DLA - change of circumstances

coconutcurls

Hello

My daughter has been getting DLA since August, so the timeframe to ask for any amends  - appeal - challenge the decision is already gone.

However her condition worsened considerably this month of November. She now has a new diagnosis that was not taken into account in the DLA, is on the process of being transferred to a special school provision, the possibly of home tutoring and is likely to be hospitalised before Christmas if things don't improve.

How do I go on about updating DLA? Luckily I can work from home and take annual leave when she has her appointments but I am increasingly unable to leave the house and leave her on her own even though she is at an age that is completely normal to do so (15).

Do I call them and update verbally and send the paperwork later or have to go through the forms again? Asking here before wasting hours on the line and it is good to have some knowledge of the process before calling.

Thank you

poppy12345

You have 13 months to challenge the decision with good reason but they won't take into consideration a worsening of condition.

A worsening of condition must have been there for at least 3 months and expect to last at least a further 6 months. Having said that a worsening of condition doesn't automatically entitle her to a higher award.

What award does she currently have?

coconutcurls

poppy12345 said:

You have 13 months to challenge the decision with good reason but they won't take into consideration a worsening of condition.

A worsening of condition must have been there for at least 3 months and expect to last at least a further 6 months. Having said that a worsening of condition doesn't automatically entitle her to a higher award.

What award does she currently have?

Thank you for replying  - I understand.
I wasn't thinking about challenging the decision  - I suppose the decision was correct at the time when I applied in April - although she was awarded in August - but doing an update on their system because she most likely will need PIP at the beginning of her adult life and I just want her struggles to be on file. 

She has severe depression and anxiety, self harms, suicidal ideation, ASD and an eating disorder (reaching the point of hospitalisation I believe) she is already complaining of breathing difficulties and can't stand up for long or do much - her cognition is also declining. She attended school for half a day only at the beginning of the term in September and had a full blown panic attack even though she was at the special provision there, which made the school consider calling an ambulance if I didn't get there quick enough to collect her.

So, when I applied in April, the only thing she had was an EHCP for learning and emotional difficulties. 

coconutcurls

Oh she has middle rate personal care and lower rate getting around

Alice_Holt

What award* does she currently have -  IMO it is pointless notifying a C of C unless it should result in a different award.


* Low. Middle, or high.
i.e care needed at a particular time of the day.
Care needed throughout the day (or the night).
Care needed both night and day.

(PIP is a different benefit with different criteria)

coconutcurls

Alice_Holt said:

What award* does she currently have -  IMO it is pointless notifying a C of C unless it should result in a different award.


* Low. Middle, or high.
i.e care needed at a particular time of the day.
Care needed throughout the day (or the night).
Care needed both night and day.

(PIP is a different benefit with different criteria)

The care need increased so I will notify. She also has insomnia which means no sleeping pattern and I am on high alert 24/7

Alice_Holt

coconutcurls said:

Oh she has middle rate personal care and lower rate getting around

     Does she need care at night - (for more than 20 mins, or more than on 2/3 separate occasions)?

     Does she have physical difficulties getting around, that means she can only cover 20m before needing to stop, or does her behavioural difficulties (resulting from severe mental impairment) mean she effectively can't make progress when walking? 

https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-credits/disability-living-allowance/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/

Alice_Holt

coconutcurls said:

Alice_Holt said:

What award* does she currently have -  IMO it is pointless notifying a C of C unless it should result in a different award.


* Low. Middle, or high.
i.e care needed at a particular time of the day.
Care needed throughout the day (or the night).
Care needed both night and day.

(PIP is a different benefit with different criteria)

The care need increased so I will notify. She also has insomnia which means no sleeping pattern and I am on high alert 24/7

      What care needs does she now have at night, that she didn't before?

     Be aware that there is a very real risk in notifying a C of C as the award can stay the same, be increased, or be reduced (as the DWP DM interpreters the new info / form / evidence). 

poppy12345

coconutcurls said:

Alice_Holt said:

What award* does she currently have -  IMO it is pointless notifying a C of C unless it should result in a different award.


* Low. Middle, or high.
i.e care needed at a particular time of the day.
Care needed throughout the day (or the night).
Care needed both night and day.

(PIP is a different benefit with different criteria)

The care need increased so I will notify. She also has insomnia which means no sleeping pattern and I am on high alert 24/7

HIgh alert doesn't mean she needs care for the required length of time. Do you actually need to get up to see to her needs during the night? If so, how often?

coconutcurls

No - I don’t need to get up

Alice_Holt

 coconutcurls said:

No - I don’t need to get up

     Then the award will (at best) remain the same if you notify a C of C. 

 If you are concerned about a forthcoming PIP transfer, then you are much better to research PIP, carefully look at how your daughter's abilities and conditions fit around the PIP activities, descriptors, and points system. 
And start to gather medical (and other) evidence to support a PIP claim.

PIP is a very different benefit with completely different criteria to DLA.

If you are still minded to notify a C of C, I would strongly suggest you get guidance from your local advice charity before doing so.
I would be wary - since it is likely to involve the stress of completing a new DLA form, and then awaiting the outcome, etc all for an award which (hopefully) just remains the same.

Have you looked at the contact a family video I posted?

As asked before, can your daughter walk 20m?

I'd be grateful if you could answer any (unanswered) questions in my earlier posts, as it will inform any further information for you, that I may post.