Care and support

How do I fill in the form?

There is now a single DLA claim form which asks questions about your mobility, care and supervision needs. The AA form is shorter because it only asks about your care and supervision needs.

It is important that you give as much information as possible on the form. Your claim is usually decided on this information and the decision is made by a person who hasn’t seen you.

Take plenty of time to fill in the form. If you suffer from pain or difficulty doing something that the form asks you about, such as getting dressed or having a bath, or someone has to remind or encourage you, say what these problems are in the spaces provided. It is important that you put down how often you need help with something and how long it takes you each time. If your condition varies, explain what happens on your worst days and how often and predictable the ‘bad days’ are. If there are some things that you can’t do at all by yourself, so you’ve stopped trying, say so on the form – remember, it’s the help you need that matters, not the help you get.

Be realistic when you describe how long it takes you to do things like getting dressed or getting out of bed. It may even be useful to keep a diary for a few days before you complete the form, to remind yourself of the difficulties you have. You could send a copy of it to the Disability and Carers Service (DCS) with your claim form. If you are claiming the mobility part of DLA, try to be accurate about how far you can walk outdoors before you start to feel pain or discomfort - don’t just guess that it is 50 metres!

If you have a carer, try going through the questions with them - they can add information on the form or in a separate letter. There is also a section on the form to be completed by someone who knows about your difficulties. This could be your carer, a relative, or a professional person such as a doctor, social worker, psychiatrist, teacher, CPN, etc.

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Adult Care Services team may be able to help you with the form, as can some voluntary organisations. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can give you some guidance on the sort of information that is required and talk you through completing the form over the phone if you are able to actually fill in the form yourself - call Freephone 0800 441144.

People who are unable to fill in the form themselves should contact The Benefit Enquiry Line, who will arrange for someone to ring the claimant and will complete the form for them and then post it to them for checking and signing. Contact them on Freephone 0800 882200

What happens next?

Decisions are mostly based on the information in the claim form. Sometimes the DCS may ask one of their doctors to visit you or they may write to your own doctor. They may also write or phone you for further information. Once a decision is made they will notify you in writing. Benefit can be awarded for a fixed period, a year for example, or for an indefinite period. First claims made in Hertfordshire are dealt with at:

Wembley Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Olympic House
Olympic Way
Wembley
Middlesex
HA9 ODL

Tel 020-8795 8400

The Wembley office keeps all Hertfordshire claims for the first 3 months after a decision is made. After 3 months, most claims are then dealt with at:

Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill
Blackpool
Lancs
FY5 3AW

Tel 0845 9000 121