first time - let them know you want a reconsideration and that should do the trick.

DLA and ESA are difficult forms because the right thing has to be in the right box - a nightmare. I signed up for the "Benefits and Work" website - their booklets of information helping you to fill in the forms are fantastic and helped me get DLA and ESA simply by rearranging what I had to say to meet the criteria for each section.

Good luck

Julie x

[chilli50 in reply to julieevh]

Hi Julie,

Im also a member of benefits and work but havent had the courage to fill the forms in until now. Can you give me any tips? I dont know if its fibrofog but i seem to be confusing myself! Lol. i have fibro, raynauds and stress related gastritis. Also depression. At the moment i take tramadol and lansoprazole as well as paracetamol. I was on pregabalin but they have taken me off this as they want to try me on duloxetine. Should i wait until i have my meds sorted out or should i just apply now. Also, can i apply for both ESA and DLA at the same time?

Sorry for the questions!

Love and gentle hugs

Chilli xxx

[julieevh in reply to chilli50]

I worked my way through it using the benefitsandwork document like a check list. I got my daughter to read my answers through for me and she suggested things I had really taken for granted.

You can apply for ESA and DLA at the same time, the sooner you ask for the forms the sooner you get your payments. Include the same evidence in each .... the more evidence the better; you can give from medical folk, carers, care plans, social workers, employers, prescription lists and so on the better.

On the ESA avoid clicking "it varies'; ask yourself if you could perform the action repeatedly any day. If the answer is that you can not then answer with a "No" and explain accordingly.

Julie x

[bbstport in reply to julieevh]

i have phined them and asked for a re-consideration - when you look what they say in their response it is the opposite that i have put on my application so i await the re-consideration and if still no joy i will appeal - thanks for your advice x

[bindilou]

the best people to help u with appeals are the disability right coalition they have one in norfolk not sure about suffolk. I was getting dla up until october last yrwhen renewal came in sent off with plenty of evidence but lost appealed in january this yr lost too asked for paperwork on their decision and still waiting for it after calling them numerous times.

I have chronic fibro, raynauds disease, diverticulitis which is severe after op in jan this yr and i also have left side weakness due to a stroke i had in 2006 but DLA dont seem to think i need it i have numerous consultants i,m under and all say i cant work too forgot to mention i have had 2 tumours on my brain and now have a shadow in my visual lobe. I wonder how ill i have to be before i get help too !!!!! ????

[bbstport in reply to bindilou]

do they have one in stockport please ?

[Ang01]

My local CAB were fab in helping with my appeals for both ESA and DLA. They usually have or know if someone very experienced in this field so worth contacting them. Hope you get some help, you need all the help you can get to help fight the system, good luck and take care, Love Angela x

[julieevh in reply to Ang01]

CAB are fantastic - problem is getting an appointment because there funding has been cut.

Ask for a CAB appointment on the same day as you ask for the DLA and/or ESA forms to be sent to you .... hopefully you'll get an appointment before the forms have to be in.

Julie x

[bbstport]

thanks for that - i rang D L A people today and asked that another asessor look at the appllication - if i get no joy i will then go for an appeal. i have never in my life had to do anything like this and the form itself was a total nightmare. thank you for your reply

love

belinda x

[julieevh in reply to bbstport]

Well done Belinda - start collecting your extra evidence in case you need to go to appeal, overwhelm the assessors with reasons to accept you

Julie x

[bbstport in reply to julieevh]

cheers for that

belinda x

[rosehip]

i got turned down saturday but i am not suprised at all The system stinks . I am going to fight it though x

[bbstport in reply to rosehip]

you must fight it just like i am x

[paula1967]

ask them if it was a doctor who deals with fibro who you saw, on the benifit site linked to this one there is a statement there where we should be seen by a doctor who deals wish fibro, ive just printed this out and sent it with my appeal letter as it states to copy and to take it with you xx paula x

[bbstport]

i havent even seen a doctor x

[rosehip]

i avnt seen a gp just filled form in and was refused x

[bbstport in reply to rosehip]

r they looking at it agin for youbefore you appeal x

[paula1967]

have a look at the tags on here the benifit section it helps you to fill the forms in xxpaula

[bbstport]

thank you paula

[Suzyfibro54]

I my self was also turned down this year for DLA, I also have Fibro and Osteo , along with Raynards and Irratble Bowel. It seems too me that thousands of Ill people have been refused this year. I think it is where they have toughened up the law and also Introducing the PIP's, it is ludicrous, But what can we do? I fell for you, but am also very angry. Gentle Hug's Fron Suzy fibro xxx

[bbstport]

same to you suzy x

[Shortnsweet54]

Hi bbsport,

Well i'm not surprised you were turned down, seems standard practice sadly.

However help is at hand on here and out there.

I was turned down after a "medical" in June 2010, put in an appeal and won it in July 2011.

Ask for a reconsideration, and if that is not successful tell them you want to appeal and take the paperwork to citizens Advice. If you can't get an appt in the required time you've got to fill the form in,( a month I think) phone them and then send them a letter to say you need help with an appeal and can't get an appt . Cover all your bases as it were, as i don't trust them an inch!

The lady i saw at CAB was brilliant and filled the form in for me. I was really alarmed though when she said all she did was fill in appeal forms, says something about the whole shambolic system!! Keep copies of everything you do, just in case anything gets "lost" or they trot out the "oh we've not received it" line.

Tsk, just seen a post above you wrote so am repeating what you've already done..:-} xx

It is a nightmare and very frustrating, but you've got nothing to lose and all to win.

good luck and keep us posted

Jan H xx

[bbstport]

thanks for your reply jan and will keep you updated - i cannot believd how much response i have had on here and how many people want to help you

belinda x

[LindseyMid]

Some Benefits info on the FibroAction website:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Benef...

Email us at [e-mail] and I can send the Benefits&Work guides out for free.

I would recommend getting a written copy of the report your GP sent to the DWP. I once had a GP who didn't have a clue and said I had zero mobility issues and could self care without a problem - at the time I was disabled, sometimes housebound and had careworkers coming in to bathe and dress me!

[bbstport in reply to LindseyMid]

i have sent the e mail as you suggested. i cannot believe what you said about your repost it was my occupational therapist who they contacted i will speak to her as i have another appointment with herr in a couple of weeks. thanks for your help

[nikki40fibrosufferer in reply to LindseyMid]

mee to linsey. ive battled medical proffesionals most of my life. its not fair, we have to endure the pain and hyper sensitivity all the times of our exsistance is bad enough. xxx

[shopaholic]

keep fightin..i was turned down twice and then i won my appeal last fri,,,,i was so pleased and like many on here i have several other conditions as well as fibro......keep as much evidence as u can...all ur hosp appiontments etc and all the doctors info...get it in wtitin...thats what i did....and im so pleased it finally worked!!!!!best of luck....luv n hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[bbstport]

congratulations to you - you must have put up a big fight. thanks for advice and support

hugs

x

[goldwing]

I have had fibro for several years and have been receiving low rate carers part of DLA. I have lots of other medical conditions which have developed over years and have applied twice for more DLA, and have been refused. It made me feel so angry when I watch the TV and see those that get all this money, go to work and do lots of activities when I can't get to my front gate most days, some days can't leave my bedroom. I came across the Benefits and Work site and this gave me help and determination to apply again. My application is pending at the moment so watch this space!!!!!!!. This time I will appeal if I don't get it. I did a diary for a week and sent a copy with my application, so they could see my ups and downs, along with letters from physio and OT, which the Benefits and work site advise you to do if you can. I will let you know what happens...........

I don't know if you know but you can download and print off the dla application, which means you can fill it in at your leisure, I did a few pages a day, and got my friend to read it before sending it off. They take the claim from the day they receive it but it means you are not pressured to the 4 week deadline and if you do it wrong you can just print off that page again and redo.

[Fed-up]

Hi. I had medical with atos for ESA I have fbro and osteo in hands ,feet ,knees and I passed the medical (I was shocked) even going get a Xmas bonus. Then got phone call from benefits say my money would stop end of April as I've been on it 365days and the lovely government have decided now I should get a job. I cannot claim any income support as my husband works full time. I am not well enough to work at moment I have no voice. Therefore my husband and i have decided I would be kept woman. This has affected a other friend. Any person who has been on ESA for 365 days will have their money stopped. I thought I would let people know

[bbstport]

omg that is terrible

[nikki40fibrosufferer]

im so sorry to hear this,my advice is to try and either appeal or fill out another dla form. im advising YOU this, but i need to do the same. i was getting low rate dla from 2004, after years of suffering. then last year i was told by my doctor at the time, and the doc that diagnosed me with fm. said that i should put in for middle rate. so i got the form, but because i couldnt fill the form in myself, i asked a support worker that add been appointed to me, to help me fill the form in. which i did in the febuary, by the april they, the dla had stopped my extra mooney and now im too weak to fill the form in. so im so sorry, but im in the same boat, as they say. kind regards. nicola

[bbstport]

i am so sorry to hear that nicola it is terrible the way we are treated - yet other people can get what they want without filling in all these difficult forms etc - keep your chin up x belinda

[traceybarker]

hi hun ive been turned down dla since 2010 hun an i am stiill fighting for my right ,im at my trabunral on tuesday 31st not looking forward to it at all , about time i got something , but not had nothing ,so i hope i win it this time ,if not will still fight for my right .

[bbstport in reply to traceybarker]

that is terrible hope it goes well for you

belinda

[parho in reply to traceybarker]

Good luck with your tribunial, hope you win this time.

[trekster22]

I highly recommend the benefitsandwork.co.uk website for explaining your symptoms.