Hello to all,

Newbie to the boards but have been lurking for a few weeks reading posts..

I have two sons, i am a carer to my eldest who is nearly 6.. He has severe epilepsy with several different presenting seizure types that struggles to be controlled with medication.

I have had High Rate Care component of DLA since he was 3 as this was when he was diagnosed but his latest hospital admission prompted me to ask them to look at his claim again for the mobility component.

I put my claim for in around 3 weeks ago and got a reply (i was very shocked at how quick it was!) to say we have been awarded Low rate mobility.

I'm a bit disappointed as his seizures (the worst of which are drop attacks and status) cause him to fall unconscious to the ground at any time numerous times a day but also he has severely impaired co-ordination and balance, with no sense of danger and also behavioural problems. He trips and falls numerous times a day, i can count on one hand the number of playtimes he's had since he returned to school a fortnight ago as he falls and needs ice applied as its usually his head/face. Today he has completely grazed his nose and forehead from falling due to lack of co-ordination and balance, not even seizures!

My son has seen an educational psychologist a few times as i had concerns about autism or ADHD as his behaviour is extremely challenging and he is a real danger to himself. He doesn't have any diagnosis of anything though as the Ed psych has said hes on so much medication its unlikely they will ever know if its something like autism or the effects of his medication.

Should i appeal and if so where do i start, do i write them a letter or do i go to tribunal? i notice both must be done within a month of the date of the letter so i just dont want to waste any time!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards
- Elaine

you can firstly phone up the decision maker and ask them to look at the claim again as you feel the decision was wrong. what sort of information/support did you provide!?

xx

What sort of frequency are the drop attacks happening and was this detailed on the application?

(08-26-2010 04:45 PM)Daniel Wrote:  What sort of frequency are the drop attacks happening and was this detailed on the application?

They are variable. He has cluster weeks where he has had up to 17 a day and that usually then results in day after day of Non Convulsive Status Epilepticus.

As for the support i put in with my claim, i added a letter of support from a support worker who has worked with the whole family and also a reference from a family friend in the optional part they give you to fill in.

I called this afternoon as it appeared that they hadn't backdated the mobility and its been awarded from the date the letter was sent. I got told by a lady rather bluntly that the decision maker who dealt with my claim was on leave and as i was asking for it to be backdated my claim would need to be re-call my claim to be looked at again by someone else who may decide that im not entitled to anything and this may take 12 weeks.... they only just awarded it, but i said thats fine and went along with it as i'm appealing anyway.. not sure if that was the right thing to do and maybe i shouldve mentioned to her that i wasnt happy with the mobility decision..?

thx
- Elaine

i would suggest getting a letter of support from her main doctor too and just send that in for the person who is going to look at it again. sounds like the lady was just trying to put you off...good for you for going along with it anyway, you should most deffiantly appeal if they turn it down secind time round. goodluck

xx