Skin Condition claim

Hi - wonder if anyone can offer any insight into my claim...

I am an adult and my medical condition is severe eczema. I wear cotton bandages over my
torso, both arms and both legs. The bandages I get on prescription from
my Dermatologist who I see twice monthly at the hospital as an outpatient.
I get someone to apply creams all over me and also help to put on the bandages as they
need to be cut to size first and then very delicately put on as they are tight
and restricting. Bandages are changed twice a day (20mins a time) and
once during the night. Other help with bathing, washing hair etc as well.
Also, I have inflamed skin on the soles of my feet which restrict walking and
makes walking painful.

My dermatologist filled in the medical form sent to her from DWP. In it she clearly
wrote washing, dressing, bathing needs & walking severely hindered.

Due to the above, I was also diagnosed with depression & anxiety. The anti-depressant
tablets actually gave me bad flare ups of my skin. My Health Psychologist advised to stop
any anti-depressant medication and also wrote a supporting letter to DWP saying under
normal circumstances I would be prescribed the meds but in this case the patient is
trying to control the condition with counselling sessions alone.

Both Care and Mobility were not awarded.

I've appealed the decision.

Any advice of what to do, what to say, what to write

genovese wrote:

Hi - wonder if anyone can offer any insight into my claim...

I am an adult and my medical condition is severe eczema. I wear cotton bandages over my
torso, both arms and both legs. The bandages I get on prescription from
my Dermatologist who I see twice monthly at the hospital as an outpatient.
I get someone to apply creams all over me and also help to put on the bandages as they
need to be cut to size first and then very delicately put on as they are tight
and restricting. Bandages are changed twice a day (20mins a time) and
once during the night. Other help with bathing, washing hair etc as well.
Also, I have inflamed skin on the soles of my feet which restrict walking and
makes walking painful.

My dermatologist filled in the medical form sent to her from DWP. In it she clearly
wrote washing, dressing, bathing needs & walking severely hindered.

Due to the above, I was also diagnosed with depression & anxiety. The anti-depressant
tablets actually gave me bad flare ups of my skin. My Health Psychologist advised to stop
any anti-depressant medication and also wrote a supporting letter to DWP saying under
normal circumstances I would be prescribed the meds but in this case the patient is
trying to control the condition with counselling sessions alone.

Both Care and Mobility were not awarded.

I've appealed the decision.

Any advice of what to do, what to say, what to write

Hi,

Although we cannot help with specific cases, there is a guide to appealing a DLA decision in the Members area here:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaappeals

Basically you have a month from the date of thedecision letter to submit the appeal form (GL24) which I take you have done so?.

When comleting he GL24, initially you can only put the briefiest of details as to why you disagree with the decision. You can then try to botain further evuidence such as reports from your GP/Consultant to send in.

In anycase, before the DWP send your paperwork to the tribunals service, your case will be reviewed by another decisionmaker to see if the original decision was correct in their view (not necessarily correct though).

You would be better asking for an oral appeal hearing as opposed to a 'on paper' appeal as the panel can ask you direct questions and it is essentially a re-run of your claim . Also obtaining face to face advice and help with the appeal from a welfare rights agency/CAB etc can be very beneficial, as they can go through your claim in depth.

Pete