living
Reviews of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
There are currently two separate reviews of Disability Living Allowance by the Department of Work and Pensions going on
Clicking the links will take you to the DWP website.
The Right Payments Programme started in May 2007 and is an annual test sample of DLA claims every year.
The Special Rules Exercise started in November 2007 and is looking at the status of DLA recipients awarded the benefit under the special rules, with a DS1500 form that said they had a life expectancy that wasn't expected to exceed six months. Many patients with HIV or cancer had a limited life expectancy prior to the introduction of more effective treatments. Since 1996, Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy has kept HIV at bay for many people; not a cure, but a way of managing what is now being regarded as a chronic, but manageable illness. But treatment is not without side effects, so the situation for some people is not as bright as perhaps the DWP would want it to be.
If you receive a letter from DWP saying that your DLA is being reviewed, don't panic, but reassess how you are today compared to when you first claimed the benefit. You may have good days and bad days - overall just how bad are you these days? Maybe you need to keep a diary of how you get along, what care needs you have or what you can't do (and why) because you are disabled. Don't leave things out just because you've got used to something, like pain, or you've developed coping strategies - what are you like without the pain killers or the techniques you've worked out to carry on living? Write it down, don't take it for granted that anyone at DWP will understand that you cope regardless. See this news story of some research conducted at Kings College London.
There is more information available on a number of sites on the internet.
For ease, here is a link to one of the best collections of information on this subject as it relates to people with HIV. Not only is there a "blog" but a huge collection of links to expert information about HIV.
Look at http://hivdlareview.blogspot.com/ and get all the information to help you. Then make sure that your doctor (your HIV specialist and your GP if possible) know what life is like for you.
DWP are gradually updating their "Disability Handbook" that is used by adjudicators to assess how disabling certain conditions are. As of January 2008 they have not updated their new guide on HIV and AIDS.
Click this link for the existing guidance in the Disability Handbook (you want section 32)
The Citizens Advice Bureau run sessions in Wharfside
If you live in Camden, Westminster or the borough of Barnet, they may be able to help you if you need it. Camden CAB is at Wharfside every Monday and Thursday and accept self referral…. you need to call them on 020 7284 1575.
