Hi Geraldine,

So sorry to hear of your problems with the DLA. It seems so easy for those who cheat the system yet the genuine claimants have to fight to get it. We wouldn't claim for these things if we didn't need the money. I was in the same position as you when I claimed about 8 years ago. I was unable to work and we needed the money otherwise I would not have dreamed of making a claim. As it was I was just awarded the low care component and no mobility but it was better than nothing.
I'm sure Rich will reply to you and help with the appeal court procedure and he will also know who you can contact about benefits. NRAS do a booklet about claiming benefits, have you got that?
Wishing you luck,

Love Doreen xx

Hi Geraldine ,


firstly it is preferable if you go to a law or advice centre such as CAB . Their specialist help may depend on which benefits you claim and what you and your partner's income and savings are .. for a basic check to see if you are entitled to legal aid help see the following link especially the legal aid eligibility counter. Direct.gov "How to get Legal aid"
Even if you are not legally aidable the advice centre should give you a breakdown of your entitlement to Benefits / Grants etc


An excellent guide about appealing DLA can be found here : "Turned Down for DLA ..." There is a link to a PDF file to download and print if you wish . Key to an appeal is gathering evidence as stated in the guide.

Unfortunately , Benefits eligibility depends entirely on your own family circumstances , such as income ,age, savings , partners income , children living at home , whether you have a mortgage or rent, pensions ,how many hours you or your partner works and obviously how your illness affects you ..
NRAS do a great booklet on Benefits here and one on DLA ..here

Also have a browse through Direct.gov...benefits and financial support

It is too specific to the individual's circumstances to give a definitive breakdown on a forum , but the above links should guide you what to look at .

Above all ..do visit an advice centre soon as it is possible that you are missing out on payments you could be entitled to ...

here are two benefit eligibility calculators ..

Benefit Advisor... Direct.gov

Turn to us

If they say NO , get this checked as it is easy to input wrong information . These should be used as a guide only.

let us know how it goes...and hope this helps

Phew my fingers hurt now :O

Rich :)

Just to say Geraldine

I went to tribunal for dla

I was in a bit of a tissy not least because of the pack they send out scares you
The sw I had contact with said that in his long experience of tribunals that no genuine case has ever had a problem
Tribunal is also independent of dla and government