UPDATE - First time DLA application help

lisastevo

Hi. I’m new to this section of the forum.
I am currently filling out the DLA application form for my 6 year old son with ADHD and highly suspected ASD (awaiting assessment - Covid Delay) I think I have completed all the relevant sections but I am now getting together all the relevant clinic reports and evidence. His ASD clinics are dated late 2019 and I have nothing more recent to send as he hasn’t seen anyone else. Will this be a problem? Also the clinic reports are lengthy, should I be highlighting relevant sections or just leave it be? I don’t want to screw this form up and potentially mess up a due award for him. I only found out about DLA upon diagnosis of ADHD and since researched and could’ve applied sooner because his extra care is has been so high since he was 3.

Any further advice or stories of success about making a successful claim also much appreciated. 

Many thanks

poppy12345

You should send the evidence you have, regardless of when it's dated. Yes, highlighting the significant areas in the reports can be usefull, especially when the reports are long. I did exactly this for my daughters first PIP claim.

When filling out the form you should also add a couple of recent real world examples of what happened the last time he attempted that activity for each question that applies to him.

This link may also help.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/help-with-your-dla-claim/help-with-dla-form/

lisastevo

Update - I have been successful and received middle rate care component for my son which we are happy with but he wasn’t awarded the mobility component. I know he doesn’t meet the qualifying criteria for high rate mobility but he definitely does for lower rate mobility. I have received the statement of reasons from the decision maker and think I should do an MR. I have received a risk assessment from school stating he needs 1-1 supervision when outside and also a supporting letter from his paediatrician but I am so worried about submitting it because I have been told it can potentially affect the care award for the worse as well. We aren’t debating the care only the mobility element. I really don’t know what to do.

poppy12345

When requesting the MR the decision could stay the same, be awarded a higher award or lose what you already have. The most likely outcome will be the decision will stay the same but there's no guarantee of that. Before doing anything else you need to get some expert advice from an agency near you. https://advicelocal.uk/

poppy12345

Coming back to this, there's some information here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/before-you-claim-dla/claiming-dla/

Please take note of this..

The lower rate is usually given to children who can walk but have difficulty getting around places that they don’t know very well. You’ll get the lower rate of £23.70 if your child is 5 or over and both the following apply:

• they need someone with them to guide or supervise them on unfamiliar routes (for example, getting somewhere they’ve never been before would be an unfamiliar route, but walking to school the same way every day would be a familiar route)
• they need more help getting around than a child of the same age who isn't disabled or doesn’t have a health condition