DLA How to ask for adjustment

mel556

Hi, Can anyone help.
My 15 year old son is Autistic about 6 months ago they took his care allowance down to middle, but in the last few weeks I have hit probs with him, so much so he wanted to commit suicide and self harm, he is awaiting an appointment with a mental health doctor.
He has come out of school; can't cope with the pressure, So i am educating him at home, and just working parttime.
I cannot leave him alone at all and wondered how do i get DLA to consider putting back up to the higher rate.

Do I have to refill all that terrible form?
or is there an easier way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Trasthmatic

If your son has had a change of circunstances as you describe, you can request a supersession. This will mean filling in the DLA434 supersession form. Although you can just fill in section 1 and request an assessment from a health care professional its up to the decision maker and the on site medical advisors if they want to send one out.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello Mel556,

I think you need to get some good advice from an experienced organisation.
Try the CAB, Dial or Welfare Rights.

I would think firstly, you need to get supporting evidence of you son's mental health state.
You need to back up you claim, so there is not a link between the lowering of your award, and you new request, hence the medical information.

I think you will need to be asking for the DWP to Supersede their decision.
When you ask for a supersession, the whole award may be looked at, not just the care component.
Here is a link about the process.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/appeal/supersession.asp

I would also consider your decision to educate at home.
I went thru exactly the same with my son at 15, and even took the household knives with me in the car when I went out.
I went to connexions, and they arranged for my son to have a place on an E2E course, as at 15, they are not legally old enough to leave school.
It was the best decision I ever made for him, and it restored the confidence he had lost in the educational establishment of normal school. His school had to pay for the placement, and also his meals.

Good luck,

Munchie

madhouse

Hello, I have been home educating our autistic son, for the past 4 years and although it is not easy (what is!) it has been the best decision we have made with regards to his health. The pressure of school was the most enormous stress in his life. www.education-otherwise.org.uk is great for advice.

With regards to the DLA I think that the high rate is only paid if care is needed both day and night. You also need to be aware that awards can be reduced as well as raised.

allydowd

Bear in mind that anytime you ask for any adjustment you do risk losing the rate you have already if the next person assessing your claim is more stringent than the person who originally assessed your claim.