Cancelling DLA - Autism

bbansuri

Hi all!

When I was really young (I am 21) my parents did my claim and I have been in receipt of higher care and the lowest mobility. I took over this claim when I went to university and as many of you know Autism doesn't 'go away' but the way you handle it can improve and that is the case, sometimes people don't even recognize it and only those are are close or are with me on a daily basis notice see it!

It's an lifetime indefinite award I believe but I have just graduated and moving to a different city to begin my life, should I say I feel like I'm handling my Autism better and I should cancel? I understand how hard it is to GET DLA none-the-less ask to get rid of it but I would I be charged over-[payments etc? This money is really helping me start my life but I can't feel but like i"m doing something wrong. I am Autistic, that's never going to go away but will they see it like that? I hope you know what I mean. Autism doesn't get better you just deal with it better and it's quirks.

Anyway, thank you SO much for reading so far! Thanks!

ohreally

Do nothing at the moment. Go and have a chat with CAB or one of the mental health charities and get their view.

Good luck.

pmlindyloo

Do you think you still meet the criteria for DLA/

You can read about them here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658374/dmgch61.pdf

If you did report a change of circumstances then you would likely be assessed for PIP (Personal Independence Payment ) which have descriptors which you would have to meet. (You can google for these)

spadoosh

Sorry i cant help regarding your queries but i just wanted to say i think you have an amazing attitude. Its not always possible for people to completely support them self but i think showing the desire to be as independent as possible is an example we should all follow.

calcotti

Regardless of what you decide now your DLA will come to an end soon and you will invite to apply for PIP instead.

Alice_Holt

I don't think you don't need for worry about being charged overpayments.
This happens when someone has fraudulently claimed for a condition they don't have, and have tried to defraud the system by lying on their claim form.

PIP is different to DLA (as pmlindyloo has said), and unfortunately many people with DLA awards are not awarded PIP when their DLA awards come to an end. The DWP never go back to them to recover DLA payments - their award simply stops.

When you are invited to claim PIP, I'd suggest getting help with the forms. Because many people can adjust to their disabilities, it is natural to make light of difficulties and underestimate the help required when completing the PIP forms.
PIP looks at what you can do reliably, to an acceptable standard, and in a reasonable time period.

kingfisherblue

I think that your attitude is great. It's similar to my younger son. He has high functioning autism (previously known as Asperger's) and does not claim anything. He was a late diagnosis, and I didn't claim DLA for him, although my other son qualifies for different conditions. My younger son accepts that he is a bit different, and copes with his quirks, his fears, and his difficulties quite well. He doesn't see himself as disabled, but as having a lifelong condition that he is able to live with. It's not always easy, but it is manageable most of the time. My son has always been quite negative, but since his diagnosis, he has an answer to some of his questions and concerns. This has given him a better outlook, and his negativity, whilst still there, is not as bad as it was. He has depression as well, but is more likely to fight it than to sink now.

Having had your DLA for so long, I think that it is a brave decision to think about cancelling it. It's very easy to become reliant on money that is there every month. I applaud your positive attitude.

As everyone is being moved over to PIP at some point, I would suggest that you save all of your DLA each month (this will help you get used to being without the money, and will give you a small nestegg towards your future). Once you are invited to apply for PIP, you can chose not to apply, especially if you feel that you do not meet the descriptors.

Good luck in your new home and new life. You sound very mature for your age and I'm sure that your parents are proud of you and your achievements. You deserve to do well. I wish you every success.

TELLIT01

Alice_Holt wrote: »

I don't think you don't need for worry about being charged overpayments.
This happens when someone has fraudulently claimed for a condition they don't have, and have tried to defraud the system by lying on their claim form.

There have been many examples in the papers recently of people who made a genuine claim and then didn't report the fact that their condition had improved. They ended up in court so it certainly isn't as simple as saying that if a person has had a condition in the past they don't have to worry.
I don't know how autism or other mental health conditions are treated by DWP if there is an improvement, but I certainly think the OP would do well to get advice from a mental health professional.
I agree with comments by a number of other people that it is good to see somebody with a positive attitude to ceasing a claim.

calcotti

When thinking about this it's helpful to remember that the DLA or PIP money is to help you deal with difficulties you face. So even though you may have learnt to manage your condition better it doesn't necessarily mean that you are not entitled. Depending on the coping/managing strategies it may be that the extra money is needed to allow the strategies to be in place. This is obviously harder to illustrate in the case of mental health issues than physical difficulties.

Mostly it's shades of grey rather than black and white. Only you know how you condition affects you and how you manage it.