Too many people are getting turned down for the disability living allowance benefit in Derry, a local welfare rights adviser has claimed.
Kathleen Bradley from Dove House says that local people are being denied DLA because they are not present when their GP fills out the factual report on them.
"I want to advise people to go and see their doctor when they make their claim," said Ms
Bradley. "Tell your G.P. you're aware of the factual report and let them how your condition is affecting your life."
Ms Bradley said that in some cases the doctor filling out the form may not be the person's regular G.P.
"Too many people are getting turned down for DLA," she said."Approximately 22% of people are registered disabled and around 12% of the population are on DLA, that means 10% of people aren't getting it."
She said was aware of one case where a man was denied DLA after a doctor declared he had no disability or mental health problems.
"This man was being prescribed diazepam," she claimed, "and continues to take them. Yet the doctor said he had no mental health problems.
"People need to talk to their doctors when they make their claim.People can ask for a copy of a form to be sent to them, but by that stage a decision will have already been made and it will be too late."
