DCS ADVISORY FORUM - 24/04/06

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DCS ADVISORY FORUM - 24/04/06

• SPECIAL RULES PRESENTATION

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Background

• DLAAB Report of a study of DLA and AA special
  rules commissioned by Maria Eagle.
• Recommendations included
• 1) Medical Services doctors need to access
  up-to-date information about medical conditions
  which give rise to special rules claims
• 2) All new special rules awards of DLA/AA
  should be for a fixed period of 3 years.

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Recommendation 1

• Medical Services doctors need to access
  up-to-date information about medical conditions
  which give rise to special rules claims.

Current position

• The DLAAB recommendation has been implemented
• Evidence based IT supported guidance for Medical
  Services doctors about the prognosis for special
  rules cases has now been developed and is
  available for use .
• Medical Services doctors are encouraged to
  contact the customers clinician/oncologist, in
  particular for complex or rare conditions.

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Recommendation 2

• Where benefit is claimed and awarded under the
  special rules provisions, the award should be
  for a fixed period of 3 years.

Current position

• The Minister for Disabled People has approved
  implementation of this recommendation
• There are no changes required to legislation
• Special rules claims will continue to be dealt
  with quickly and sensitively
• A renewal claim will be invited 6 months before
  the end of the award.

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Current position continued

• Implementation is planned to take effect from
  mid-July 2006.
• A fixed period of 3 years for the highest rate of
  the care component of DLA or AA will normally be
  appropriate
• A DLA mobility component award made at the same
  time as a special rules award should also
  normally be for the same fixed period of 3 years
  
• Awards for different fixed periods may sometimes
  be more appropriate because the award of both
  components must end at the same time, e.g. where
  a customer already has a fixed period award for
  the mobility component
• An indefinite DLA mobility component award
  already in place when a special rules 3 year
  fixed period award is made, should stand
• Claiming under special rules will be improved
  from July when evidence of "terminal illness"
  submitted by or on behalf of the customer will
  turn a normal claim into one made under the
  special rules.

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Customer experience issues

• From the next version of the DLA and AA claim
  forms, the special rules box will include a
  definition of what special rules means, i.e.
  The Special Rules are for people who have a
  progressive disease and are not reasonably
  expected to live for more than another 6 months
  
• The facility will continue for a claim to be made
  on the customers behalf by a third party
• Completion of the DS1500 report is not affected
• We will aim to notify decisions on DLA and AA
  special rules claims within the current
  timescales
• Customers can dispute decisions under the
  existing procedures.
• Lines to Take are being developed to help staff
  respond to enquiries by customers where the claim
  has been made on their behalf by a third party