DLA for child asthmatic

yummy-mummy-amy

hi,

i have had it suggested to me by the asthma nurse at docs to try and get DLA for my 3yr old who is asthmatic.

he is on blue inhalers during the day, grey steroid inhalers morning and night and steroid tablets b4 he goes to bed. most of the time these do control it but he has been nebulised by the hospital and ambulance 6 times in 4months. he cant run around much at playgroup as he then gets very out of breath to the extent that he cant breath in enough to take an inhaler (even through the spacer.)

does anyone have any expierence of claiming DLA for children with asthma? and any help/advice in the way of going about things?

thanks.

amy

SuziQ

DLA is awarded on the extra care needed for that child compared to another child of the same age without that condition-not on the diagnosis alone. You have to be able to demonstrate a substantially higher rate of care,which is sometimes difficult with children who are so time consuming anyway! Also,he wouldn't be eligible for the mobility part under the age of 5.
I haven't applied for DLA in your circumstances but succesfully applied for DLA for my son for a different reason. I found it invaluable to go to a support group (eg Asthma UK)for my child's condition,as they had produced an excellent guide on how to fill out the (very complicated and long winded) forms. In the meantime either download the forms today or request by phone,as any award is backdated to the date you are sent the forms-which have to be returned within 6 weeks.It does help to get advice to complete the forms-eg a benefits rights advisor,or your Health Visitor may have a lot of experience of completing the forms (I used to be a HV and filled them out occasionally.)The asthma nurse would be able to fill out the part of 'someone who knows the child' for you to verify your claim,you will need to give your GP/Specialist details (Let them know you are applying in case they are contacted) and it helps if you have any relevent reports (less than 6 months old.)

lulublue2009

I have a child of age 3 and half well 4 in January and has asthma and just been turned down by DLA. She is on blue pumps brown pumps and tablet of a night. She has over 10 stays in hospital and although she is too big/old for a buggy walks nows and i have to top frequently on the way tonursery giving the blue pump. She needs more attention at night when she coughs but there are kids far worswe out there.

Firefly

It would be essential to keep a diary of the care your child receives over a period of about a month. Write down everything, and I mean everything. With timings too. So every time you attend your son at night then log it; during the day log every medication, inhaler and how long it takes.

When I submitted my sons DLA claim I put forward 32 pages of supplementary information, including diaries! That's on top of the extensive form. Don't be put off if you get a negative response first time, you can appeal or go straight to tribunal.

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/special/children.asp

You'll get a wealth of information on the site linked above but be very careful to read the criteria. Don't use emotive language and keep it factual, i.e. we know you love your son and worry about him but they don't want to know that. They need to know how much attention and how frequently.

If you need any help just pm me.

Good luck!

I'm sure the asthma nurse will support your claim and it's a brilliant idea to go to Asthma UK for help and advice.