I have been receiving IB since 1995 on mental health grounds and have had a 
few medicals on behalf of the DWP during that time (the last one indicating 
5 years before another assessment).  Talking to our local social service 
department they said I should qualify to claim at least the low level of DLA 
and came to fill in the forms.  I've now received a letter from DWP 
regarding my claim saying they have requested a report from my GP before 
making their decision.  Now the thing is I have dealt with my condition 
without the need to involve my GP so there will be very little in my medical 
history regarding mental health.  Will the lack of evidence from my GP 
result in an automatic refusal?  Will they take into account the medical 
reports from the previous DWP doctors I saw for my IB?

Redwood wrote:
> I have been receiving IB since 1995 on mental health grounds and have had a 
> few medicals on behalf of the DWP during that time (the last one indicating 
> 5 years before another assessment).  Talking to our local social service 
> department they said I should qualify to claim at least the low level of DLA 
> and came to fill in the forms.  I've now received a letter from DWP 
> regarding my claim saying they have requested a report from my GP before 
> making their decision.  Now the thing is I have dealt with my condition 
> without the need to involve my GP so there will be very little in my medical 
> history regarding mental health.  Will the lack of evidence from my GP 
> result in an automatic refusal?  Will they take into account the medical 
> reports from the previous DWP doctors I saw for my IB? 
> 
> 

It depends on the person making a decision on your claim but the weight 
of evidence your regular GP provides will normally override what you 
write on the form.

Not all GP's know the extent of a disability and perhaps it may be 
better to speak to your Doctor in advance of making a claim as he will 
most certainly not have an idea of how you cope from day to day.

My advice would be to make an appointment with your GP as quickly as 
possible  and advise him of how you are coping - he may not have 
returned the form as yet.

-- 
Robbie

"Robbie"  wrote in message
> It depends on the person making a decision on your claim but the weight of
> evidence your regular GP provides will normally override what you write on
> the form.
>
> Not all GP's know the extent of a disability and perhaps it may be better
> to speak to your Doctor in advance of making a claim as he will most
> certainly not have an idea of how you cope from day to day.
>
> My advice would be to make an appointment with your GP as quickly as
> possible  and advise him of how you are coping - he may not have returned
> the form as yet.

Thanks. Unfortunately the GP who knows me best (and the one I named on the
DLA forms) has moved to another practice and I've not seen any of the
others since.  I'll have to get in touch with the practice but it usually
takes over a week for non emergencies and longer if you want to see the GP
of your choice.  God this is stressful, it was bad enough just completing
the questions on the bloody forms!

Redwood wrote:
> "Robbie"  wrote in message
>> It depends on the person making a decision on your claim but the weight of
>> evidence your regular GP provides will normally override what you write on
>> the form.
>>
>> Not all GP's know the extent of a disability and perhaps it may be better
>> to speak to your Doctor in advance of making a claim as he will most
>> certainly not have an idea of how you cope from day to day.
>>
>> My advice would be to make an appointment with your GP as quickly as
>> possible  and advise him of how you are coping - he may not have returned
>> the form as yet.
> 
> Thanks. Unfortunately the GP who knows me best (and the one I named on the
> DLA forms) has moved to another practice and I've not seen any of the
> others since.  I'll have to get in touch with the practice but it usually
> takes over a week for non emergencies and longer if you want to see the GP
> of your choice.  God this is stressful, it was bad enough just completing
> the questions on the bloody forms! 
> 
> 

DLA forms are harder to complete than an A Level exam - and I help fill 
in at least 6 a week!

-- 
Robbie

"Redwood"  wrote in
news:5jac5mF3sfmqjU1@mid.individual.net: 

[snip]

> Now the thing is I
> have dealt with my condition without the need to involve my GP so
> there will be very little in my medical history regarding mental
> health.

Have you seen any medical professionals; have you been referred to 
secondary MH services?

I'd get your GP to write a letter saying that you're not under his/her care 
for MH stuff, and all enquiries should be directed to your care-
coordinator/key worker.

Then I'd get your care co-ordinator to write a letter supporting your 
claim, and get them to post it with your application.

> Will the lack of evidence from my GP result in an automatic
> refusal?  Will they take into account the medical reports from the
> previous DWP doctors I saw for my IB? 

I have no idea about DLA application, but for the other stuff it's better 
to go belt and braces at the beginning to avoid it having to go before a 
decision maker twice.

"Redwood"  wrote in
news:5jbl5jF3sp3koU1@mid.individual.net: 

> I'll have to get in touch with the practice but it
> usually takes over a week for non emergencies and longer if you want
> to see the GP of your choice.

That's not normal, nor acceptable.  They're losing money by making people 
wait that long.

> God this is stressful, it was bad
> enough just completing the questions on the bloody forms! 

Make sure you get support to complete the form.

There might be an impact on HB in a few rare circumstances.  Don't forget 
to declare it all there too.

Good Luck.