Non-resident parent applying for DLA for child

Michael23

Hi,

Is it possible that a non-resident parent could apply for DLA for their child or does it strictly have to be the mother and the resident parent?

Tigsteroonie

I honestly don't know.

But I have to ask, as the NRP, would you be sharing the DLA with the RP to cover the increase care costs that you both shoulder?

Michael23

Of course. I suspect because I have my child less, my child's mother will be awkward about it all. Shame really.

[Deleted User]

Why can't the RP apply?

Rubyroobs

Something you would also need to consider is that by claiming DLA, the child tax credits ( or Universal credit child element) is increased significantly by the addition of a disabled child premium, so if the resident parent gets the child tax credits for the child they would potentially miss out on this? I'm really not sure if they could still get that premium if they didn't claim the DLA ! Potentially though affects lots of things , also like someone being able to claim carers allowance and carers premiums/ elements on other benefits. So actually there's more to consider than just the actual DLA money itself. You would need to speak to the resident parent and see what would work best.

calcotti

Any DLA awarded is an award to the child, it the carer. The DWP will then accept someone as an appointee to receive and manage the money on behalf of the child. I don’t know if there is guidance on this but it would be logical if this was the primary carer which is therefore likely to be the person who cares for them most of the time, which is logically more likely to be the resident parent than the non resident parent.

Alice_Holt

To add to calcotti's post.
A DLA claim application is likely to be more successful when the form is authored by either the main carer (who provides the additional care required by the child) or both parents together.

Does your child have a SENCO?
Who liases with school / GP / health specialists?

I would suggest a joint approach from both parents, and then a joint decision on how to split the Child Benefit / DLA between parents to get the best outcome for the child.

An application from solely the non resident parent may enable the DWP to more easily refuse an application.

kingfisherblue

It may also depend on how often the NRP sees the child, and how much the NRP does for the child that costs extra due to disability. I'm the main carer for my children, and one has DLA. As his dad sees him for only six hours a week (his choice), I would be really miffed if he tried to get any of my son's DLA. His dad doesn't shoulder any of the additional costs of disability, which is what the DLA is for. He sometimes buys a Happy Meal (bearing in mind that our son is now 21, and would prefer an adult meal!), and very occasionally he buys a CD or DVD for our son.



In the meantime, my son's DLA pays for the extra fuel, electricity and gas that are needed almost constantly. It pays for the wipes, replacement clothing, social events, and different foods that are needed. It pays for car parking at appointments, and for educational supplies - anything that is needed.



So rather than asking if the NRP can claim DLA for the child, maybe the question should be whether there are any costs relating to disability involved, and how to share the DLA to cover those costs. I appreciate that some non-resident parents will have costs to bear, but many won't.