Anyone else as grumpy as me about the new DLA claim form removing section 2 and just one big form as a result?

As far as I can tell the only change is the lack of the ability to NOT return section 2 and ask for an EMP (and that is, of course, what I was JUST about to do for the very first time!). And of course it completely knackers your lead time on returning the form.

Interestingly the 'statement from person who knows you best' is labelled as 'not compulsory', heavily implying that all of the other information IS compulsory. Section 2 was of course just additional information and Section 1 was the actual claim.

The loss of ability to extend the 6-week deadline through the device of returning only Section 1 (with Section 2 following on), will I suspect, cause a lot of problems for advice agencies in their appointment lead times. It was probably only ever a matter of time time before the DWP worked out that they could save themsleves a lot of hassle by combining the two sections. I suspect they undertook an awful lot of Section 2 chasing over the years!

Yes. Just used one for the first time this evening. Horrible.

I like the evening bit Sue, did you use it to start a warming fire when you got home from work?

I just got my first one (which I requested on 30.11.05) and which is the one I just want to do section 1 of and ask them to do an EMP and of course now can't.

I think they're going to get an old form whether they want one or not!

Unfortunately the stock of old forms will eventually run out.

See, I would be hopeless as a rebel. I threw all my old ones away as directed.

does anyone have a copy of the old style DLA forms saved as a pdf file, please could they email me a copy
thanks
Jim

I know this response is likely to be too late in the present case, but for future reference... despite the combination of sections 1 and 2 there should be no change to the fact that an EMP can be requested to obtain details of the effects of the disability, if so desired. Similarly, an application can still be made to the Secretary of State if there are genuine reasons for not being able to return the completed form within the claiming window.

Neither of these practices are specifically bound by the design of the claim form, in my understanding.