Have I gambled the DLA?

bbjohnny

I've not been a posting member before but I get the email and read the boards and articles from time to time.

I was okay with getting DLA for my autistic son when he was three years old. I got awarded HRC about nine months before he was officially diagnosed.

After he turned five I applied for the mobility component. I don't think I'm being greedy, he genuinely is a problematic child when it comes to walking, and I know most autistics get LRM to go with HRC. There are more challenging children out there behaviourally, but when it comes to being easily distracted, my child is unbelievable. You have to see it to believe it.

The claim was refused stating that he does not have significantly more problems with walking that other five year olds do.

I requested a redecision right away as I strongly disagree with this. I argued that if he is no different to other five year olds, why does his school treat him differently to the rest of his class?! Why do they assign him a specially trained TA for walks, trips to church and even PE?

I asked his school to send in a letter explaining the things they do for my child extra or different to his peers and they said they did this, though I don't actually know what they wrote. I did this on requesting the redecision, in response to their saying he is not different to other children his age.

I've not heard back yet, but I do worry that this redecision is basically a silly gamble. I could do with the extra money as it costs a lot to drive my child everywhere because of his problems.

I'm risking my HRC by doing this at a time when cut backs are being made. I could wind up still not getting LRM and getting cut to MRC or LRC besides.

Should I just ring up and cancel and forget about it all?

I feel unnecessarily stressed about all of this now. The whole thing is up for renewal in June anyway, and I was already worried that I would lose the HRC because of the upcoming cutbacks. That's why I wanted to get in the LRM claim so quickly - so that if my HRC drops, the income chunk won't be so huge. I will lose a big TC chunk if it drops, and because my son his high functioning rather than low, I don't get anything from social services except holiday respite - everything else I pay for with these disability benefits (the list is huge, if you have a moderate autistic you will understand).

MrsManda

I think the best thing you can do is take a deep breath and relax. You've sent off the paperwork and all you can do is wait - I wouldn't try to cancel the redecision as they may have looked at it already/be in the midst of looking at it.

lilly81

I understand how hard it is when you have to fight for every bit of help you need for your son but this is a battle where you are just going to have to sit back and wait.
Good luck
LillyX

bbjohnny

goffo wrote: »

Why are you viewing DLA as a means to get more money or hold on to what you have already?
Surely we are all in this to suffer to bring down the country's debt?

Or do you feel as though you should be exempt?

DLA IS a means to increase a disabled person's income.

And I most certainly DO feel my disabled child is exempt from Labour's financial mess. Let the fat bankers go without a bit of champagne with their Sunday dinner but don't expect my kid to risk his safety. He didn't ask to be born at all let alone with a disability.

Don't you dare say 'why don't you get a job then' because his care needs are such that I gave up to be his full time carer three years ago. His Dad is dead, we have only benefits to live off until his care becomes consistent in school.

Gee I wonder why I didn't become a member sooner.

ali-t

bbjohnny wrote: »

DLA IS a means to increase a disabled person's income.
.

I thought it was to pay for services or products to enable someone with a disability to live as unaffected a life as possible? To the best of my knowledge it isn't compensation for having a disability or to increase someone's income.

Perhaps I am being too simplistic about it but if you are evidencing on the form that you are spending the money on your child that you wouldn't be spending anyway then it is should be reassessed as a genuine need on the part of your son e.g. having to use the car because you can't take your child on public transport or having to buy specific food that you wouldn't have to buy for the rest of the family. However if you present the claim as a salary for you to look after your son or part of the family income it may not be looked on as favourably.

The whole thing is up for renewal in June anyway, and I was already worried that I would lose the HRC because of the upcoming cutbacks. That's why I wanted to get in the LRM claim so quickly - so that if my HRC drops, the income chunk won't be so huge. I will lose a big TC chunk if it drops, and because my son his high functioning rather than low, I don't get anything from social services except holiday respite - everything else I pay for with these disability benefits (the list is huge, if you have a moderate autistic you will understand).

Indie_Kid

ali-t wrote: »

I thought it was to pay for services or products to enable someone with a disability to live as unaffected a life as possible? To the best of my knowledge it isn't compensation for having a disability or to increase someone's income.

Perhaps I am being too simplistic about it but if you are evidencing on the form that you are spending the money on your child that you wouldn't be spending anyway then it is should be reassessed as a genuine need on the part of your son e.g. having to use the car because you can't take your child on public transport or having to buy specific food that you wouldn't have to buy for the rest of the family. However if you present the claim as a salary for you to look after your son or part of the family income it may not be looked on as favourably.

There is no law stating what DLA must be spent on.

ali-t

sh1305 wrote: »

There is no law stating what DLA must be spent on.

It may not be 'law' but direct gov site states "Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults to help with extra costs you may have because you are disabled. It is not based on your disability but the needs arising from it"

So, there isn't legislation about what you can and can't spend it on but its purpose isn't just to bump up the family living expenses.

bbjohnny

ali-t wrote: »

It may not be 'law' but direct gov site states "Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults to help with extra costs you may have because you are disabled. It is not based on your disability but the needs arising from it"

So, there isn't legislation about what you can and can't spend it on but its purpose isn't just to bump up the family living expenses.

It is absolutely none of your business what my expenditure is. For all you know I could use it all to buy drugs and shoes as could anybody else on here.

The pertinent information here is that my child should clearly qualify for this money in accordance with their criteria and an abundance of supporting evidence, but has not been awarded it - at a time when cutbacks are being made. My child is not a mild case who seems okay most of the time and only requires a small amount of extra help, they have related issues and an obvious disability.

DLA claims are based around care needs and not material purchases, contrary to your opinions. I drive my child everywhere for their own safety, however the same amount of money is paid for those who walk for free and have to be closely supervise.

I really cannot believe your attitude. Are you autistic yourself? Aspergers? Because I can't think of any other reason why you consider it acceptable to speak to a complete stranger who has a delicate personal life in such a rude, presumptious and aggressive manner.

lilly81

This thread seems to of gone off topic, I'm sorry BBJOHNY that your first thread has come up against ignorant people.

DLA for disabled children is often used so that one of the parents dont have to try to work and look after their disabled child at the same time.
My son is also Autistic and he does not fit into any form of child care, spends at least one day a week suspended from school and has to go by car as he runs off if I try to walk anywhere. Im up most night with him and spend my days in meetings or at appoinments for him.
He also is on a specialist diet which costs more. Even on DLA I go without so that he can have.

I worked as an accountant paying loads of tax before my son was born and I have made several unsuccessful attempts to go back into the work place but with no one able to cope with my son I have had to quit!

I hope you can understand that having a disabled child is not a career option for us and maybe you will be more sympathetic towards us in the future!

cit_k

ali-t wrote: »

It may not be 'law' but direct gov site states "Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults to help with extra costs you may have because you are disabled. It is not based on your disability but the needs arising from it"

So, there isn't legislation about what you can and can't spend it on but its purpose isn't just to bump up the family living expenses.

It is - it is to bump up the family living expenses to the same level as an equivalant person without those care/mobility needs caused by disability.

sader1

cit_k wrote: »

It is - it is to bump up the family living expenses to the same level as an equivalant person without those care/mobility needs caused by disability.

Unfortunately you are wrong on that point. DLA is clearly for the benefit of the recipient in consideration of their extra needs.

It is not a compensation package to make up for what someone has lost in income!!

Have a read on the Gov website - it tells you exactly what it is for!