Well I was waiting for it as my partner had his. My DLA556 form came this morning. I have scanned this in and added it to the documents available, just follow the "Useful Documents" link above.
I make this available for information purposes.
Not everyone will be asked to fill in a DLA556. You may get a decision upon assessment of your DBD551 & medical report. You may be asked by letter to provide a little more information. Before a decision is made. Everyone's situation is dealt with differently and is unique to the individual. If you receive a DLA556 you have 4 weeks to complete it. You can call the DWP to ask for more time.
If you get any correspondence from the Department for Work & Pensions. DO NOT IGNORE it. Doing so may affect your benefit.
PDF version
DLA REVIEW - SOME ADVICE PLEASE
A close friend has received his award. The mobility element has remained the highest and the care element has been reduced. My anecdotal evidence of a number of friends suggest this is what is happening to most people!
My friend works 2 days a week - and cannot work more - having had a lymph gland in the leg removed due to cancer. His leg swells after 2 days and he is in severe discomfort.
Because he works 2 days only - he receives Working Tax Credit - due to the Disablity Element.
As his DLA has altered - will he now qualify for the Disability Element of Working Tax Credit?
My view is that because he is now still going to receive the Highest Mobilty Element of DLA - and because this has not altered - and he is 'disadvantaged' from working longer than 2 days a week - his tax credit will remain the same - and there is no need to inform the Tax Credit people of any alteration - because the Mobility Element has remained the same.
ANY ADVICE PLEASE!
The knock-on effect of this review is worse than most people realise. Those who try to work could end up being disadvantaged not only in DLA, but also Working Tax Credit and Free NHS prescriptions. Now that HIV Clinics are trying to get most people to get a number of drugs from their GP - they could end up paying for medicines such as cholesterol tablets which are necessary because of some HIV drugs.
This government is truely going to put many people in poverty. It is either deliberate - or has not been thought through!
Some info.
The Inland revenue refer to the "Disadvantage test" & " Qualifying Benefits Test" which mentions the receipt of Disability Living Allowance as a criterion. Though it doesn't mention if this needs to be at a specific rate. Though another criterion is "a vehicle under the Invalid Vehicle Scheme". Whether this means Motability my searches have not clarified this. The directgov site on disabled also is useless here.
There is a test online that your friend can take. It's on the Inland Revenue website - click here.
Sorry I cannot be more clear. I would have thought that from your brief description your friend would have met criteria in both of the aforementioned tests.
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