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DCS ADVISORY FORUM - 24/04/06. SPECIAL RULES PRESENTATION. Background. DLAAB Report of a study of DLA and AA “special rules” commissioned by Maria Eagle. Recommendations included:
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DCS ADVISORY FORUM - 24/04/06 SPECIAL RULES PRESENTATION
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.
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 customer’s clinician/oncologist, in particular for complex or rare conditions.
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.
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”.
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 customer’s 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