My good news just got even better!

Hello everyone,

You may recall I won my DLA appeal in November. Due to my severe ME/CFS I was awarded HRM and LRC for 2 years.

Or so I thought..

The DWP were mostly efficient - my tribunal was on the 17th of November, I got a form a week later to fill in (RE: hospital stays, being out of the country etc) which I sent back and was then paid over £3000 in backdated money on Tuesday 7th December into my bank account.

During all of this though I had no award notice sent to me, just a letter to say when and how much money they would be paying me.
I rang them up and asked for an award notice to be sent to me as I claim other benefits and wanted to make sure I was giving them the right information to update them of my current situation.

Imagine my shock, and pure delight to see that the DWP have decided to award my HRM and LRC indefinitely!!! No mention of the 13/01/2012 date the that is on my tribunal papers, just 'an indefinite period'

Sassy wrote:

Hello everyone,

You may recall I won my DLA appeal in November. Due to my severe ME/CFS I was awarded HRM and LRC for 2 years.

Or so I thought..

The DWP were mostly efficient - my tribunal was on the 17th of November, I got a form a week later to fill in (RE: hospital stays, being out of the country etc) which I sent back and was then paid over £3000 in backdated money on Tuesday 7th December into my bank account.

During all of this though I had no award notice sent to me, just a letter to say when and how much money they would be paying me.
I rang them up and asked for an award notice to be sent to me as I claim other benefits and wanted to make sure I was giving them the right information to update them of my current situation.

Imagine my shock, and pure delight to see that the DWP have decided to award my HRM and LRC indefinitely!!! No mention of the 13/01/2012 date the that is on my tribunal papers, just 'an indefinite period'

Hi,

Congratulations.

If you are of working age though the cynic in me thinks due to the reassessment of DLA claimants and PIP etc starting in 2013/2014 it means in effect it is only a small 'reprieve' from reassessment. However that is for the future.

Enjoy the moment and look forward to spending the back pay!.

Pete

I thought the same, Pete.

I know deep down indefinite isn't *really* indefinite and I read the B&W newsletter on PIP so am preparing for 2013, but as almost half of my award was swallowed by the appeal delay it was still in the back of my mind I'd only have a few months before doing it all again and even though I won, still couldn't fully relax. I'm hoping now, as you say I have a longer reprieve and can finally relax a bit more!

Fantastic news Sassy, hope you have a happy and relaxed Christmas!

Best wishes,
Rachel

Sassy - that is brilliant news - so pleased for you.
From one ME/CFS sufferer to another - a very Happy Christmas.
maggie

Sassy wrote:

Hello everyone,

You may recall I won my DLA appeal in November. Due to my severe ME/CFS I was awarded HRM and LRC for 2 years.

Or so I thought..

The DWP were mostly efficient - my tribunal was on the 17th of November, I got a form a week later to fill in (RE: hospital stays, being out of the country etc) which I sent back and was then paid over £3000 in backdated money on Tuesday 7th December into my bank account.

During all of this though I had no award notice sent to me, just a letter to say when and how much money they would be paying me.
I rang them up and asked for an award notice to be sent to me as I claim other benefits and wanted to make sure I was giving them the right information to update them of my current situation.

Imagine my shock, and pure delight to see that the DWP have decided to award my HRM and LRC indefinitely!!! No mention of the 13/01/2012 date the that is on my tribunal papers, just 'an indefinite period'

I don't wish to be a killjoy and put a dampener on your tribunal success, but it is most unusual for the DWP to go against an appeal tribunal award, including the length of the award.

There is always a chance that the DWP have incorrectly produced the award notice, and have omitted the date of the closed period award. Unfortunately, it has been known to happen. It is a difficult situation to decide whether to contact the DLA Unit to confirm the duration of the award, or merely accept what the award notice says and see what happens prior to the 13 January 2012 review date? In the latter situation, if there is in fact a closed period award, you will receive a DLA renewal claim to complete.

As I have intimated, it is entirely up to you how you wish to approach this matter, but whatever you decide enjoy the present and your recent tribunal success.