Turned down for DLA/AA? Think you're not getting enough?
Download Turned down for DLA/AA? Think you´re not getting enough? (376K)
´I´ve received a huge pack of papers! What do I do?´
´What do I need to do before the hearing?´
Writing useful evidence for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance appeals
´What should I do on the day?´
´What happens after the hearing?´
Rose's Statement
Rose sent this statement to the panel before her hearing. If you are writing one yourself it might be useful to see the sort of things she said. On the right, we've explained why what she has written is useful, to help you write yours.
| I am writing to you to explain my condition and my reason for appealing the decision to award me the lower rate of case of DLA. | |
| I am appealing the decision as I believe that I am entitled to the middle rate of care. I have ulcerative colitis and severe depression and this means that I need a lot of help during the day. |
Say what you think you are entitled to, and tell them what conditions you have.
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| I find moving around painful and hard because I have pain in my limbs, and I am unsteady on my feet. I need to go to the toilet frequently, and afterwards I feel sick and exhausted. I often soil myself. |
Explain the main symptoms of your condition and how it affects you.
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| Because of my depression, I often can't face getting up and all the pain ahead of me, so I stay in bed - sometimes all day, except when I have to go to the toilet. |
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| On better days (approximately 3 days a week) I will get up and go downstairs to sit in a chair and watch TV. I never do very much because, even on the good days, I am very tired. When my sister is with me she encourages me to get up and helps me to get downstairs. |
If your condition is better on some days than it is on others, explain what help you need on both. If you can, say how frequently you have better days and bad days.
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| It is very painful to have a bath because of the pain and stiffness in my limbs (my shower is in the bath). I am not steady on my feet and getting into the bath is very painful and it feels dangerous, so I don't do it unless my sister is there to help me in and out. |
If you can, spell out what help you get - or what help you would get in an ideal world.
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| Washing my hair causes a lot of pain in my arms and shoulders and I often cannot do it at all, so I need help. Drying myself is very painful too because I cannot bend enough to do my calves and feet. |
Explain exactly what problems you have with each part of looking after yourself.
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| Usually I just wash my face or have a quick wash with a flannel at the sink. |
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| Last year I fell when trying to get out of the bath - I wasn't badly hurt, but it shook me up. |
If you have ever been hurt (or might have been), or have hurt somebody else because of your illness, tell them. You should also say if you have ever hurt yourself on purpose.
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| Some days I don't really wash at all because I don't have any help. |
Say if there is anything you don't do because you don't have the help you need.
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| The letter from my social worker, Karen Beardsley, confirms this. |
Refer to any other evidence that backs up what you are saying.
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| Being dirty and looking bad makes me feel depressed, so I don't like to go out or see anyone. But there is nothing I can do about it. |
If not getting the help you need causes other problems, it is very useful to say so. They won't make the connection for themselves.
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| I find it hard to dress myself too because I find buttons and the fastening on my bra too hard. Even putting on knickers, jogging bottoms and a jumper is tiring for me, and sometimes I don't change them when I need to, because I can't without help. |
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| Because of my colitis I have to go to the toilet 5 or 6 times during the day. It leaves me exhausted and feeling sick and I have to lie down afterwards. Most of the time I do get to the toilet in time, but sometimes - approximately twice a week - I don't make it. |
Remember to say how frequently things happen.
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| Even when I do get to the bathroom on time, because of the blood and mucus, I often need to wash myself and change my clothes afterwards. |
This level of detail may seem unnecessary, but it will help the panel understand your condition.
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| Sometimes I don't have the energy to do this immediately so have to stay in my dirty clothes. I also have to clean the toilet before it stains, and I can't because of the tiredness and pain. |
Remember to say everything -even things that you might find embarrassing. It will be a lot easier to write it down than to say it in the hearing.
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| As I have said, washing properly is very painful and I can't manage it without help. I also have to use a cream after each bowel movement. I often can't use this because I have been unable to wash, which makes it more painful. |
Don't be afraid to say things twice, if they are relevant twice.
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| I can't cook a proper meal for myself and my sister says I don't eat properly. Even opening a tin and putting the hob on is painful so I find it hard to find the motivation to cook. I make a microwave meal or some toast, or don't eat at all. |
Try to say everything and explain all your problems.
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| I can't remember the last time I was able to cook a proper meal by myself. Last year my sister was trying to encourage me to cook. She asked me to move a pan on the stove but my wrists were too weak and I spilt it, scalding my foot. I don't even try now. |
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| My sister tries to cook for me sometimes, and she brings me microwave meals. She phones me from work most days to ask if I've eaten and encourage me to make something if I haven't. |
The help you get or need might not be physical help - it might be encouragement, reminding or prompting.
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