Epilepsy in a toddler and DLA/benefits

Bea89

My daughter whos 21 months old has just been diagnosed with epilepsy.

I was told yesterday by some one from the job centre who was doing 3 months check (iv just become a single mum) that if shes diagnosed i could be entitled to DLA.

We saw the consultant today for a second opinion who says there is no doubt that its epilepsy and has increased her dose of Epilim and given me something to give my daughter if she fits last more than 3 minutes that i have to carry on me where ever i go.

After speaking to the consultant i asked him about DLA and he told me i wouldn't get it because just epilepsy on its own its a disability :huh:

My daughter cant be left in a room on her own and she has to be in my sight all the time for her own safety.

Her medication as far as we can tell is working , it has reduced her fits from 2-3 times a week to once in 2 weeks but the side effects of it are very distressing for us both althought its better than her fitting and harming herself.

I was hoping that i could claim DLA so i could afford for her to go to nusery for a few hours a week to get the things i cant do with her done. Im meant to be doing a OU course which i was struggling with before the fits even started and now im so behind its unreal.

I have a good support network around me but the people i could leave her with have other commitments like work or college and these people would need to feel confident with giving her medication for if she fits over 3 minutes which i wouldnt like to put on to them.

Iv just applied for access to the epilepsy action forum but i was wondering if any one here knew if there is anything wer entitled too that could make things a bit more easier for us.

Thanks for read , sorry it got so low :rotfl:

Oh i just remembered , would my child tax credits or child benefit be affected?

Indie_Kid

if your daughter is awarded DLA, (can only get care because of her age) your tax credits will go up.

Bea89

Thank you , does any one know how long it takes claims to go throw?

dmg24

The difficulty you have with DLA is that it looks at care needs in addition to a healthy child of the same age. Any child of 21 months should not be left in a room alone, so you would need to demonstrate additional care needs to this.

A claim takes on average three months.

wornoutmumoftwo

My claim has so far taken 16 weeks (and counting).

sandy71

The DLA assesor takes into account that with epilepsy (and probably other conditions) things change from day to day. My award letter said something like they realise some days are better than others and sometimes no extra help is needed.
So although your daughter may not need any more attention than any other child of her age on a good day, when it's a bad day she does.
Answer the questions honestly and get as many supporting letters as possible from your neurologist and anyone else who deals with you and send them as well.
My claim took 10 weeks.
Good luck

ETA Your child benefit won't be affected and when I told the tax credit office they increased my award!

[Deleted User]

the consultant is wrong to say that epilepsy is not a disability,and he has no way of knowing if you would get dla for dd
get the application forms and get help with filling them in from cab or welfare rights,also discuss with dd`s gp her situation so that when they write to the gp he will be in the picture,you might also want to take a look at the very helpful NSE site they have a great(free)forum and tele helpline and lots of useful info.:

http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/Homepage

Indie_Kid

woodbine wrote: »

he has no way of knowing if you would get dla for dd

Yeah, I've been told this. My GP also said that not all GPs know about their patients care / mobility needs. All mine knows is the tiredness and reading difficulties.

kingfisherblue

My MIL receives DLA for epilepsy

[Deleted User]

Epilepsy is a disability as described by the Disability Discrimination Act as it is already proved in case law. Your consultant is talking through his ***

That aside diagnosis has nothing do with DLA although it can help. What matters is care and monility needs. You need to pay attention to what dmg24 says above as you actually have a lot more to prove with children. I know you have to pay extra close attention to a child with epilepsy and they have lots of care needs related to aftercare etc but you have to explain that on the forms in a way which proves it is above and beyond what any other small child would need.

This booklet should help http://www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/DLA_guide.htm But still get help with the forms from CAB or similar.

Indie_Kid

Do you have a child the same as your daughter who you can compare her to?