How to Write a Successful DLA Appeal Letter

Sadly, many vulnerable disabled people in the UK who apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have their applications declined and are denied the benefits they need to cope.

After personally experiencing this with my child and writing a successful DLA appeal letter, it occurred to me that sharing my experience and explaining how I did it, might help others to overcome their application difficulties.

This article explains how to write a successful DLA appeal letter and what information you will need in order to win your DLA appeal.

Things You'll Need

• Documentary evidence of your condition and the effect it has on your life.
• The ability to write a detailed, concise and well written DLA appeal letter.
• Paper
• Pen
• Envelope
• Postage Stamps

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit paid to people with disabilities. People who are entitled to DLA are among the most vulnerable members of society. Unfortunately, far too many applications for DLA are denied and it is necessary to write a DLA appeal letter.

  DLA has two components. A care component for personal care and a mobility component for help getting around. You may be entitled to one or both of these components and depending on the level of your disability, you will get one of 3 (care) rates or 2 (mobility) rates.

  DLA is awarded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and decisions are made based on the criteria in the 'Decision Makers Guide' (DMG). The first step you need to take in order to write a successful DLA Appeal Letter is to obtain a copy of or gain access to the DMG.

• 2

  The DMG is a list of criteria that applicants for DLA must meet. If you do not meet the criteria in the DMG, your claim will be denied and a DLA appeal letter will be necessary.

  Research the elements of the DMG that apply to you and write down the criteria that the DMG says you must meet. This is the basis of your DLA appeal letter because it is proving that you meet the criteria that will overturn the decision to deny your claim.

• 3

  Depending on what your disabilities are, you will need documentary evidence to support your case. Your DLA appeal letter will not only need to detail how you meet the criteria, you will also have to PROVE it with medical or other documentary evidence.

  If you do not have medical reports or doctors reports to support your case, you will need to obtain some. One way to do this is to request an assessment from your local social services department, another is to ask for a copy of your medical records from any medical professional who is treating you.

• 4

  In the case of a DLA appeal letter on behalf of a child, particularly children with Austism spectrum disorders, obtain copies of the reports from educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, etc. Enclose all these reports with your DLA appeal letter and indicate in the letter which DMG criteria each report supports.

• 5

  When writing your DLA appeal letter, stick to the facts and make your point quickly and concisely. Any complaints or personal anguish about your denial are needless and will do nothing for your DLA appeal.

  You should set out clearly what the criteria is, why you meet the criteria and what evidence you have enclosed to support this. An example is as follows:

  DMG Criteria Number 12345 states that... and I believe I meet this criteria because.... This is evidenced in the enclosed report from .....

  Keeping your DLA appeal letter to the point will demonstrate to the DWP decision maker that you have done your homework, you meet the criteria and that you can prove it.