Turned down for DLA or AA? Or think you're not getting enough?
This guide is for anyone who thinks the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have made the wrong decision about their claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA), and wants it to be looked at again (or is thinking about it).
This guide will be particularly helpful for you if you don't have an adviser, or if you have an adviser but they cannot come to the hearing with you.
Download this guide as an easy-to-print leaflet - 
Turned Down For DLA or AA? Think you are not getting enough? (643 KB)
It will take you step-by-step through the whole process. We will show you how to minimise the stress it might cause you, and how to maximise your chances of getting a good result.
This guide looks long, but don't be put off - you will only need to read a few sections at each stage.
There are also some sections you can listen to - and we've made a sound file to give you some extra help on the day of the tribunal - see Top tips for the appeal hearing sound file.
Can you spare a few minutes?
We would be grateful if you could tell us what you think about this guide by completeing our survey. This will help us to improve our guides to make sure they are as helpful as possible.
Mary Webber - Advicenow
December 2010
We are grateful to Coutts for making the updating of this guide possible.
Comments
Getting my DLA in the first place wasn't as bad as it is for an awful lot of people since I am lucky enough to be a terminal cancer victim and the various cancer support charities are well set up making help with beurocracy relatively easy to find. However this change to PIP is filling me with dread as I've already had to absorbe housing benefit cuts and am now at a point where even the smallest further cut I can see me ending my days homeless, just the constantly rising prices of food, fuel etc are highly likely to see me ending up homeless anyway
Elizabeth Brookes, Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
My daughter-in-law was recently turned down for DLA Mobility Allowance for my grandson who is blind. They do have blue badges. She has been told if he is entitled to the allowance it won't be until he is 5 and then it will be for the lower rate.
Do you know whether this information is correct. My grandon is 3 years old, I don't think they relaise the difficulties my daughter-in-law encounters when she is out and about with her child. She has had to give her job up to look after her child so there is only one wage coming into their house. I think the decision is cruel, not only is my grandson blind, and all the complications that are associated with the dissability but there are struggling financially. The Mobility allowance would help them enormously to get out and about. I hope you can please anwer my query.
Jean Hall, Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
I would like to say thankyou to the creators and contributors to this site, the advice offered helped me so much with my tribunal and I found the advice to be both accurate and helpful.
James Brown, Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
The advice guide on DLA appeals is excellent. I am a Welfare Rights Adviser for the National Autistic Society and often refer cutomers to it as it is the clearest guide to the appeal and tribunal procedure I can find on the net.
Jonathan Dibb, Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
Had to reapply 3 times as situation changed before award was given. All benefit claims were being blocked by local council as they are taking me to court for their overpayment mistakes. Despite my evidence to prove that I had advised them of changes in my circs regularly. Health affected by stress so much that I am unemployed and now need homecare daily. Use a wheelchair for mobility. Ruined my life at 52. Wish I had known of this site 18mths ago.
Tuesday 15 Feb 2011
I was turned down for DLA and am going to appeal. I HAVE PUT THE SITE ON MY FAVOURITES LIST
Thursday 17 Feb 2011
My daughter who has Downs syndrome was turned down for DLA. I have used your guide to find out if I should appeal (I appreciated your very frank advice). I've now used your guide to ask for an appeal. It was really helpful and I don't know what i would have done if i hadn't found it.
Friday 18 Feb 2011
i have been turned down for dla. I'm going to appeal but i dont have much faith in the system.
carol toyer, Monday 28 Feb 2011
i have been turned down for dla but have asked for them to look at my case again i have a 6 year old boy with severe adhd and going out can be quite a strain as you can imagine my other children suffer also as people don't understand and can be really cruel at times
lesley , Wednesday 9 Mar 2011
Very good
William Garland, Tuesday 29 Mar 2011
The DLA has turned my husband down three times, they loose his papers, then they find the papers. When will the DLA ever figure out where they are going wrong?
tony baker, Wednesday 18 May 2011
Hi. The d.l.a. dropped my rate of care down to low from high.Now my 11 year old son cooks for me, cleans, sorts my meds, and gets up in the night to change wet bedclothes as i now cant afford to get the help. A year ago i took him to live with me so he wouldnt go into care cause of abuse with his mom and now they do this and i wonder if he is better off in care. He shouldnt have to do what he does to help me. My solicitor says I can take the person who made the descision on my case to court for making my son loose his human rights and making a child labour. Are we back in the 50's? They are cruel!
chris morris, Wednesday 18 May 2011
I'm 20 I had been receiving Dla since I was 15, when it came to renew for the 3rd time I got knocked back when my condition has got worse. I have ADHD and I'm on the strongest dose. My dad has to come to my house every day and force me to take my medication and make sure I eat something. He then makes regular trips out threw the day because I still get angry and it don't help when you have a neighbour who plays loud music all day. He has to be here to make sure I don't lose my temper. I have appealed but I'm still waiting for a decision if they can over turn it. I really don't want to go through an appeal.
Natalie Mcneil, Wednesday 18 May 2011
agree
Marcin W, Wednesday 18 May 2011