From: macpic91@gmail.com on behalf of DLA Help Group [info@dlahelpgroup.com]
Sent: 10 February 2011 01:24
To: DWP Consultation DLAReform
Subject: DLA Help Group

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
DLA Help Group Response to DLA Reform Consultation

For over 10 years DLA Help Group (an informal internet group) have sought to reform DLA in a more positive way.

The main problem with most DLA claims is that when people are ill and become disabled through modern day illnesses like Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to name but two, many fail because they presume an overall illness will qualify for DLA at some level.  Most are not aware that in reality the qualifying criteria are legal ones not medical ones.  A whole cycle of appeals then ensues as the claimant has to justify the effects of their illness in terms of the law.  Some of the legal points can be too complicated for many claimants to deal with on their own.

The biggest secondary problem as witnessed by the levels of requests for help and advice received, is the medical examinations that are sometimes requested by Decision Makers.

Very often the perception is that the doctor sent to examine the claimant is employed by the government and is therefore biased. Many claimants argue that the Examining Medical Practitioner (EMP) is not sympathetic to their ailments and suffering or that in many cases were Health Care Professionals (HCPs) are employed to do reports, the claimant feels that they are not adequately qualified or experienced  to understand sometimes rare and complex conditions.

It is with these two large problem areas in mind that DLA Help Group believes the reform of DLA must be driven by end user experience and not some desire to merely save money by imposing even harsher tests and criteria.

From the end users point of view DLA is difficult to claim because the qualifying criteria are not spelled out next to each question in the application form.  For instance, when asked about walking it is not sufficiently clear that they are being asked about walking outside the home only.  Much could be done to improve the "plain English" aspect of the forms.

From the end user's point of view the medical examinations at present are seen to be inaccurate and just and attempt to "justify stopping benefits", much as an insurance loss adjuster would strive to minimise a claim for their clients the insurance company.

To try and make medical assessments more accurate DLA Help Group have always encouraged the use of a claimants own GP and Specialists to form an opinion as to the extent and effects of a persons disabilities and needs rather than a 30 minute quick look by someone only looking for anomalies in a claim.

Again, an end user driven basis for reform is, in our opinion, the only way that DLA will be improved.

The other aspect that worries us is the fact that 25% or more of present claimants may lose entitlement if a more stringent ESA like examination is brought in.

The removal of people who had previously been assessed as needing significant levels of help and having mobility problems of varying severity from DLA will  have many concomitant effects.  

For instance, many DLA claimants depend upon their motability cars to stay in work.   Many will not be able to work after the reforms. Those who use their DLA for public transport and  taxis would also suffer.

Many people getting DLA for care needs use some of the money to pay for their care requirements, it is stretching the imagination to believe these needs will be met by already cash strapped local authorities.

Our appeal to the government is to stop and think of all the ramifications of what they are proposing with DLA reform.  It is  said they want to "support people" and that many are "abandoned on benefits", but in reality the individuals involved lead quite fulfilling lives in many cases although they are unable to work in the normal sense.

Work cannot be seen as a "cure all" for all types  of sick and disabled people, far from it, many on DLA can only dream of getting a decent job and earning a high salary.

To conclude, DLA Help Group believes an end user led review of the problems associated with claiming DLA and a desire to make the medical assessment less biased and fairer will make DLA more applicable and fit for purpose in the future.

DLA Help Group rejects the idea that DLA needs replacing, rather that it can be improved further.

Ian Sandeman
for
DLA Help Group
http://dlahelpgroup.com