Dla for baby-advice please?

lin_c_2

Do you have a specialist nurse or health visitor that is an expert in your child's condition who could perhaps help you to fill in the form. Or perhaps you could speak to someone from Contact A Family who will have experience of babies with disabilities.
It's always very difficult to fill in the form for a baby because it is difficult to specify what makes a child with a disability different from a child without because at such a young age there needs can be very similar and for the purpose of DLA they must have needs substantially in excess of the normal requirement of children of the same age. I'm assuming you have to put him in a special position to sleep. Do you have to give him physio? Does he cry more often than a baby of the same age? Take all this into consideration when filling in the forms. Perhaps keep a diary for a few days of how much time you need to spend on his particular needs. Even holding him and giving him comfort is more care than normally required. Perhaps you could speak to parents of older children with a comparible condition who have gone through the same thing.
The very best of luck to you and your little baby, I hope your claim is a successful one.
Lind regards,
Lin

skipsmum

jo78 wrote: »

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

Actually in special cases babies can have the high rate mobility component. Babies who need oxygen therapy or regular suction can qualify.
For the care rate, its as Jo and Lin say, you need to list all the care above and beyond that which you would expect to give a child without the condition. Make sure you get some help with it
http://www.steps-charity.org.uk/links/1-0-home.php are fantastic both with forms and with help, questions and support.
Best wishes, Skipsmum xx

Indie_Kid

skipsmum wrote: »

Actually in special cases babies can have the high rate mobility component. Babies who need oxygen therapy or regular suction can qualify.

Do you have a link to this, please? On any sites relating to DLA and children, it says that HRM can only be claimed from 3 years old.

kingfisherblue

My understanding is that babies and under 3s cannot get HRM, but a couple of years ago the laws for blue badges changed, allowing for under 3s to have one if they need oxygen. Perhaps this is what skipsmum is thinking of?

Page 7 on this link:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/259428/281009/bluebadge.pdf

This link confirms that mobility can only be claimed from age 3 (high rate) and age 5 (low rate)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport/dg_10011816

lin_c_2

Forgot to say if you are claiming DLA inform HMRC as child tax credits are higher for a disabled child. You can inform them your intention to claim you don't need to wait for a decision.

nannytone_2

my daughter had a blue badge for her little boy at 18 months, but he didnt get HRM til he was 3.......and he was as severely disabled as it gets.........tube fed and on oxygen.
he did improve a lot............he was the happiest boy you ever met!

all i can say to parents of sick babies is 'enjoy them'!
my grandson was 'normal' til he was 18 months and then got ill. he was left with brain damage, full body cerebral palsy and epilepsy after getting viral encephalitis. he sadly died in May last year ( unexpectedly, as he was doing amazingly well.........even walking in a frame!)
every stepo was a battle.........but a battle worth fighting!

skipsmum

Hi,
no, definitely babies - I provide respite care for a 2 year old who gets mobility in her own right and has an adapted car from motability. (obviously she doesnt drive it!)
I am fairly sure it was all done at the hospital, but as she is life-limited it may have come under the terminal illness rules I'll find out in case it will help anyone xx

Kylecraiggan

My heart goes out to you, have you sought another opinion about your babies legs? Amputation is so final and who knows what they may be able to do in the future. I wish you and your family the best of wishes. Lorraine

skipsmum

Hiya, went and double checked because I don't want to give out the wrong info. Child is 2 1/2 and gets HRM and HRC under the terminal illness fast track system.
Tbh I hope this doesn't help anyone, because I hope noones child has a terminal condition

*jobags*

Hiya - congrats on your beautiful baby

I've been getting DLA for my boy for ages - I applied when he was 2 weeks old as I was told there was only a 10% chance he would live to 6 months - he's now 8!
He's been getting it since then. On the basis of your diagnosis I would say you're almose deffo entitled but you do need expert help in filling out the form as they love turning people down

We're under GOSH as well - amazing place, first hospital I've ever known where patients and their families are spoken to as if they're intelligent humans.

If all else fails there is help at GOSH - just ask for a social worker there.