children, ADHD and DLA..do you receive it & what do you use it for?

karmacookie

Just a quick rant

I've already been out for some shopping today. We had over 2l of milk so decided to leave that until tomorrow as there is a farmfoods near where I work and they have a great offer on milk.

Well, it's gone :eek:

So I need to go out again today, more petrol and milk is more expensive locally!

Didn't even notice it disappearing! It's all these little things that quickly mount up!

lolly1981

i called the DLA number they are sending me a application form now....i was still in 2 minds about claiming but i feel it is probably in the best interest of the family if i at least try...as someone said if he's entitled to it then why not.

as he hasnt got his official diagnosis yet i am hoping that teh letters i do have will be enough...school will probably help too.
i'm just worried that i wont put the right thing as i know that it needs to be worded in a way that isnt just rambling which is what i tend to do

angie_baby

Hi Lolly

I was in the same place as you last October (2009). My DS has been confirm with ASD, ODD with traits of ADHD.

I ummed and arrhed for ages about DLA and weather to claim it. In the end i did. And i am now in reciept of DLA for DS.

I use his money to pay bills at times, i am often called from work (2-3 times a week) to collect him from school so had no choice but to use some of the money for that as im only paid for the hours i work. Plus ive used it to get there, im an hour away by train, only 20 mins in a cab.

Now he is only attending school for an hour a day i also use his DLA for his Kumon lessons, his tutor that comes once a week. Also for clothes, he chews them all the time (drives me up the wall) and to pay for the computer keyboard he broke at school.

His DLA helps me alot, means that i can have a tutor for him once a week so i can keep his learning up, kind of anyway.

Just noticed you have asked for the form. When you get the form photocopy it first, work on the photocopy and then transfer the info over. Its not a nice form to fill out, it only looks at the diffuculties you have with your child which can be quite depressing. I took a week over my form. I also kept a diary for two weeks to help fill out the form.

All the best,

Angie

Edited to add - i also use some of his DLA to cover his childcare when im at work as he is there for nearly a whole day now.

Indie_Kid

lolly1981 wrote: »

as he hasnt got his official diagnosis yet i am hoping that teh letters i do have will be enough...school will probably help

The diagnosis doesn't matter. There are many people out there who claim DLA legitametly and doesn't have a diagnosis.

johnwayne

My son still does not have an official diagnosis for his terrible behaviour & learning difficulties.

He has a diagnosis of Hypermobility but the rest of his problems they have put down to Global Developmental Delay but are now looking at ADHD as well as this.

He got DLA when he was 4yrs old as he had a lot more care needs than any normal child of his age.

He is now 7 & I am in the process of waiting to see if the renewal is successfull, he still has care needs much higher than any normal 7yr old

Angie-baby's advice about photocopying the form first is a good one. Also dont forget to take a copy of the completed form before you send it off just incase you need to refer to it, its best to send it recorded delivery as well.

Thought you may find this guide usefull.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/pdfs/DLA_factsheet.pdf

angelheart-xx

sh1305 wrote: »

The diagnosis doesn't matter. There are many people out there who claim DLA legitametly and doesn't have a diagnosis.

i was told i would need to wait till 3 months after diagnosis with my daughters adhd,does it make your case stronger though if you wait till the 3 months is up?

and do the renewal forms come out automatically before its due for renewal as my daughters was paid till sept 10

thanks in advance

delerium

Hi Lolly,

I have read through this with interest, I personally don't have a child with any additional care needs but I work in CAMHS. Alot of the advice you have been given is excellent particularly the bit about photocopying the form.

If you decide to claim can I suggest that you don't fill the form in on your own, I would ask your parents and family to give examples of why they won't care for your son, talk to his teacher about the worst of his behaviour. In my experience parents find this really difficult for exactly the reason you have already said that you are just used to the behaviours, but in order to be successful in claiming DLA you really need to paint the worst case scenario which is always going to be difficult for a parent to do.

As for spending the money it is actually for you at this age, it is to help you meet the additional care needs your child has....once they are 16 and can claim in their own right then the money is for them to meet their additional care needs, hence the reason you will hear alot on here about high care but low mobility rates. I have helped a number of parents by filling in the forms based on my experiences working with their child and the parents information about how things are outwith the sessions I have with them. Spend the money on things your son breaks, tears, rips etc time out for the family etc but you don't have to explain yourself to anyone.

Another thing to note is that if you claim DLA you get additional benefits within child tax credits if you are in receipt of them too.

Feel free to PM me if you want.

angelheart-xx

it was a representation unit that told me that and but really with adhd they have never not had it and may never grow out of it cause i read on that cafamily pdf that had extra care for at least 3 months and have them for 6 months more...its all confusing now

Savvy_Sue

angelheart-xx wrote: »

cause i read on that cafamily pdf that had extra care for at least 3 months and have them for 6 months more...its all confusing now

The point about the 3 months and 6 months is that you can't claim DLA for temporary conditions. So you can't claim until the 'need' for DLA has been there for at least 3 months, and you must at that point expect the 'need' for DLA to be there for at least another 6 months. It's always unrelated to diagnosis, but I guess many people don't realise there is anything to claim for before diagnosis, and the professionals telling you about DLA might not think to make the point that as long as the 'need' has already been there for at least 3 months you can put your claim in straight away.

I hope that makes sense.

angie_baby

I put my claim in within about 3 weeks of getting a dignosis. On the form they ask you how lon have you been having problems. I put 4 years which is true. Its just that getting a diagnosis took a long time. (i didnt help as i also had alot of denial to deal with)