Date:

Dr

Dear

Re: Date of Birth:

Address:

I am currently appealing to the Department for Work and Pensions for Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

The Benefit Department considers any difficulties a person has with their mobility and/or their ability to deal with their own personal care needs.

Could you please consider assisting me by providing me with a letter detailing your findings regarding my case and any treatment I have had or are to have?

It may help to understand what the Benefit Department consider.

There are two rates for the help someone may need with getting around outdoors.

The higher rate is given if you cannot walk at all or if you can walk but your ability to do so is severely restricted as a result of a physical disability. It is your ability to walk on a reasonably flat surface that is considered.

The lower rate is given if you cannot walk outdoors in unfamiliar places without guidance or supervision from another most of the time due to a mental-health problem or physical disability.

In determining whether the person is ‘virtually’ unable to walk the Benefits Department need to consider the distance, speed, length of time and manner in which the person walks without ‘severe discomfort’. Severe discomfort is not just pain it can include things like ‘breathlessness’. It will be something that makes the person want to stop and rest. Any walking done with ‘severe discomfort’ may be disregarded. As a general rule any walking beyond 50 metres is reducing the probability of a DLA award, although as stated speed and manner are also considered.

There are three rates for help with personal care.

The highest rate can be awarded if you:

  • need help with personal care or need someone to keep an eye on you to prevent danger to yourself or others, during the day and night.

The middle rate can be awarded if you: need help with personal care during the

  • day or if you need someone to keep an eye on you to prevent danger to yourself or others or

need help with personal care during the

  • night, or need someone to be awake to keep an eye on you to prevent danger to yourself or others.

The lowest rate can be awarded if you:

  • Would not be able to plan and prepare a freshly cooked main meal for yourself on a traditional cooker or
  • Have care needs for some time during the day.

It may help to understand some of the terminology used by DLA. Please see below:-

Help with personal care includes help with for example:- breathing, eating, sleeping, seeing, drinking, walking, sitting, dressing and undressing, getting in and out of the bath, washing, shaving, help with medication and using the toilet etc.

Thank you in advance for your time regarding this matter.

Yours sincerely