DLA for 2 years 9 months old child

Zayats

Hello guys,

I have a few quick questions, if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.

My youngest son will be 3 in May. He is currently undergoing assessments potentially for Autism. He has not been given a a diagnosis yet but we have already accepted that he has some kind of condition as he is way behind in his development, cannot communicate with us really at all and he needs constant supervision. My Wife cannot get back to work as we really don't have anyone available who could look after our son as he is a real livewire and needs constant attention. Someone suggested to us that we claim DLA, it was the first I had heard about this therefore I wonder if you guys can help me with the below questions.

My questions are:

1. Can we claim for DLA even though a diagnosis has not been given yet?
2. Will DLA result in a reduction of our Child Tax Credits?
3. If we claim DLA and it turns out that his developments picks up, is there a liability to pay this back if no formal diagnosis can be given?

Any help would be appreciated.

NeilCr

Some good information here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/before-you-claim-dla/check-if-you-can-get-dla/


including info on other benefits

No you won't have to pay it back

Darksparkle

DLA would increase CTC as you'd also get the child disability element (and potentially severe disability element depending on care level)

Alice_Holt

1) Yes. You would have to show that as a result of his disability your son needs more care, attention or supervision than a child of the same age who isn't disabled.
You can claim DLA even if your child does not have a diagnosis. It is sufficient that they have some form of disability even if this has not yet been formally diagnosed.
See - http://www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support/money-benefits-work-and-childcare/benefits-and-tax-credits/disability-living-allowance/

2) No, it may increase CTC - See http://www.cafamily.org.uk/news-and-media/extra-tax-credit-payments-if-youre-claiming-dla/
Also if a DLA are component is awarded at the middle or high rate your wife may be able to claim Carers Allowance. See - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/benefits-for-people-who-are-sick-or-disabled/#h-benefits-for-carers

3) No.

I would suggest getting help to complete the form from your local CAB / advice agency.

Brighty

As above, DLA is about additional needs, not diagnosis

All the questions are based around how many extra minutes per day/night do you spend doing different things, over and above what you would expect for a 'normal' child of the same age.

We were awarded mid rate care DLA for our son when he was 4, who has speech/language delay/difficulties and alot of autism traits, though mild compared to full blown autism. He had no diagnosis, still doesn't and he is now 6.

If you haven't got it already, take a look through the form you need to fill in
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/423885/dla1a-child-print.pdf

Make sure you phone up and request a hard copy form though, as if you do that and get it awarded, payment is backdated to the day you requested the form, otherwise, if you just fill in and send off the pdf form, it will only be backdated to the day they receive your completed form.

It's a very long, daunting form, but just take your time and plod your way through it. I managed it in 1 evening. Half the form relates to care, the other half mobility. It's worth filling in the mobility section, but you can't get awarded a mobility component until a child is 5.

Try to dig out copies of all Dr's letters/reports and anything else you have, you'll need to send copies with the form to back up your claim.

Take a look at the Cerbera guide
http://w3.cerebra.org.uk/help-and-information/guides-for-parents/dla-guide/
Very helpful for filling out the DLA form for non physical disabilities such as ADHD and ASD etc

If you end up getting awarded mid or high rate care (as opposed to low) then you will be eligible to also get carers allowance of £62.10 a week as well, so long as you don't earn more than £110 a week from work

Brighty

Zayats

Thanks a lot guys. I never even considered it to be honest as I did not consider him to have any physical disability but I have now come to realise that it is all about additional support. I had a look through the form last night and will give it a bash tonight. We have received the initial assessment report from the speech and language therapist, this therapy is ongoing. We seen the paediatric doctor last week for an assessment and they said that they will involve a specialist to liaise with the nursery (when he starts) regarding any additional needs he may have and they will meet again in 4 months to review his development. Therefore I wont have too much documentation to support my claim just now (I am hoping that a pediatric report will be sent to us following our visit) however if not is this likely to hinder our claim?

Thanks again for all your help, I am still trying to process everything that has happened over the last wee while, I guess I was in denial.

poppy12345

Zayats wrote: »

Thanks a lot guys. I never even considered it to be honest as I did not consider him to have any physical disability but I have now come to realise that it is all about additional support. I had a look through the form last night and will give it a bash tonight. We have received the initial assessment report from the speech and language therapist, this therapy is ongoing. We seen the paediatric doctor last week for an assessment and they said that they will involve a specialist to liaise with the nursery (when he starts) regarding any additional needs he may have and they will meet again in 4 months to review his development. Therefore I wont have too much documentation to support my claim just now (I am hoping that a pediatric report will be sent to us following our visit) however if not is this likely to hinder our claim?

Thanks again for all your help, I am still trying to process everything that has happened over the last wee while, I guess I was in denial.

Evidence will be needed to support your claim, anything from Dr's letters, hospital reports etc. The more the better. Good luck.