How To File An Appeal To The Disability Benefits Unit Blackpool
In the UK, if your claim for disability living allowance (DLA) or its increase is turned down even after review by a disability benefits centre (DBC), you can approach the Disability Benefits Unit Blackpool. It is an agency which deals with the subsequent processing of your appeal request made under form GL24. It also deals with the processing and distribution of disability benefit net grants through checks thirteen weeks after claims are filed at one of the 11 DBCs in the UK.
You have just four weeks to file an appeal on GL24 to the Disability Benefits Unit (DBU) based at Blackpool from the date of decision of the review of your claim by the concerned DBC. So, it is important that you do not delay in filing your appeal. However, you can obtain a two weeks extension in filing your appeal with the DBU by requesting that in advance. This provision is made in the law to enable you sufficient time to collect all the evidence together.
While filing your appeal you must request for your original claim application if you have not kept a copy of the same. You can also request for a copy of the Medical Services report applicable in your case and any other decision used by the DBC decision maker in denying your claim.
To support your appeal you need to gather all the medical records that you can obtain independently that will boost your case in front of the DBU. This includes evidence from your General Practitioner (GP), district nurse, voluntary or social worker, or hospital specialist. The nature of the evidence should be such as to throw light on your medical condition. Especially, the evidence must show the effect your medical condition has on your ability to perform everyday tasks without excessive pain or discomfort. It is entirely incumbent on you to take the lead and obtain this supporting medical evidence. You need to do this even though you may need to pay a reasonable fee to your GP to obtain the clinching evidence in your favor. You need to specifically note that you cannot depend on the Appeals Service or the UK Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) to obtain the evidence on your behalf. This is because of data protection rules. When you complete the appeal form GL24, you need to list all the reasons why you disagree with the decision of the DBC and attach copies (and not the originals) of the necessary documentary medical evidence. The DBU, Blackpool will check the medical evidence furnished by you properly and its decision will be entirely based on the medical evidence that you submit to it. Appealing on any other ground will be entirely fruitless. It is important for you to send the completed appeal on GL24 with all attachments by Post only after getting the entire package photographed. Although sending through Registered Post to the Disability Benefits Unit Blackpool is another option, it is not acceptable to DWP as proof of delivery.
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