Do DWP hold copy of previous applications for DLA

This will be my third time re-applying, the last time being 3 years ago. My previous applications were filled up by a welfare rights officer from a city centre lawyers. I phoned them last week to make an appointment to see her only to be told she has left! I do not have a copy of past applications (I was not given copies) and strangely enough the lawyers say they do not have copies, and won't tell me where the Welfare Rights officer has moved to. She has filled in the forms for me, I have no idea what she wrote on them. Is it possible for me to obtain copies from DLA?

It will be unlikely that the DLA Unit will still retain your previous DLA claims, as documents are routinely destroyed in all but a few exceptional circumstances within a period of about 18 months.

You may wish to contact the DLA Unit helpline on 08457 123 456 for confirmation?

Crazydiamond wrote:

It will be unlikely that the DLA Unit will still retain your previous DLA claims, as documents are routinely destroyed in all but a few exceptional circumstances within a period of about 18 months.

You may wish to contact the DLA Unit helpline on 08457 123 456 for confirmation?

When I asked for a review after 15 years ish on the same just higher mobility, when I called to check they had my form and documents they said they had it, "an was waiting for my documents from storage"

originaldave wrote:

Crazydiamond wrote:

It will be unlikely that the DLA Unit will still retain your previous DLA claims, as documents are routinely destroyed in all but a few exceptional circumstances within a period of about 18 months.

You may wish to contact the DLA Unit helpline on 08457 123 456 for confirmation?

When I asked for a review after 15 years ish on the same just higher mobility, when I called to check they had my form and documents they said they had it, "an was waiting for my documents from storage"

Dave, similar thing with me, my solicitor requested my file from the DWP regarding litigation that I was pursueing.

I received complete files going back to 2000, which included my original EMP report for DLA in 2000.

I had lived in 4 different parts of the country as well.

So it is possible.

According to the DWP Benefits Document and Data Retention Guide (Benefits DDRG) paragraphs 1500 - 1583, whilst some documents are retained other documents are routinely destroyed after 14 months as defined HERE.

Assuming that the OP has not claimed DLA for the last 3 years, it is likely paragraph 1580 and 1581 may apply, and therefore in accordance with para 1581 the file may have been destroyed after 14 months. In these circumstances it will be necessary to confirm the status of the file with the DLA Unit, on the telephone number as detailed above.

If the OP is referring to a DLA renewal claim after having a fixed term award for 3 years, the claimant file in all probabilities will still be available?

Hi,, I always thought Solicitors/Law centres held case files for a 6 year period after settlement of case, They were then destroyed. Best Wishes