Hello everyone

I first applied for DLA in January, owng to osteo in both knees. I was turned down twice and then appealed to Tribunal. Whe I was diagnosed with RA in May, I was ADVISED by the Disability and Carers Service to submit a fresh claim which would be considered separately, and I then withdrew from the Tribunal on the first one. I have now been refused on this new claim, all my answers were changed e.g I can now walk 100 metres not 10!! I was FURIOUS and when asked, the DCS said all my claim papers had been passed to the Tribunal. There was no answer as to why all my answers had been changed. I then had to contact the Tribunla to explain and ask for my original claim to be reinstated. They wer extremely helpful, told me my original withdrawal had not yet been logged. They also advised me to contact Community Legal Advice, and they said go to the CAB to see if I can get he,lp and someone to go to 'court' with me. Following an email and folow up letter, my claim is now going ahead, I await a date for the hearing. Why do the DLA people make you feel you are lying and cheating your way to a few pounds a week , and you end up feeling like a criminal up before the judge. Am not looking forward to the hearing, but I am determined NOT to give up. Any further advice from peeps who have been successful would be gratefully received

i am on d.l.a. low rate care comp i got first time this year i have R.A, But when my husband was alive we tried upteen times for him sadly he was awarded high rate in the may and died in the nov,but thats my story we had to fight them for 2 years for his case and several tribunals and hearings then it was medicals here there and everywhere, it wore us down, dont give in to them keep going and take all the legal advice and help going, i felt no one cared to be honest, my husband was terminal by the time he got any where, we thought that our forms were tweeked and put in the bin and like you felt like a cheat and liar, i have known people to get the dla and all sorts and they are very fit why is it that genuine cases have to fight, sorry got carried away keep going with it and talk to your doctors they can word their letter of responce to help with your claim.good luck