Can i afford to give up work to look after disabled son?

xylophone

http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/infosheets/ch_statementing.pdf
might be of interest.

rogerblack

Then there is the elephant in the room.
Your sons DLA is reassessed, and his entitlement removed or reduced to a point that you don't qualify for IS.

Is it possible you may win an appeal - certainly - at best this will mean several months (assuming the service does not speed up drastically) without PIP/IS/SMI.

And you will likely find getting back into work harder.

pmlindyloo

rogerblack wrote: »

Then there is the elephant in the room.
Your sons DLA is reassessed, and his entitlement removed or reduced to a point that you don't qualify for IS.

Is it possible you may win an appeal - certainly - at best this will mean several months (assuming the service does not speed up drastically) without PIP/IS/SMI.

And you will likely find getting back into work harder.

From the DWP.gov.uk

My child is under 16 years old. Will they be affected by the introduction of Personal Independence Payment?

[FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial]At the moment there are no plans to replace DLA for those under the age of 16.

• We want to see how the new benefit works for people of eligible age (see the answer to question 1) before making any decisions about children.
• If your child is under age 16 you can continue to make a claim to DLA as usual.
• Children getting DLA may remain on this benefit until they reach age 16 provided that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria. They will then need to claim for Personal Independence Payment.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]
https://www.dwp.

Dunroamin

pmlindyloo wrote: »

From the DWP.gov.uk

My child is under 16 years old. Will they be affected by the introduction of Personal Independence Payment?

[FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial]At the moment there are no plans to replace DLA for those under the age of 16.

• We want to see how the new benefit works for people of eligible age (see the answer to question 1) before making any decisions about children.
• If your child is under age 16 you can continue to make a claim to DLA as usual.
• Children getting DLA may remain on this benefit until they reach age 16 provided that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria. They will then need to claim for Personal Independence Payment.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][FONT=RPQZQE+ArialMT,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]
https://www.dwp.

The OP's son is already 12, even if there aren't any changes to the above, that's only 3/4 years in the future.

LunaLady

OP - with regard to the statement, how far have you got?

My own son is statemented after a real battle, and IPSEA were very, very helpful.

razzie

Thanks for help so far. So as far as I understand it I could be eligible for more tax credits, carers allowance, income support and mortgage interest payment. I dont have any savings... We currently have 1700 coming in a month, I'm not sure what amount IS is with premium etc and which would I need to claim first? Some of the posts about DLA being removed are a bit scary but I am sure they said would pay until 16. And I know this is only 3 and a half years away but I really dont feel I have a choice but to do this. If I invest in my son now and educate him in a stress free environment then I feel he is more likely to be able to go on and do something or I could keep pushing him and end up with a very traumatised young man who wont be able to do anything? I dont know ....I am scared about giving up a good salary and how difficult it will be to get back into work but maybe I just have to cross that bridge then...:(

razzie

sorry didnt see above post - we are 3 months into it, just had a meeting with educational psychologist who had spent time with my son and observed him and she supports the statement.

tiddlertot

In one simple sentence.

Why bother working when there is so much free money floating around just there for the taking.

rogerblack

pmlindyloo wrote: »

[*]Children getting DLA may remain on this benefit until they reach age 16 provided that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria. They will then need to claim for Personal Independence Payment.

This is the important bit.
DLA reassessments do not stop, simply because PIP is rolled out.

It is possible a child may not 'continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria' for DLA.
Awards are not simply frozen till the child reaches 16.
Awards can be reassessed at any time.

If the entitlement to DLA is a strong one, then there is less risk of this.

I am not saying that this is likely to happen, but the possibility should be borne in mind.

razzie

tiddlertot it's people like you that really make my blood boil. It's not free money, i have paid my taxes for 20 years and never claimed a benefit. Now I need some help and this is what the welfare state is for. And as for not working - have you ever tried to live with and teach Autistic children? No probably not and most people DO get paid to do this. I HAVE NO CHOICE... I either get the sack because of time off for all these hospital and school appointments or I put my son in respite care which will cost taxplayers a damm site more. YOU do the maths...