DLA renewel

ukmum

I have been sent a renewel pack for my nephew as he will turn 16 in november so its an adult claim form, i'm his guardian & carer as my sis (his mum) passed away. He has speech & moderate learning difficulties so i'm filling in the form on his behalf but i'm getting really confused on some of the questions just wondered if anyone could help please

cabbage

its probably best to get help from CAB, DIAL or similar

ukmum

Thank you for your quick reply i think i will go to CAB tomorrow

sangiar

ukmum wrote: »

Thank you for your quick reply i think i will go to CAB tomorrow

Be aware that they are now increasingly only taking on cases that can be funded via legal aid.
No legal aid, no help.

DIAL - you can be waiting weeks if not months for an appointment because of the sheer numbers that are fighting and claiming benefits.

Quiet_Life

His social worker should be able to help you.

seggy1

Please dont fill the form out yourself please dont because some of the questions try and trick you i live in great yarmouth and my friends go to DIAL for help in filling out the form.

BUT AT ALL COSTS DONT FILL IT IN YOUR SELF THANKS ARTHUR

Also please go to your Doctor and get him on your side

ukmum

Thanks for all your replies, he hasn't got a social worker, he never had one while he was with his mum & they didn't help me when she passed away either even though i went to them for help. i have just emailed local DIAL & have decided to ring CAB tomorrow to see who can offer the best help. I know some of the questions can trick you. I just don't understand why he is classed as an adult in DLA eyes (to me he's still a child) when he is only now in year 11 at his Special Needs school so has another year before he goes to 6th form or college but the form has no questions about his school like there are on the child form, they were the ones DLA would write to for information on his speech & learning difficulties & his statement of educational needs too.

Richie-from-the-Boro

The renewal for DLA on behalf of your nephew is a standard requirement for any child reaching the age [ technical age ] of adulthood. I think you will find that any child receiving benefit, will when reaching the age of adulthood at 16 years will need to be him / herself themselves [ DLA1A ] responsible for the receipt and spending of that benefit income.

A few months before child's 16th birthday parents / guardian are usually sent a form asking if the child can manage their own money. It can be useful to do renewals at this age because its a good time to do a benefit check. It is however unusual to be sent a DLA renewal without the accompanying appointeeship needs being taken care of.

If they say that the child is capable, the benefit will then be in the child's name, it could still go into a parents / guardian's bank account, but all letters will be addressed to the child and they will be responsible for reporting any changes in their situation/condition as well as the money itself.

If parents / guardian's say that the child isn't capable they will get a visit, this is mainly a safeguarding procedure. Someone will visit, meets the child and makes a judgement. Generally there is nothing to be afraid of .. .. they are nice people with the child's best interests at heart and have the discretion to make their own judgements.

DLA renewal usually happens at 16, but not always, and is separate to the appointee-ship issue.

You have nothing whatsoever to be afraid of. This is one of only two areas where the system is kind to people. However because on this occasion DLA renewal and the adulthood checks appear not to be done simultaneously I like others think you should seek advice.

Anubis_2

I was going to mention appointee - I have an appointee, but there seems to be a gap between 16 and 18 years covering this.