Anyone having to go to appeal a decision, or been refused DLA outright with RRMS?Anyone won their appeal? I’m really struggling with my ms atm but dont know where I stand. 
Because it’s assessed on how you’re affected, rather than what you’ve been diagnosed with, RRMS isn’t guaranteed to qualify.
In fact, I took one look at the form, and knew at once I didn’t have a chance, so I haven’t even bothered applying. I can’t say, in all honesty, that I can’t walk, or can’t cook a meal. These things are getting more and more arduous, but that doesn’t count, because it’s not about how pleasant it is, but just whether you CAN still do it. In my case, I can, so I can’t see the point in going through the motions of applying, just to get turned down. The irony is, that by the time I’m disabled enough to qualify, I’ll probably be too disabled to complete the application, so I won’t ever get it.
Tina
When you appeal, you have 1 month from refusal; you will receive all the correspondence from your doctors so will see who is to blame. It is invariable your Neuro or GP who are being scarce with the truth: the DLA assessor can only go on what’s in front of them.
The answers below are occurrences doctors would not know about.
At the appeal there are 3 people asking questions, a doctor, solicitor and social services agent. Don’t worry there usually very nice and make you feel at home.
Just a few ideas of the way you should answer the questions.
While hobbling along the High Street I keep near to the shops. This aids me in two ways; I am less likely to fall into the road and I can stop and look in shop windows to get a rest. I can testify that Ann Summers has the best window display.
To get High Rate you must show you need help during the night. Say something like, “I get up 2/3/4 times per night to go to the toilet, sometimes to no avail.” “My husband has to accompany me; this takes about 45 minutes each time and obviously breaks his sleep.” “It’s amazing just knowing he is there gives me so much confidence.” “He has to accompany me because once I fell over and slept where I lay that night, good job it was the middle of summer and warm.” . The examples are that examples if they are not true don’t use them.
Contact DIAL http://www.dialuk.info/ who will come around your house and help with the forms. Or Benefits and work http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ who give excellent advice.
Simple rule ‘don’t say one word when 100 will do’ in other words explain in detail. Always quote your worst; they appreciate MS is a variable condition but you may answer a question wrongly if you try and expand your answer; which is why you should get help.
Good luck
George
I applied (and got it) a while ago - the advice that I was given was to fill out the form for your absolute worst day - I think that there is help for filling in the forms online, much of the decision making is to do with how you word your answers. There is no point concentrating on what you CAN do for filling in these forms - although it is an alien concept for most of us, you need to concentrate on what you CAN’T do.
Good luck,
Luisa x
As someone has mentioned, a diagnosis of MS does not get you DLA straight away.
I was sent a form when I was first told. I read through it and thought, ‘No I don’t quailify’.
I could care for myself, cook etc and was still working full time.
However, 10 years later, things had changed so I completed the forms with total honesty and was given High mobility and Med care. I was offered this straight away without having to fight or appeal.
I often wonder was it because I didn’t apply for it until 10 years after being given a diagnosis of RRMS.
To save yourself a lot of heart ache, fill the form out yourself, being completely honest, and see where you stand. If you need to appeal it should say on the form how you go about doing this.
To be honest i dont have anyone to stay with me at night so i doubt i can get higher rate. However my legs r very wobbly, I’m very off balance,always veering to the left, with buzzing sensations and pain, the pain comes and goes but can get very intense:( I cannot walk far, even standing at times is difficult and i will need to sit down till symtoms subside. I also get the fatigue everyday on and off. I do suffer bladder frequency, I also dont go out without someone with me and use a stick for support. Despite this i need to go to appeal, my doctor has been supportive. Thank u for ur replies, ggood ur reply cheered me up lol. I’m just trying not to stress about it too much xx
George has given you excellent advice. Join ‘Benefits and Work’ website. I was denied until I followed their guide. Also they have a guide to the appeals procedure. Personally I wouldn’t apply for any benefit without using ‘Benefits and Work’.
Good luck,
Pat x
It’s not getting the help that counts it’s NEEDING it. If you need help at night - to get to the toilet, change bed clothes etc etc but manage without the help you still qualify. Peeing in a bottle and not the toilet for example is managing but it doesn’t negate the need for help to do things in a more “normal” way.
Jane