From the Forum section for DLA that has been stopped - click here.

"Thank you for your  advice and support regarding the recent problems I have had with the DWP, I had a meeting yesterday with the hiv social worker and a worker from welfare rights to discuss my appeal, the welfare rights worker suggested that it could be at least September before an appeal date.  Today I received another letter from DWP stating ; You made an appeal against the decision about DLA issued to you on 06/05/08 . We have looked again at the facts and evidence we used to make our decision. As a result we have changed the decision. You are now entitled to Disability Living Allowance, higher rate for help with getting around and higher rate for help with personal care.

I do not know how long the award is for, that is not mentioned in this letter I will let you know when I am informed. I am so relieved  at receiving the letter as it  saves me from attending an appeal, and worrying about how I am going to manage financially ,  but what a complete farce , I do not understand what happens there at DWP, I have been through six months of worry and stress for nothing. I am amazed at how little the national and local hiv organisations have helped to keep us the hiv community informed and lobby on our behalf , as I stated in my post I do not see myself as a victim and do not want organisations to treat me as such, but this is the biggest thing to affect us living with hiv and aids since the early 90,s and what are all the workers who being paid inflated salaries doing on our behalf? Shame on THT and others for not giving us a bigger voice,  I contacted their helpline first and they were less than useless. I think your site is a great central point for us the hiv community to raise the profile of those living with hiv and aids and the problems we continually face, if there is any way I can help down here in Swansea , I will. I have passed the site address to those I am in contact with locally. I have attached a letter that was given to me by the benefits advisor to give to my consultant , this was completed by him and then forwarded to DWP, I do not know, but perhaps that letter was the reason they changed the decision. If it can be of any use to anyone else please post it on the forum.

Thank you again for the hard work you have put in to the site and I hope it will be as helpful to others as it was for me."