DLA template letter
[Name and address of recipient] [Date]
To whom it may concern, Re: [Name and address of who letter is regarding]
Intro: Why you are writing o E.g. I am writing on behalf of [name] regarding your recent decision to [downgrade/refuse] [his/her] Disability Living Allowance. I enclose consent to proceed on her behalf. Outline condition and its effects on the person concerned. o E.g. [Name] has [a form of muscular dystrophy] - a progressive and potentially life- limiting muscle-wasting condition, for which there is no cure. In order for [name] to live a full and independent life, [he/she] requires assistance. However, this assistance has financial implications. I feel that you have unreasonably [downgraded/refused] [name] mobility/care component and that you have failed to assess adequately [name’s] care/mobility needs which is having a severe impact on [name] quality of life. Example of deteriorating condition, specific symptoms, how these are progressing. Outline needs/difficulties in context of care/mobility and how this is placing financial burden on [name], o e.g. growing transport costs. Impacts lack of financial help is having, e.g. physical/mental health and wellbeing. If you have received a refusal letter from the DLA Unit, refer to the reasons they cited for denying access to DLA and outline reasons that you feel this is wrong e.g. in light of medical evidence. Urge the DLA Unit to re-consider their decision in light of the information provided. o E.g. Regarding the decision to refuse [name] application for DLA, I urge the Disability Living Allowance Unit to re-assess [his/her] needs in light of the progressive nature of [his/her] condition and with the medical evidence provided by [his/her] consultant. Conclude by asking for more information. o E.g. I would greatly appreciate if you would investigate why it is that [name] DLA mobility component has been [refuse/downgraded] and respond at your earliest convenience.
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from a consultant if possible.
1 Housing adaptation template letter
[Name and address of recipient] [Date]
Dear [name of recipient],
Re: [name and address of who the letter is regarding]
Intro: Why you are writing. E.g. I am writing on behalf of [name] regarding [his/her] request for adaptations to [his/her] home, to make it suitable for [his/her] condition. I enclose permission to proceed on [name] behalf. Outline specific issue [name] has had with accessing necessary adaptations and why they are necessary. E.g. [Name] has [Type of muscular dystrophy] – a progressive and potentially life-limiting muscle-wasting condition, for which there is no cure. The progressive nature of the condition is such that [name] muscles have become weak, making standing upright in the shower, for example, increasingly difficult. Explain the impact that not having necessary adaptations is having on [name] quality of life/health. E.g. Not having a suitable [bathroom/bedroom] means that [impacts e.g. movement is restricted/cannot get outside]. This is having a negative impact on health and wellbeing of [name] and [other family members]. Urge that council/local authority looks into these issues at their earliest convenience. Offer to provide any further information regarding [name] condition, if required. E.g. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.
Kind regards,
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from a consultant if possible.
2 Housing relocation template letter
[Name and address of recipient] [Date]
Dear [name of recipient],
Re: [name and address of who the letter is regarding]
Intro: Why you are writing. E.g. I am writing to you on behalf of [name], regarding the unsuitable housing provided for him/her by *** Council. I enclose written consent from [name] to proceed on his/her behalf.
Outline the person’s current housing situation and how it is unsuitable for their needs. E.g. [name] has [type of muscular dystrophy], a progressive, potentially life-limiting condition, for which there is no cure. The progressive nature of [his/her] condition has resulted in [name] being severely disabled and needing to use a wheelchair. Owing to [his/her] complex health needs, [name] requires support when accessing the bathroom and bedroom. [His/her] current property/the property that you have offered does not adequately meet the needs of an individual with a complex, severe and progressive disability. Consequently [name] quality of life has been severely impacted.
Outline the impact of inappropriate housing on [name] and any other family members’ health and wellbeing and any effect this may be having on people’s independence.
Outline the necessary housing requirements and reiterate that such requirements are necessary owing to [name] complex needs.
Conclude by providing your contact details. E.g. I would be grateful if you could look into this matter and respond at your earliest convenience. If you would like to discuss this, please feel free to get in touch.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards,
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from a consultant if possible.
3 Care package template letter
[Name and address of recipient] [date] Dear [name of recipient],
Re: [name and address of who the letter is regarding]
Intro: Why you are writing. E.g. I am writing on behalf of [name] regarding [location] County Council’s decision to downgrade significantly [name] care entitlement. This is potentially endangering [his/her] health, quality of life and independence. I enclose consent to proceed on [his/his] behalf. Outline condition and its effects on the person concerned. E.g. [name] has [type of muscular dystrophy] - a severe, progressive muscle- wasting condition, resulting in [name] being severely disabled. While there is no cure for this condition, specialist care and appropriate support can enable patients like [name] a high quality of life. Outline previous/existing care arrangement and planned changes.
Explain why [name] requires help, include details of tasks the person needs assistance with.
Next, describe the impact of not getting the required care, e.g. the effect on physical/emotional health and wellbeing, isolation, effect on the rest of the family.
Request that the County Council reconsider their decision in light of the information provided.
Finally, ask for more detail, or the justification behind the decision the Council has made. E.g. I would be grateful if you could investigate the reasons why [name] has been told his/her care entitlement will be downgraded despite his/her progressive needs. I would appreciate a response at your earliest convenience. Conclude by providing your contact details. E.g. If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to get in touch
Kind regards,
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from a consultant if possible
4 Care assessment request template letter
[Name and address of Director of Social Services at your local council]
[Date]
Dear [Director of Social Services]
Re: Social care assessment [Your name and address]
I am registered as disabled/have a serious neuromuscular condition [delete as appropriate]. My date of birth is …….
I would like to request an assessment of my needs for social care services, under Section 47 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 and Section 4 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986, to include services listed under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.
I need help in the following areas: [give details of any particular difficulties you have because of your neuromuscular condition, or additional disability or health problem].
Please arrange for a care manager to contact me to arrange an assessment visit within four weeks. [Give your phone number or state how you would like to be contacted.]
Yours faithfully
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from your consultant if possible
5 Formal complaint template letter
[name and address of recipient e.g. Director of social services]
[Date]
Dear [name of recipient e.g. Director of Adult Social Services],
Re: Formal complaint
Intro: Why you are writing. E.g.
I ask that you treat this letter as a formal complaint concerning the discharge by your authority of its functions in respect of [myself/name of person you care for]. I require the complaint to be investigated at the earliest opportunity.
Outline complaint as precisely as possible. E.g.
What is it that you are complaining about? Include as many details as you can, such as names of the key social workers who the complaints investigator will need to speak to. Include dates of relevant acts/omissions. If possible, also enclose copies of any relevant papers.
Explain what you would like to achieve by making this complaint. E.g.
Set out precisely what you want to be the result of your complaint: i.e. an apology, a change in service provision, an alteration to practice, compensation, etc.]
Conclude by offering to provide more information and give your contact details. E.g.
I understand that your Complaints Manager will wish to contact me in order to investigate this complaint. I suggest that this be done by [insert your number or email address]
Yours sincerely,
Notes: cc. Send copies to whoever you think necessary and put their names at the bottom of the letter below your signature. Send a copy to your local MP.
Include: permission form if you are writing on behalf of someone else and a supporting letter from your consultant if possible
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