Re: The Benefits System
 

Almost right DrA

DLA is a fully non means tested benefit.

Basically what happened was they brought together two separate systems under one heading DLA

It is possible to be entitled to either or both components each being assessed on your level of need and awarded at one of three rates for care and two rates for Mobility.

There is no cross linking between entitlement to each other (Care and Mobility) as both have to be qualified for separately.

What is true is that if you appeal against the decision on one you run the risk of them considering the other as well and in each case you can end up getting either benefit at a lower level or removed altogether. (Bit like snatching "Oliver's" bowl away for having the audacity to ask for more)

Awards are made for either a specific period of time or "an indefinite period". This replaced the old "For life" awards in recent amendments to the regulations. Under the new regime all awards must be reviewed periodically and in all cases at least once every five years regardless of the duration of an award.

These days any medical examinations tend to be carried out in the claimants own home by an EMP (Examining Medical Practitioner) These are employed by the company "Sema" which has the contract for all such work now but has been the subject of much controversy due to the lack of care in how these have been undertaken.

Re: The Benefits System
 

That's not right at all Dr A.

The mobility component is not dependant on qualifying for any rate of the care component. I get lower rate care and higher rate mobility.

Claims are decided by a Decision Maker (used to be called Adjudication Officer) and usually involve a medical examination carried out by a doctor worksing for SEMA (called an Examining Medical Practitioner). The claim can be awarded for any period that the Decision Maker decides and can be looked at again if the claimant considers his/her condition has altered or at the whim of the DWP.


EDIT: Sociable beat me to it.

Re: The Benefits System
 

i only filled and posted the forms last friday , i got a call yesterday asking where i would like my money paid to , if i am successful of course , now does this mean they have NO :eek: backlog or what :confused: