Dla for baby-advice please?

windmillbubs

Hi
My 17 week old baby was born with shortened tibias -first shin bone- absent fibias-second shin bones- and talipes-clubfeet. His case is very severe and extremely rare.
We went to gt armband st and our baby is having a double amputation at 9 months just below his tibias. When we were there the consultant asked if we had claimed dla yet, which we hadn't. He said we should do.
I phoned up and got the form but it doesn't really apply to babies.

Has anyone else had any experience of filling out dla forms for babies?

Any positive help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jo

Indie_Kid

You need to prove that your 17 week old with his disabilities has more care needs than the averag 17 week old.

formaldehyde_perfume

^ possible troll. I wonder if they've run out of names to call themselves and just went with last nights dinner options at the troll factory.

Edit: Troll removed post.

Dainty1976

I really feel for you - what an awful situation. I hope you are managing to keep it together at a time like this. You are going to need all the support you can get!

I just wanted to say that your local council will have a specialist benefits adviser who can help fill out the form with you. I used our local adviser and I owe her a million thank you's, she's amazing.

They are very experienced and will know exactly what to put on the form. I suggest you contact them and ask for an appointment. Dont worry if its a few weeks to wait as your DLA claim (if you're entitled) is backdated to the day you originally requested the form, although you only have 3 months in which to apply from that request date.

That adviser will also be able to put you in touch with other organisations and support groups that can help and open up a wealth of local support and information that will make life easier to cope with.

My thoughts are with you!

Indie_Kid

Dainty1976 wrote: »

They are very experienced and will know exactly what to put on the form. I suggest you contact them and ask for an appointment. Dont worry if its a few weeks to wait as your DLA claim (if you're entitled) is backdated to the day you originally requested the form, although you only have 3 months in which to apply from that request date.

It's 4 weeks.

OP - does your baby have extra care needs that have lasted for 3 months and will last for at least another 6?

Dainty1976

Dainty1976 wrote: »

Dont worry if its a few weeks to wait as your DLA claim (if you're entitled) is backdated to the day you originally requested the form, although you only have 3 months in which to apply from that request date.

Sorry, my mistake its actually 6 weeks from original request as per the DWP website:

"If you request a form from the Benefit Enquiry Line, the date of request will be treated as your date of claim from which Disability Living Allowance can be paid, as long as the form you receive is returned within six weeks of that date. If you delay making a claim, you may lose out on benefit."

see link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011925

nannytone_2

it's so difficult with kids.
if i am right in assuming that your baby's problems are withg his legs.........
you wont be entitled to DLA until he is 3, as thats when high rate mobility kicks in.
unless of course there are other medical problems that you havent posted.

paddedjohn

"gt armband st" do you mean Great Ormond Street Hospital?

jo78

Hi have you been on the steps website they have forums on there for talipes I'm on the one for ddh they were really helpful with Owens dla claim I'm sure if you ask someone will give you some help on what to put down x x

Indie_Kid

nannytone wrote: »

it's so difficult with kids.
if i am right in assuming that your baby's problems are withg his legs.........
you wont be entitled to DLA until he is 3, as thats when high rate mobility kicks in.
unless of course there are other medical problems that you havent posted.

I agree. The child may have extra care needs when they're older - maybe not now.

jo78

You can apply for the care part of dla for a child once they are three months old
children only get the mobilty part once they are three years old
so it's worth applying it's not easy to get but don't let it put you off
I'm sure there are a lot of things that you need to do for your baby that others of the same age don't need
Jo x