About 20 years ago I smashed up my spine. In due course I was awarded Disability Living Allowance for life. A few years later I came under a new doctor at a different hospital. Surgery was offered and accepted and they were able to restore my mobility and take away the pain. I was even able to go back to work. I kept the DLA going for a few months until I was certain I was cured then wrote to the DWP to cancel the award. This was about 13 years ago and I have obviously received no payments since.
Last year when I became a pensioner we applied to the council for housing benefit and council tax benefit. When they worked out the figures they had allowed a disability premium. When I explained that I was not entitled to the premium I was told it was on "the system". They did however take it off my HB award. We rang the DWP who assured us they would take me off their "system". Today I received from the DWP an award notice for DLA! When I rang them this morning the advisor told me that because I had voluntarily surrendered the benefit I remain on the system as it is a life award, even though I don't receive any money. He answered no when I asked if I could have 13 years back pay in that case. He explained that if the DWP initiate the cancellation of the benefit through a medical assessment then I do come off the "system" (how I loathe that catch all expression, "the system"). I have asked for a medical reassessment to sort it out.
What a waste of time and money.
Last year when I became a pensioner we applied to the council for housing benefit and council tax benefit. When they worked out the figures they had allowed a disability premium. When I explained that I was not entitled to the premium I was told it was on "the system". They did however take it off my HB award. We rang the DWP who assured us they would take me off their "system". Today I received from the DWP an award notice for DLA! When I rang them this morning the advisor told me that because I had voluntarily surrendered the benefit I remain on the system as it is a life award, even though I don't receive any money. He answered no when I asked if I could have 13 years back pay in that case. He explained that if the DWP initiate the cancellation of the benefit through a medical assessment then I do come off the "system" (how I loathe that catch all expression, "the system"). I have asked for a medical reassessment to sort it out.
What a waste of time and money.
