DWP Discrimination

Michael23

I made an application for my 4-year-old daughter for DLA to help with some of the costs both me and her mum share together. I and my child's mum are separated and I have shared parental contact.

I received a call earlier from the children's DLA team who are querying why I as her father have made the application and not the child's mum. Equally why I've put my address forward instead of her mum's address (I did mention she resides primarily with mum) Also stated only one person can nominate themselves for payment (I know that part)

Is this even morally right that as a father I cannot even make an application for a benefit for my own daughter?

CakeCrusader

Michael23 wrote: »

I made an application for my 4-year-old daughter for DLA to help with some of the costs both me and her mum share together. I and my child's mum are separated and I have shared parental contact.

I received a call earlier from the children's DLA team who are querying why I as her father have made the application and not the child's mum. Equally why I've put my address forward instead of her mum's address (I did mention she resides primarily with mum < this!!) Also stated only one person can nominate themselves for payment (I know that part)

Is this even morally right that as a father I cannot even make an application for a benefit for my own daughter?

This isn't discrimination, you've told them that your daughter mostly lives with her mum and benefits usually go to the person who is the primary care giver. You've already told them that this isn't you!

Michael23

You can claim DLA for a child as long as you look after them as if you’re their parent. ‘Parent’ includes step-parents, guardians, grandparents, foster-parents, and even older brothers or sisters. - DLA Website

elsien

Michael23 wrote: »

I made an application for my 4-year-old daughter for DLA to help with some of the costs both me and her mum share together. I and my child's mum are separated and I have shared parental contact.

I received a call earlier from the children's DLA team who are querying why I as her father have made the application and not the child's mum. Equally why I've put my address forward instead of her mum's address (I did mention she resides primarily with mum) Also stated only one person can nominate themselves for payment (I know that part)

Is this even morally right that as a father I cannot even make an application for a benefit for my own daughter?

If she was primarily living with you and her mother applied, then she would get the same answer. It's not about being her father, it's about who is currently the primary care giver.
Is there any particular reason you are applying instead of the resident parent?

Michael23

The contact is pretty much 50/50 and the RP didn't feel like my daughter would qualify so I did the form.

sportsarb

I’m assuming your ex-partner is the child benefit recipient?

TELLIT01

Michael23 wrote: »

The contact is pretty much 50/50 and the RP didn't feel like my daughter would qualify so I did the form.

As has previously been stated, benefit is paid to the primary carer , other than in exceptional circumstances. Just because the primary carer choses not to claim, it doesn't mean that somebody else can claim instead. You could have completed the claim with all the mother's details as long as she was willing to sign it. That would be the sensible route to take, even at this stage.

[Deleted User]

Michael23 wrote: »

I made an application for my 4-year-old daughter for DLA to help with some of the costs both me and her mum share together. I and my child's mum are separated and I have shared parental contact.

I received a call earlier from the children's DLA team who are querying why I as her father have made the application and not the child's mum. Equally why I've put my address forward instead of her mum's address (I did mention she resides primarily with mum) Also stated only one person can nominate themselves for payment (I know that part)

Is this even morally right that as a father I cannot even make an application for a benefit for my own daughter?

Michael23 wrote: »

The contact is pretty much 50/50 and the RP didn't feel like my daughter would qualify so I did the form.

Then it can't be 50/50 surely?