DLA for my child

andybeeruk

Hi guys was wondering if you could offer any help, my son has serious issues with learning needs, attends a special support unit, as he is deemed not able to attend main stream schooling. He is escorted to school, and returned by escort, has not been diagnosed as autistic or related types. But financially/emotionally/physically its a strain, toileting, feeding, dressing, 24 hours supervised, cant trust him alone for 2 minutes, or the damage that follows. Someone said I could claim DLA without a statement of needs, looked at the form, and I may need CAB to help fill it in, in your experience is it worth claiming. At the moment I am on IB, and spend my days doing what I can to look after my wee devil, he can be on some days, others a lil angel.

many thanks if you can help

LittleTinker

andybeeruk wrote: »

Hi guys was wondering if you could offer any help, my son has serious issues with learning needs, attends a special support unit, as he is deemed not able to attend main stream schooling. He is escorted to school, and returned by escort, has not been diagnosed as autistic or related types. But financially/emotionally/physically its a strain, toileting, feeding, dressing, 24 hours supervised, cant trust him alone for 2 minutes, or the damage that follows. Someone said I could claim DLA without a statement of needs, looked at the form, and I may need CAB to help fill it in, in your experience is it worth claiming. At the moment I am on IB, and spend my days doing what I can to look after my wee devil, he can be on some days, others a lil angel.

many thanks if you can help

Yes it is worth you claiming, of course! It will help you out with much needed funds.

As for filling out the forms....well....there are, I am sure, far more 'qualified' people than me who can help with that one

andybeeruk

thanks for your quick reply, will be making an appointment asap, get help with these forms. many many thanks, will keep you posted, as i guess its nots going to be very straight forward or easy.

again many thanks

LittleTinker

andybeeruk wrote: »

thanks for your quick reply, will be making an appointment asap, get help with these forms. many many thanks, will keep you posted, as i guess its nots going to be very straight forward or easy.

again many thanks

You will probably be refused on some grounds or other however, the general concensus seems to be to appeal. I seem to remember someone saying that a very large percentage of appeals are granted......and then backdated too!

Trasthmatic

If you can get the SENCO or head teacher at the school to fill in the "Someone who knows you"page of the claim pack. If they can detail the support your son needs during school hours this will really help the DM and possibly speed up your claim.

System

good luck with your application i managed to get DLA for my epileptic DD a few months ago it is not as scary as it seems .

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello Andybeeruk,

It is definitely worth putting in a claim for DLA.
The thing to remember, it's not about a diagnosis, but the care that a person needs due to their condition.
In the case of a child, it's over and above what you would give to a child of the same age without the disability.

Have a look at the Benefits now website, it will give you an idea of the terms used, how it relates to children

Here's the link to the children's page
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/special/children.asp

If you feel that you would like help with the forms, I would recommend the following.
Dial is a disability organisation, often staffed by disabled people, who can offer advice, and help with the filling out of forms.
You can find your local branch from their website
http://www.dialuk.info

There is also Welfare Rights, which are normally part of your county council, and there is also the CAB.

All these will be able to help.
The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the Decision Maker, to decide your case.
Get letters from the GP, School and any other any specialists your child may see.

If you scroll down this message board..currently on Page 10, there is a 'locked' message from Thanatos, a DLA Decision Maker. ALthough he can no longer post on their or answer questions, it is worth reading his advice.

Good Luck

Munchie

[Deleted User]

3 things
1)you dont need a diagnosis,just the care and/or mobility needs
2)you need to prove for children that they need more help than a child of the same age
3)get help from cab or welfare rights to complete the forms,and also if possible get written supporting evidence from school,gp,and if appropiate consultant
good luck

Helen819

my son recieves DLA,and we currently are waiting for diagnosis.
so as op say,you dont need a diagnosis to get it.


as Trasthmatic says though,if you can get the SENCo at school to fill out the form as well,this does save a lot of time,as the DLA dept will not have to apply to them ,they will have it to hand.

Lentilsforteaagain

I found the DLA people quite approachable and helpful. Others are right too, the diagnosis (or lack of ) is in some ways quite unimportant because it's the level of care or lack of mobility (or the level of supervision required) that they look at. When you fill out the forms, two points to remember - they look at the difference in the level of care/supervision that your child needs compared with an unaffected child of the same age, also it's worth photocopying your forms before you send them off so you can refer back to them in an appeal or renewal.

Hope that helps

lukiesgirl

I have an autistic son with physical and toileting needs. Like yours he is 24/7. I found it difficult filling in the form so I keot a diary of his needs for a week. I dare say my form turned into a bit of an essay but I included everything I had to do do for my son both day and night. If you child is under 16 ( I think) he does not need the statement from someone who knows him but you can give the name of his SENCO or Paediatrician. I was awarded higher rate care and mobility. If you get DLA for him you are then entitled to apply for carers allowance and you get a higher rate of Child Tax Credit too. I found out these things because my son's Paediatrician forced me to apply and gave me all the relevant info. Having said all this please be prepared - you will cry when you fill your form in and cry when you get the benefit! Having your lovely child classed as Disabled is traumatic and every Mum I have spoken to at our support group has said the same. GOOD LUCK