Could I claim?

jen30_2

I have 3 children. 2 DS and 1 DD. My youngest DS has hearing problems and despite an operation to fit gromits we have seen no change in his level of hearing. He has speech & language problems as a result and needs extra care and attention when we are out and about. My oldest DS is being assessed to see if he has Aspurgers syndrome (sp?)(a type of autism). We find out tomorrow what the Dr's conclusions are. My question is could I claim Disability Livung Allowance for 1 or both of my DS? If so how do I go about this and who makes the decisions as to who qualifies and who doesn't?

Many Thanks

Jen

cattie

It's the DWP decision makers who make the ultimate decisions as to who does & doesn't qualify. Usually they will want evidence from hospital, gp & other professionals involved in care to help them decide. Also school in the case of children who are statemented.

In some cases they send out a medical examiner to visit at home. Care needs must have existed for at least 3 months & be expected to last a further 3 or 6 months, can't remember which now.

It's always best to have the help of a welfare rights worker when filling out the forms as they are quite involved.

montrose5

:rolleyes2 Also try CAB who usually have someone in the know re benefits. Might also be worth popping into your local council offices, they may be able to provide some benefits such as free or reduced public transport. Take a look at https://www.direct.gov.uk which has a section on benefits and how to claim

Mrs_B_12

http://www.specialkidsintheuk.org Useful links and a forum for parents too there, really helpful.

lil_me

As explained it's decision makers who make the decision. Worst they can say is no, not as if they can take away something you're already getting so worth applying. The sooner you get the forms the less you'll loose out on if you qualify. https://www.benefitsnow.co.uk is a helpful site. Also try local welfare rights/carers centre.

mclaren_2

The hearing/speech is not a disibility so no

Asperger's syndrome - i am unsure aboutt his one as i dont know if they class it as a disibility as such. To get DLA you have to be medically ill or have a medical condition - Asperger's syndrome could come in to this but i dont know.

custard30

mclaren wrote:

The hearing/speech is not a disibility so no

Asperger's syndrome - i am unsure aboutt his one as i dont know if they class it as a disibility as such. To get DLA you have to be medically ill or have a medical condition - Asperger's syndrome could come in to this but i dont know.

I would disagree on both counts. Depending on the severity of each childs problems:
http://www.rnid.org.uk/information_resources/factsheets/benefits/factsheets_leaflets/disability_living_allowance.htm
http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=300&a=3330

fabwitch_2

I would claim for both children. Speach and hearing problems can affect the child at School causing learning difficulties and and also the child will need supervision and support when outside example a deaf child may not hear traffic so would need a adult with them for road safety, etc. . I applied for my son who has all the syptoms of Dyspraxia and was turned down at first but I asked them to look at my claim again and sent in a nine page letter from myself saying why I disagreed with their decision. My son has fast speach which makes it difficult for people to understand him at times therefore would be at danger outside if left on his own so he needs to be supervised at all times. Yesterday I found out my son has now been awarded low rate mobility and middle rate care as he needs help washing,bathing etc. When applying you really do have to spell out everything in really simple language. There are some good sites for help doing this.
http://www.1voice.org.uk/DLA.htm

http://www.mumsonline.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11
http://www.disabilityinformation.com/forums/default.asp
These forums will give you more help. If you need further help send me a pm and I can give you further information on how to claim