Free prescriptions

A question about : Free prescriptions

Hi

I've just been awarded DLA and possibly Income Support and Incapacity Benefit in the near future. Can people with DLA get free prescriptions like Income Support or is IS the only one to have this?

I'm not happy with the DLA award as I don't have the mobility help but I strongly believe I should have got it! What numbers can I call to ask for an explantion for the decision so I can look at it?

Thanks

Kev

Best answers:

• Hi
  If your decision was within the last month, you can still appeal. You need to contact your Welfare Benefits Dept within your local council and ask them to assist you. They can help you with everything assosciated with your appeal and represent you in court. Or team of WBO's have an average of 77% success rate at tribunals, so if you think your award is unfair, you should at least ask to have it looked at again.
  I believe the CAB are able to help with these things also, but either way you need to act asap, as you only have one month to appeal.
  hth
• Download a copy of the Benefitsandwork guide to DLA appeals.
  and
  Download the BenefitsandWork guide to getting help with your benefits in case the CAB aren't able to provide representation at the appeal.
• Update:
  I requested an explanation about the decision and it says that the Decision-Maker decided that I can walk a reasonable distance before I experience discomfort/breathlessness because of my asthma.
  I didn't put my asthma on the claim pack but my doctor has it on her report. Also I actually put on the claim form that I need a person with me in places I don't know well!
  I'm happy with the rest of the doctor's report so how hard is it to overturn part of a report?
  I'm thinking of appealing so who are the best people to go to? CAB?
  Kev
• Hi Kev,
  Yes, see if CAB can help you, if they can't or you choose to look elsewhere, have a look at Ted's link in one of the above posts to other help you can get.
  You have a month in which to appeal so I would contact them as soon as possible (especially with xmas in the middle). They will need your info as soon as possible in order to build up the strongest possible case.
• Thanks Ted for that info!
  I was surprised that the asthma was mentioned but I did have the worst attack in 10 years in 2002 but it didn't affect my walking. I hoped I would get the mobility part of DLA for my rare language disorder as when I get tense I can hardly speak so if I get into difficulties I may not be able to speak!
  I also have trouble understanding what people say so I if I do need some help I might not understand it! I won't go into the disorder as it is complicated and expressing myself is part of the disorder.
  I can't do any walking outside yet as I have a pilonidal sinus wound in my lower back and walking will disturb it. I've had this since Nov 2003 as you know from other threads.
  Thanks again for the info about the possiblity of the appeal backfiring!
  Kev
• Is there any other way to contact the DLA benefits office by phone as I have spent all day getting engaged tones?
  If I get through today I'm going to ask about other ways of contacting them!
  Kev
• The only benefit that gets free prescriptions is IS.
  There are however other ways to get free prescriptions like being a Daibetic on drug treetment or needing someone to go to the chemist for you.