new dla award - questions

boltonangel

My son (7) has just been awarded middle rate dla care component.

He is and always has been a very difficult child who needs constant supervision, until recently I have been dealing with this and haven't involved anyone else because I didn't want him labelled as 'special needs'.

Unfortunately after a severe incident at school things were taken out of my hands and outside agencies have been involved meaning that DS gets 1-1 care in school. In hindsight I should have taken action earlier to make his life easier.


Anyway, I digress!

I applied for DLA after reading on here that he could be entitled and I honestly expected to be turned down but he's been awarded middle rate care component.

so, my question is will this affect the tax credits I receive and am I able to work and still receive dla for him?

also, someone said he could be entitled to a free tax disc for the family car. I know this happens if you're entitled to the mobility side but what about the care only side?

sunnyone

boltonangel wrote: »

My son (7) has just been awarded middle rate dla care component.

He is and always has been a very difficult child who needs constant supervision, until recently I have been dealing with this and haven't involved anyone else because I didn't want him labelled as 'special needs'.

Unfortunately after a severe incident at school things were taken out of my hands and outside agencies have been involved meaning that DS gets 1-1 care in school. In hindsight I should have taken action earlier to make his life easier.


Anyway, I digress!

I applied for DLA after reading on here that he could be entitled and I honestly expected to be turned down but he's been awarded middle rate care component.

so, my question is will this affect the tax credits I receive and am I able to work and still receive dla for him?

also, someone said he could be entitled to a free tax disc for the family car. I know this happens if you're entitled to the mobility side but what about the care only side?

Your tax credits will increase and of course you can work, no you arnt entitled to a "free" tax disc for your car because he dosnt recieve high rate mobility componant.

C.C.L.

You may also be able to get carers allowance for looking after him, currently £53-10 per week. You are not allowed to earn more than £95 per week though, if you claim carers allowance.

Robbie64

what date did you claim DLA? If the child disability element in tax credits is awarded (which it should be) and is backdated to the start of your DLA award (or 3 months ago, whichever is the shortest period) then you should be entitled to Cold Weather Payments, worth £25 a week, if the weather was cold enough in your postcode area during the recent cold spell.

these are paid by your jobcentreplus office and you'll probably need to contact them once all the paperwork is complete for DLA / Child Tax Credits.

If you wanted to, you can reduce the amount of hours you work and claim Carers Allowance. There is no limit on how many hours you work as long as you care for your son 35 hours a week. However there is an earnings ceiling of about £95 a week, above which you would not get Carers Allowance. At minimum wage rates that is 16 hours a week.

Indie_Kid

C.C.L. wrote: »

You may also be able to get carers allowance for looking after him, currently £53-10 per week. You are not allowed to earn more than £95 per week though, if you claim carers allowance.

This is after deductions such as NI and pensions.

what date did you claim DLA? If the child disability element in tax credits is awarded (which it should be) and is backdated to the start of your DLA award (or 3 months ago, whichever is the shortest period) then you should be entitled to Cold Weather Payments, worth £25 a week, if the weather was cold enough in your postcode area during the recent cold spell.

Only if the OP claims income support or income based JSA or ESA.

Robbie64

^^
Thanks sh1305. That's correct, there has to be a claim for IS or JSA(IB) or ESA(IB). I somehow forgot that important bit!

boltonangel

thanks everyone.

We don't get any other benefits other than tax credits so the cold weather payments wouldn't apply.

I will be earning over £95 a week also.

Is there anything else I should know?

SuziQ

With a DLA award you can also apply for a card that entitiles a carer to go the cinema free with him,and many days out/attractions will also allow him in free and or/the carer in free. There is also the Family fund if there is anything specific you need for him. My son was awarded his own computer and a trampoline from the family fund but awards can be for all sorts-holidays,driving lessons,washing machine,bedding-go onto the family fund website for details. Be warned it can take months to be assessed but it only requires you completing the form and sending a copy of the dla/tax credits letter etc. I applied in April and my son got his award late October.

kingfisherblue

Depending on your son's disability, you might be able to get him a free bus pass. I believe that some areas also give a free pass to carers if the disabled person is unable to travel without a companion.

If you are on a low income, you might be able to get help with transport costs when you have to attend hospital appointments, especially if they are out of your local area.

The best place that I have found to give this type of information is the Carer's Centre.

sunnyone

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Depending on your son's disability, you might be able to get him a free bus pass. I believe that some areas also give a free pass to carers if the disabled person is unable to travel without a companion.

If you are on a low income, you might be able to get help with transport costs when you have to attend hospital appointments, especially if they are out of your local area.

The best place that I have found to give this type of information is the Carer's Centre.

No the disabled person has a bus pass with C+ on it allowing a carer to travel with them but they are not nationwide and only accepted in the LA where thay were issued, maybe people miraculously recover when they cross a LA border and suddenly not need a carer:rotfl:

minimad1970

SuziQ,
How do you get this card, I've not heard of this before and my son has been receiving DLA for 9 years.
Thanks