cancelling dla

pupsicola

Just after some advice. My little boy has gradually over the last year been discharged by nearly all the health professionals who have been involved with his condition/care.

The only ones still involved is his speech and language therapist and our gp.

So I phoned dla on tuesday to cancel our claim. I was asked to put my request in writing which I did. Today I recieved a big pack asking me to fill out forms advising of his current condition so as his claim can be assessed.

I phoned them up and asked why this is necessary and they said its to make sure if we still need help we will get it.

I have filled the forms out and sent them off. My little boys care needs have decreased significantly from what they were. He has a condition that can flare up but has been really stable for a while.

Is this quite normal procedure when cancelling dla for kids?

no-oneknowsme

Hi pupsicola.

You will remember me telling you about cancelling my Daughters DLA award ?

I too telephoned the DLA and was told to put it in writing which I did and then I also received a booklet to fill in shortly afterwards.

At the time I called the DLA dept again and enquired as to the purpose of this and I was told that even though I , as the "childs" Mother considered my DD to be fully recovered , she may still be entitled to DLA but maybe at a different (lower) rate .

I asked did I HAVE to fill the form in and was told that if I wanted her claim looked at and reassesed then yes , I needed to fill the form in and send it back but , if I was certain that I wanted to end the claim then I was just to ignore it .

I chose not to fill the forms in as I was sure my DD was recovered and it was blatantly obvious to SEE that she was recovered as her DLA award was for very severe eczema.

I suppose its entirely up to you what you decide but I did advise you on your last thread to think very very carefully before you end the claim if there is ANY chance that your son could have a relapse.

pupsicola

Hi there,

Thanks so much for your advice. I too phoned them up and enquired about the necessity to fill the form out. I have filled it in and sent it off as they asked me too.

My son also has it because he suffered severe eczema, allergies and developmental delay. Gradually over the last year all the professionals except for speech and language have discharged him but with the advise that if problems occur my doctor can refer him again.

What I am concerned about is that they may think I should have asked for a re-assessment sooner. His actual care needs have only reduced recently which is why I didn't. However he hasn't had all the professionals involved with him for a few months that he once did. Though I have known I could always contact them again if he got worse.

I would never intentionally claim more than I felt entitled too but I am worried they may see it like that. I think I am over worrying this as I phoned to cancel the claim as soon as his paediatrician discharged him. So I have been honest and upfront with them. Any advice appreciated.

no-oneknowsme

Hi Pupsicola .

I honestly dont think you have anything to worry about .

At the end of the day you are doing something which the DLA dept probably dont experience very ofter ! I mean , I wouldnt imagine that their are many people who would voluntarily give up their (or their childs) entitlement to DLA .

The DLA dept wont be looking to see if your claim could have/should have been ended sooner...they will be looking to see if your Son has ANY lingering needs which would entitle him to DLA at any different rate than the one you were originally receiving.

Relax and enjoy the knowledge that your little boy is on the road to recovery.

pupsicola

Thank you for taking the time to put my mind at rest. It is so lovely to be at the stage where my little boy is okay now. I honestly never thought he would get to this stage. There were many times when he was tiny that we feared we may loose him such were his problems and the awful infections he suffered.

I got quite choked up and a bit teary cancelling his dla, not because of the loss of money lol, just at the luck of being able to do it because he is well. Im sure there are hundreds of families out there that would prefer to have a healthy child than be elligble for this benefit. Thanks again guys

MrsManda

pupsicola wrote: »

I got quite choked up and a bit teary cancelling his dla, not because of the loss of money lol, just at the luck of being able to do it because he is well. Im sure there are hundreds of families out there that would prefer to have a healthy child than be elligble for this benefit. Thanks again guys

This is such a great attitude (and unfortunately one not often seen on here) and I'm glad that your child has now recovered.

I'm not a child but I am really really really! looking forward to the day I can phone the DWP and cancel my DLA and ESA

All the best for the future

no-oneknowsme

I know exactly how you feel Pupsicola and it IS a great feeling !

My DD had suffered from severe eczema since she was approx 2 years old . We had tried everything to control it and on many occasion she was hospitilised to be given anitibiotics through a drip . At one stage she woke one morning (at about 15 years old) and was unable to feel any sensation in her left leg . We rushed her to hospital where she remained for almost 2 weeks before any feeling came back into her leg.

This was caused by her eczema (hard to believe but very true) becoming badly infected and poison travelling around her body (which had got in through the open wounds of her eczema) and settling behind her hip joint . This pressed on a certain nerve and resulted in her loosing feeling it it .

I tell you , that fortnight just waiting for the feeling to return to her leg was a hard one!

The relief that she no longer suffers like this at 17 years old was immense. The day I was able to cancel her DLA was the best day of all of our lives !

After trying for years to cure the eczema , including numerous sessions of ultraviolet light over the years it is hard to believe that her condition completely disappeared within months of her going on the contraceptive pill!

For anyone reading who has a DD with eczema just bear this in mind..

sjc3

Oh wow, what an inspiring thread. I am so pleased for you OP that your little boy is okay. I admire your honesty as well. I am sure the folks at the dla office dont often get people phoning up to cancel their benefit. Dont worry about them looking over your little boys claim. I am sure they just want to make sure he is not missing out on anything he is entitled too. What a wonderful feeling it must have been for you to make that call. All the best for the future for you and your family OP.

sjc3

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

After trying for years to cure the eczema , including numerous sessions of ultraviolet light over the years it is hard to believe that her condition completely disappeared within months of her going on the contraceptive pill!

For anyone reading who has a DD with eczema just bear this in mind..

Oh my goodness you really went through it as well with your child. It must have been so frightening when she was suffering so badly. I had no idea that eczema could be so serious and cause so many problems.

Very interesting about the contraceptive pill having such an amazing effect. A friend of mine has a teenager with eczema. It isn't as severe as the type your daughter had but I will mention this too her. If only to give her hope that as and when she feels its time to take the pill that it may help in some way. Thanks for sharing that with us.

no-oneknowsme

sjc3 wrote: »

Oh my goodness you really went through it as well with your child. It must have been so frightening when she was suffering so badly. I had no idea that eczema could be so serious and cause so many problems.

Very interesting about the contraceptive pill having such an amazing effect. A friend of mine has a teenager with eczema. It isn't as severe as the type your daughter had but I will mention this too her. If only to give her hope that as and when she feels its time to take the pill that it may help in some way. Thanks for sharing that with us.

You are most welcome.

Pass it on to your friend . If it helps her child then that will be a good result !

Quackers

pupsicola wrote: »

Is this quite normal procedure when cancelling dla for kids?

I know it's really sad but I just don't think DLA are used to it?

I phoned just over 12months ago to notify them of some changes to my daughters medical conditions as one had improved dramatically.

It resulted in them cancelling her DLA all together

I was expecting it to be lowered but not cancelled as she is still permanently disabled and will be for life but her Epilepsy is now under control.

It took a grand total of 51 weeks to fight the decision & it was finally reinstated with full back pay in December.

I just think they are not used to people asking to either cancel or change medical conditions to being 'better' than they were previously.

Sadly, it must kerfuddle them

So glad your son is better....it's such a relief isn't it when things improve?