The DWP and DVLA experience!
For those who don't know the:
Here are my stories:
- DVLA (Department of Vehicle Licencing) say whether you can drive or not
- DWP (Department for Work & Pensions) - say whether you can claim money or not, benefits or otherwise
Here are my stories:
DVLA
In September of 2011 when I went back to my GP we discussed the requirements for me to be able to be allowed to drive a car. Mind you I had never been told I couldn't, I had just taken the decision that it was best if I didn't under the circumstances.
In October I had further chats with my GP and she came up with some meaningful tests about whether I could move my feet enough. I also explained that I could get a car which had features to enable me to need to use my feet a lot less (see below). My goal was to actually do my job I needed a car and so I had to be fit to drive. No driving no job! (fairly good motivation)
So she wrote to the DVLA with my notes and her opinions on the tests and we waited for a response.
And waited...... and waited......
I have had my car replaced, as I could wait no longer, with one that is automatic and has adaptive cruise control (which means I set the speed and the car adjusts automatically according to traffic speeds). Being a Volvo the normal setting puts you so far behind the car in front, you are in the previous Post Code, so I set it to minimal, but it does mean I can rest my legs completely for long sections of driving, which makes a massive difference.
Finally in April of 2012 I had a letter from the DVLA. This had 1 sentence stating I am fit to drive, so 8 months, 1 sentence, 0 examinations - oh well at least it was a YES!
In October I had further chats with my GP and she came up with some meaningful tests about whether I could move my feet enough. I also explained that I could get a car which had features to enable me to need to use my feet a lot less (see below). My goal was to actually do my job I needed a car and so I had to be fit to drive. No driving no job! (fairly good motivation)
So she wrote to the DVLA with my notes and her opinions on the tests and we waited for a response.
And waited...... and waited......
I have had my car replaced, as I could wait no longer, with one that is automatic and has adaptive cruise control (which means I set the speed and the car adjusts automatically according to traffic speeds). Being a Volvo the normal setting puts you so far behind the car in front, you are in the previous Post Code, so I set it to minimal, but it does mean I can rest my legs completely for long sections of driving, which makes a massive difference.
Finally in April of 2012 I had a letter from the DVLA. This had 1 sentence stating I am fit to drive, so 8 months, 1 sentence, 0 examinations - oh well at least it was a YES!
DWP
In September I had looked at possible benefits and come to the conclusion they were all means tested and so I would not qualify. However in November when talking to my GP she stated that there were some to do with driving (motability allowance) and looking after (carers allowance).
So I filled in the forms to the best of my ability (though in hindsight I should have gone to the CAB to get the right words put on the forms - as if it contains the right phrases they are more likely to pass it). It was sent off. I was after the motability allowance at the high level as I couldn't walk more than 10 metres, but I also needed assistance to look after myself as I couldn't cook and me trying to move any pan or hot dish was going to end in disaster, so for any meals and other household chores I was incapable.
I chased it after four weeks and was told I would have to wait and just after Christmas 2012, I was told I didn't qualify. The problem was they hadn't even contacted my GP to get any sort of medical opinion on my capabilities or even spoke to me. I then found out that they almost always refused the first claim - almost to see if you would appeal and I found that really annoying.
So I re-filled in the forms and got a form for my GP to fill in and sent them all off again, including notes from my physio to explain my actual capabilities. So again I waited..... and waited.....
They are proving even worse than the DVLA! All I was after was assistance in getting my car changed so I could continue to drive (and hopefully keep my job!) and it would be nice to give my mother-in-law something for the days she comes in and looks after me.
I phoned and left messages and no one got back in touch, I phoned again a week later and they fobbed me off! They stated they do not have enough medical information, despite doctors letters and numerous others, plus me volunteering to be examined either personally or over the phone. So I asked to talk to a medical examiner and nearly 3 weeks later - no sign of them (as my paperwork seems to be stuck in their system), but the further excuses I was given are gems:
I gave up and wrote to my MP in desperation to see if they can get anywhere - but it seems to me that the DWP are just trying to outlast me!
My MP got further with the DWP (Department of Work & Pensions) regarding my application for allowances to assist with care and mobility, than I did (that's the good news). The bad/funny news, as you have to laugh, is they had mislaid (lost?) my case notes and are conducting a level three search. This means they have had two searches and not found them and are having a third look. What really makes me cross is all the excuses and the fact they haven't told me anything. I had to resort to my MP to get this far. Incompetent bureaucrats or what! Now I had to wait and see what they will do next.....
I actually got this news when on holiday in Jersey (see another page). The "fun" news - The DWP have lost my file!!!!!! So they wanted me to fill in all the paperwork again! (this includes all the forms, notes from physio's, GP's and other documents) I phoned them up and explained I had done the main form electronically in the first place, Thus I didn't have to fill it in all again and as I had retained a copy of the GP's report I could also re-send this to them. This was a complete joke I could give them the main bits again but I couldn't go back and get all the other information as I didn't know where it had come from. Are they totally incompetent or what! And I never got any sort of apology!!!! They had lost everything and it was up to me to get it back!
Having re-sent what I could, they finally stated they think there was enough information to make a decision and I would be receiving a letter at the end of April (fingers - and everything else were well and truly crossed!)
The DWP finally made a decision and awarded me some allowances, this means the car changes have been paid for (and they have back dated them by nearly six months) - I may even get a new car :-). I have to be re-assessed in 18 months, but they got there in the end! I just hope others do not face the struggle I have had - but have a feeling they do at least in the UK!
So I filled in the forms to the best of my ability (though in hindsight I should have gone to the CAB to get the right words put on the forms - as if it contains the right phrases they are more likely to pass it). It was sent off. I was after the motability allowance at the high level as I couldn't walk more than 10 metres, but I also needed assistance to look after myself as I couldn't cook and me trying to move any pan or hot dish was going to end in disaster, so for any meals and other household chores I was incapable.
I chased it after four weeks and was told I would have to wait and just after Christmas 2012, I was told I didn't qualify. The problem was they hadn't even contacted my GP to get any sort of medical opinion on my capabilities or even spoke to me. I then found out that they almost always refused the first claim - almost to see if you would appeal and I found that really annoying.
So I re-filled in the forms and got a form for my GP to fill in and sent them all off again, including notes from my physio to explain my actual capabilities. So again I waited..... and waited.....
They are proving even worse than the DVLA! All I was after was assistance in getting my car changed so I could continue to drive (and hopefully keep my job!) and it would be nice to give my mother-in-law something for the days she comes in and looks after me.
I phoned and left messages and no one got back in touch, I phoned again a week later and they fobbed me off! They stated they do not have enough medical information, despite doctors letters and numerous others, plus me volunteering to be examined either personally or over the phone. So I asked to talk to a medical examiner and nearly 3 weeks later - no sign of them (as my paperwork seems to be stuck in their system), but the further excuses I was given are gems:
- "There are over 3,000 people in this building!" - to the fact my paper work had been passed (supposedly) to a different department
- "We can't just go and get them!" - again it was too big!
- "they are a different post code you know!" - same building, same department, same organisation, same buck passing!
- "You can't speak to a medical person you have to speak to a decision maker" - when trying to get someone to see what I could and couldn't do!
I gave up and wrote to my MP in desperation to see if they can get anywhere - but it seems to me that the DWP are just trying to outlast me!
My MP got further with the DWP (Department of Work & Pensions) regarding my application for allowances to assist with care and mobility, than I did (that's the good news). The bad/funny news, as you have to laugh, is they had mislaid (lost?) my case notes and are conducting a level three search. This means they have had two searches and not found them and are having a third look. What really makes me cross is all the excuses and the fact they haven't told me anything. I had to resort to my MP to get this far. Incompetent bureaucrats or what! Now I had to wait and see what they will do next.....
I actually got this news when on holiday in Jersey (see another page). The "fun" news - The DWP have lost my file!!!!!! So they wanted me to fill in all the paperwork again! (this includes all the forms, notes from physio's, GP's and other documents) I phoned them up and explained I had done the main form electronically in the first place, Thus I didn't have to fill it in all again and as I had retained a copy of the GP's report I could also re-send this to them. This was a complete joke I could give them the main bits again but I couldn't go back and get all the other information as I didn't know where it had come from. Are they totally incompetent or what! And I never got any sort of apology!!!! They had lost everything and it was up to me to get it back!
Having re-sent what I could, they finally stated they think there was enough information to make a decision and I would be receiving a letter at the end of April (fingers - and everything else were well and truly crossed!)
The DWP finally made a decision and awarded me some allowances, this means the car changes have been paid for (and they have back dated them by nearly six months) - I may even get a new car :-). I have to be re-assessed in 18 months, but they got there in the end! I just hope others do not face the struggle I have had - but have a feeling they do at least in the UK!