Daughters recent diagnosis

shopaholic2

Hi, I am looking for some advice for my daughter, not too sure if all my questions will be answered here but worth a go!!
She is 12, and has just been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, (part of the inflammetry bowel disease family, along with Chrohns).
I have been advised to apply for dla for her, as we have to help her a lot, encourage her to take tablets, get out of bed,get dressed, go out, go to school etc. She suffers with alot of pain, and i have to take her to school (when she goes) and pick her up.

Apart from dla, do you know if there is any other help available for her/us? I have a huge gas bill to find a way of paying due to having to heat the house more to keep her warm.
I have joined NACC, but they dont seem to have chat forums, and i am desperatly seeking help and advice.
I am still devastated by the diagnosis, and the effects this will have on her life, as she is already missing out on so much.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated
thanks x

mightymole

i would look into carers allowance

when you apply for dla (looks like it will help) always put the worst days ont the forms

also speak with either diabilties advicer at job centre or the citizens advice

katiemae0205

first off i am real sorry for such a young girl to have this i hope she finds some peace as i suffer with chrons aswell not nice as for more help yes it would be the carers allowance hun my partner claims it for me apart from that try looking on this web site http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

good luck and god bless

[Deleted User]

Carers allowance is only avaliable if the person cared for gets the middle rate care component of DLA,as well as CAB welfare rights maybe able to advise.
When applying for DLA it is not a good idea to suggest that everyday is on a par with the worst day,just provide the information asked for as honestly as possible,but beware that its human nature to be positive,which in itself can give a false impression of the real needs.

tenacioust123

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter diagnosis, I wish you and her all the best.

Please do not fill in the DLA forms as her worst day, just answer the questions honestly. If she has good and bad days do state that and how often. It is a common mistake that people make, if the DLA think you are exagerating an illness you may get nothing.

daska

tenacioust123 wrote: »

If she has good and bad days do state that and how often. It is a common mistake that people make, if the DLA think you are exagerating an illness you may get nothing.

Advice from Benefits and Work is to avoid the term 'good' day/s. Use 'better' instead. Would thoroughly recommend paying the membership for B&W, they have very good, clear advice about what to include when filling in the forms.

tenacioust123

I agree daska, I have a membership too, well worth the money.

lolababy

Hi yes go for dla. Regarding your gas bill some gas companys offer disabled customers special rates. Its worth asking your supplier . British gas have a fund that can help pay off your gas bill and help with other things such as a new washing machine.
Another avanue to explore is the family fund. Phone number 0845 130 4542. They offer grants for holidays, equipment,houshold goods, play things, They also have other help on offer.

PolishBigSpender

woodbine wrote: »

When applying for DLA it is not a good idea to suggest that everyday is on a par with the worst day,just provide the information asked for as honestly as possible,but beware that its human nature to be positive,which in itself can give a false impression of the real needs.

It's almost certainly a bad idea to simply include the 'worst days' - if a doctor happens to arrange an appointment and feels that the symptoms have been exaggerated, then you could find yourself on the end of a negative report.

Oldernotwiser

Surely DLA is awarded to pay for the extra expenses of having a disability, such as needing more heating?

sleepymy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely DLA is awarded to pay for the extra expenses of having a disability, such as needing more heating?

I've never seen any government guidelines to state what DLA should be used for, only application criteria.