DLA (low care component) appeal

Hi,

I recently assisted a customer with a new claim for DLA (she did not renew in time).  She was previously awarded DLA low care and low mobility. The new award is low mobility and the low care component has been terminated.

The customer is aged 25 and a chronic alcoholic.  She also suffers from agoraphobia and depression.  She wishes to appeal on the grounds she is unable to cook a main meal for herself as she would be a danger to herself and others.  As her inability to cook a main meal is caused by her alcoholism I am unsure if she would qualify for the low care component.  She also lacks the motivation to cook or eat and this is also caused by alcoholism.

If anyone has any advice I would be most grateful.  I do not want to appeal unless I can be backed up under regs.

Many thanks

Allan

CSDLA/725/2004 concerns cooking test for someone with alcohol dependency and says that lack of motivation is relvant in assessing ability to cook so may be useful -

http://www.osscsc.gov.uk/aspx/view.aspx?id=1759

... and here’s a link to CDLA/2408/2002 -

http://www.osscsc.gov.uk/Aspx/view.aspx?id=1425

cheers ros