Benefits for disabled child

shazza79

I am currently self employed and along with my husband we are claiming child and working tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

My 2 year old has recently been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I know that we would should be able to claim DLA for him but wondered if there was anything other benefits as i've looked and its all very complicated when it comes to claiming for children.

I may also have to give up work and wondered if i'd be entitled to IS?

DorsetGirl_2

Sorry to hear about the Diagnosis.

If you do get DLA at Middle or Hight rate care then you can claim Carer's allowance if you are not working (or earning less than £100 a week).

Notmyrealname

shazza79 wrote: »

I am currently self employed and along with my husband we are claiming child and working tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

My 2 year old has recently been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I know that we would should be able to claim DLA for him but wondered if there was anything other benefits as i've looked and its all very complicated when it comes to claiming for children.

I may also have to give up work and wondered if i'd be entitled to IS?

Two of my nephews have Duchens MD.

You can claim DLA. Also notify tax credits and inform them once you get DLA and then you'll get the disability component as well. Also there is carers allowance but there is an income cut off for qualifying which is quite low (less than £100 a week) for the person claiming and you need to care for your 2 year old 35hrs or more which of course one of you will be. It counts as income for tax credits so whether or not it is worth claiming carers you'd need to calculate.

Also get social services involved ASAP. You can get adaptations made to your home such as hoists, wheelchairs, wet rooms etc as the condition progresses.

There is also the Muscular Dystrophy Society who can help and there is the Family Fund which is a charity that provides money for holidays, days out, clothes etc for disabled children.

I would say that the Muscular Dystrophy Society is worth a call as they'll have a wealth of information to help you.

shazza79

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Two of my nephews have Duchens MD.

You can claim DLA. Also notify tax credits and inform them once you get DLA and then you'll get the disability component as well. Also there is carers allowance but there is an income cut off for qualifying which is quite low (less than £100 a week) for the person claiming and you need to care for your 2 year old 35hrs or more which of course one of you will be. It counts as income for tax credits so whether or not it is worth claiming carers you'd need to calculate.

Also get social services involved ASAP. You can get adaptations made to your home such as hoists, wheelchairs, wet rooms etc as the condition progresses.

There is also the Muscular Dystrophy Society who can help and there is the Family Fund which is a charity that provides money for holidays, days out, clothes etc for disabled children.

I would say that the Muscular Dystrophy Society is worth a call as they'll have a wealth of information to help you.

Thank you so much for your response. Do you know if you are a full time carer, are you also entitled to Income Support or is it one or the other?

kingfisherblue

You unlikely get IS as you are married. Your husband's income will be taken into account. Carers can get IS, but they do not usually have a partner if they receive IS.

niklepic

Hi Shazza79 - my son was diagnosed with Duchenne MD last year. He's 6 1/2. We've been able to claim DLA and so far get middle rate care and high rate mobility. Obviously this will change as his movement is more restricted. We don't qualify for carer's allowance as both of us work at the moment. We also get the disabilty element of tax credits which was backdated to the DLA start date.

If you want help with support groups etc let me know and I'll send you details.

shazza79

niklepic wrote: »

Hi Shazza79 - my son was diagnosed with Duchenne MD last year. He's 6 1/2. We've been able to claim DLA and so far get middle rate care and high rate mobility. Obviously this will change as his movement is more restricted. We don't qualify for carer's allowance as both of us work at the moment. We also get the disabilty element of tax credits which was backdated to the DLA start date.

If you want help with support groups etc let me know and I'll send you details.

Any information would be great thank you. I will pm you my email address.