DLA - consequences of applying?

The Compliance officer, the WHFRA medical examiner and the Job Centre Advisor all told me I should apply for DLA. I have filled out the forms - in great detail thanks to this site, but am worried now about the consequences. What actually happens when they receive your form? Secondly, do you have to attend medicals or do they just take your latest ATOS one as evidence. And thirdly, how much do they spy on you? My recent experiences (I should add I was completely exonerated of any fraud whatsoever, after a malicious person attempted to make trouble for me) have made me very nervous about the sneaks and snoopers out there! Any advice from anyone who has any experience of this?? Thanks, Happy Bank Hols weekend, Lainie x

I too was very cautious about applying for DLA. I was encouraged to do so by an OT and eventually I rattled off the form.After about 2 weeks I had a notification that they were contacting my GP and approx 2 weeks later I was notified that I had been awarded DLA LRM & LRC. I had not had an ATOS medical at the time and did not have to attend a medical re the DLA. I really don't think you have to worry. My understanding (courtesy of B&W) is that an application for DLA is separate from an application for IB/ESA and they have no bearing on each other. As far as I know I was not spyed upon although I must admit it didn't occur to me that this was a possibility.

Hi lainie,

If you've had a recent benefits medical it's quite likely that they will use this as evidence when considering your application. The vast majority of people do not get a medical for DLA - the group mmost likely to are those to whom higher rate mobility amy be awarded.

People don't get spied on because they put in a claim for DLA.

Good luck,

Steve

Steve - please do not rush to reply - enjoy the holiday. I would like to know if it works the other way around.i.e. is the info a claimant gives on applying for DLA used by ATOS as part of assessment for IB/ESA?

Thanks to you all for your kind replies. I feel that if as I suppose I am being spied on for ESA then I might just as well be spied on for DLA and hopefully get some more money. Thanks again! Posted today! Lainie x

This is an area that i am very interested in. I had to apply for esa last year i have severe crohn's and had also had an accident which resulted in me breaking my arm. I was asked to attend a medical for esa and was turned down. I decided to appeal after speaking to CAB and following a report from my GP DWP overturned the original decision and have now awarded me esa and believe it or not have been placed in the support group. I also get DLA MCC but my condition is much worse but it is up for review in July and i had to complete the short form although i did attatch additional information. To date i havnt heard anything but this only went in 2 weeks ago. I was just wondering if my recent award of esa would help with my application for DLA. I did actually say in the extra info that i have been awarded esa (support group) as of Jan 2010. I would be extremly grateful for any advice on this as i really dont know how much more stress i can go through with all of this.