News

Benefits and Work has obtained the six most recent copies of Decision Makers Exchange (DME) and made them available in the members'​ area.

DME is a monthly bulletin which tells DLA &​ AA decision makers what they'​ve been getting wrong lately and how to put it right.

Each month the ‘​Accuracy Support Team’​ lists the most common errors being made by DLA decision makers. Issues include:

Evidence would support that an award of higher rate care should have been made;​

Award should be for attention not supervision;​

Evidence would support that an award of lower rate mobility should have been made;​

Limited award made when the customer case management guidance supports an indefinite award;​

Incorrect date of claim, should be the date of first contact.

Failure to collect sufficient evidence is also highlighted, including:

walking ability and current level of care needs;​

frequency &​ cause of falls;​

date of onset of increased needs;​

if claimed needs are reasonably required;​

frequency and duration of night needs;​

resolution of conflicting medical evidence;​

whether award should be for attention or supervision;​

if correct to decrease on renewal when previous decision was made by appeals tribunal.

Many of the editions include a list of the issues which the DWP is keen to appeal to the upper tribunal if they can find a suitable case. It is interesting to note how many of these relate to the mobility component of DLA rather than the care component.

serious deterioration in health brought about by extensive walking has been accepted to award higher rate mobility component;​

lower rate mobility component is awarded for nothing more than reassurance and there is no mental disability that can be associated with fear and anxiety;​

incontinence, customer is anxious about getting to the toilet etc. and higher rate mobility component or lower rate mobility component has been awarded;​

customer awarded lower rate mobility because they cannot seek directions, but they should have alternative ways of finding their way around, such as using a map;​

customer awarded care or lower rate mobility but it appears there is nothing wrong with them;​

first tier tribunal accept earlier claim made but no record of receipt;​

the first tier tribunal has accepted that an electronic communication between departments, following the claimant notifying an office other than the one he is told he must notify about a change, is sufficient disclosure.

You can access the March to August 2011 editions by visiting the DLA section of the Members Only area and clicking on the Decision Makers Exchange link in the DWP resources section.