Dla Timescales

[Eve]

Hi,

I got my form in online a week ago and just wondered what kind of timescales people have experienced.

Do they invite you in for an interview or medical examination? Happy to do either but it's be useful to know timescale wise.

[bednobs]

it took 12 weeks for mine when i used to get it, and after the 12 weeks the answer was no. I appealed and they reversed the decision and backdated it to the original application date. No interview or medical for me

[furrypusscat]

Can be 10 to 12 weeks for decision to be made. Depends on what medical evidence you have and whether they have sufficient information from your form and evidence from your GP or specialist as to whether you have to have a medical. From June (I believe) it will be the new Personal Independance Payment that will be applied for if in one of the areas where it is first being rolled out. Good luck with it.

[furrypusscat]

If you have a CAB office or welfare rights officer locally, I would suggest you have a word with them, they can advise and even fill out your form if you wish. Also suggest keeping copy of form.

[emmie]

keep a copy of everything, they do have a tendency to turn down applications, mind you DLA is being scrapped, new applicants will have to apply for Personal Independence something, sorry forgotten the name of it

[Eve]

Thanks both. A good few months then.

I'm sending in a load of copy letters from some of my consultants/physio though I don't get copied into all the letters, like gastro don't copy me in, mostly rhumo.

I'm hoping my work assessment comes through soon, it was a bespoke DSE/OH referral with ATOS. She was very very good (and advised me herself to apply for DLA) though it's been over a month and still awaiting the written report. Thought it could be good to send if it has appropriate stuff in it.

I've just got my disability bus pass. It's no good for work as only after 9.30am and I'm in for 7am though good for using trams to get about the city centre easier and to larger supermarkets so will definitely be a help.

I can get out to some other places easier too without having to get a bus (much longer and more uncomfortable and getting to bus stops) and just to be somewhere different even if it's just another part of Manchester for a coffee! Still can't get very far but just nice to be somewhere else for a while.

[furrypusscat]

Personal Independance Payment is going to be more difficult to get so don't hang about sending your application in. DLA is difficult enough, don't be surprised if you are turned down on your 1st attempt but if you are you have a right to ask for decision to be looked at again and if still turned down you can appeal.

[bednobs]

have you started the new treatment yet?

[Eve]

I have a copy of the form (saved from online) and only sending photocopies.

I'm expecting to be turned down first time, seems to be par for the course, especially I imagine with the new PIP payment system approaching.

I got some advice for this one (not CAB) but will go to them if I have to appeal (as I'm expecting).

Bednobs, do you have RA problems with your knees? Asked another question in Health & Fitness if you could have a look if you have had anything similar?

[Eve]

I have had 2 weeks of injections so far, they are sliding me up the doses again so had two weeks of 15mg and then 2 weeks of 20mg then see rhumo nurse to get sorted with Homecare to look to go up to 25mg then once settled on injections they said they will look to go on a biologic (maybe at my consultant apt in June).

My ESR has been up again and my CRP has bounced up too so will be interesting to see what my next bloods are in a few weeks, see if it's made a difference.

My hips are bad again so need to ask about steroid injections in them when I see my nurse in a few weeks as she is going to see about doing my shoulders then.