Benefits for disabled 15 year old

margaretk

My grandaughter is 15 years old (16 in June of this year) and has Aspergers Syndrome. Also at the end of last year she developed Ulcerative Colitis which did not respond to treatment, resulting in her having to have her bowel removed and an ileostomy. My daughter (her mother) is a single parent and normally working full time, although she has had to take time off work due to my grandaughter being in hospital from the end of October last year to the present time (apart from 2 weeks at Christmas). My grandaughter is getting DLA for the Aspergers and I would like to know if she would also be able to claim DLA for having the ileostomy and bowel removal. Also are there any other benefits which my daughter may be able to claim on my grandaughter's behalf.

Sorry for being a bit long-winded, but if anyone has any advice on this matter, it would be appreciated.

Indie_Kid

If your daughter receives tax credits, then she should be receiving a disability premium and enhanced (I think it's called) disability premium if she'd on the higher care rate.

For the bowel stuff - it would have to proved that she has more care needs than any other 15 year old. You may also find that the Aspergers means she many struggle with the bowel care side of things.

nannytone_2

what rates of DLA care/mobility is she on now?
for middlr care she would need sustained care throughout either the day or night.
for high rate care she would need care both day and night.
low mobility is generally for supervision outside
high rate mobility is unable/virtually unable to walk.

KxMx

Having a collection device in itself is generally not enough to claim benefits, because in effect it is a cure for incontinence, however with her mental health there might be grounds for increased care needs.

If she is able to look after things herself however it's very unlikely she will qualify for any extra help.

You do have my sympathies, must have been an awful case of UC to have gone to surgery so quickly, although it can't be easy for your granddaughter now having a bag, it is in effect a cure. Unlike people with the other bowel disease Crohns who can struggle for years knowing it can come back anywhere any time. A bag is a high price to pay for a cure though, especially for one so young.

I hope she is getting support such as a stoma nurse, and the UK bowel disease charity are quite good. Maybe it would be worth speaking to her GP to see about counselling? It's alot for any 15 year old to go through so quickly, let alone a 15 year old with aspergers.

margaretk

Thanks to all of you for your help. My daughter has been informed that she will get increased Child Tax Credit, which is a help. I just didn't want her to miss out on anything she may have been able to claim.

TattyG

Depending how much your daughter works, she might be entitled to Carers Allowance. She needs to be earning under £100 a week and provide 35 (?) hours of care. Your granddaughter also needs to be on middle or higher rate DLA. x

Indie_Kid

TattyG wrote: »

Depending how much your daughter works, she might be entitled to Carers Allowance. She needs to be earning under £100 a week and provide 35 (?) hours of care. Your granddaughter also needs to be on middle or higher rate DLA. x

Yes, it's 35 hours per week care minimum for carers allowance.

tinkledom

nannytone wrote: »

middlr care she would need sustained care throughout either the day or night.

Are you sure??


I thought it was regular throughout the day/night, and not sustained or continual?

nannytone_2

i sisnt say 'constant' care, but yes, the care needs to be frequant and for prolonged periods.
so not just 3 times a day for 10 minutes