DLA reconsideration appeal for child help please

This is a helpful guide:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-dla-appeal

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/

I'd tend to see if your local advice agency / CAB can help with the appeal.
This organisation may be able to help:
https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/

Bear in mind the deadlines for the MR.
Do you know if the DWP contacted the health professionals you named on the DLA for medical reports?

Sending supportive reports from the school is helpful.
I'd would tend to document and illustrate the care your child needs on the MR
(The Advice Now guide has a good section on what to put in a mandatory request letter).

For night time high needs - frequent is 3 or more times; prolonged is more than 20 mins (a night).
Explain why care is needed throughout the day, and why this is in excess of the needs of other children of the same age. Etc,etc.


To receive High Rate mobility - "the child must be virtually unable to walk". The test is whether their physical ability to walk out of doors is so limited (as regards distance, speed, length of time, & manner) that they are virtually unable to walk without experiencing severe discomfort.
So explain this on the MR.

Have another family member / friend / etc confirm this. It would be good if the school could also confirm day time care needs and mobility issues.

Be aware that only a small % of MR's succeed and it is likely you will need to proceed to appeal.

dylan05021986 wrote: »

What about regarding letter our GP gave us a letter but it only confirms her diagnoses, what the letters should contain and which is best to get, (physiotherapy, OT, school, consultant)

Thanks
Dylan

All of the above if you can get them, plus what Alice suggested about family/friends/school confirming the care/mobility needs. Only 19% of MR decisions change so you'll most likely be taking it to Tribunal.

The best letters are likely to be from health care / education professionals who are aware of the DLA eligibility criteria and can relate the child's conditions / needs to these criteria.

I would have thought an OT would be able to do this, probably SENCO as well. They would presumably know why you are asking for evidence, and may be able to write a useful letter explaining the care needs of your child.

If you get to tribunal, the GP's letter is helpful as the GP on the panel will be more likely to be able to link your child's diagnosis with the DLA criteria than a DWP DM. (But send it at MR stage anyway as poppy & calcotti have advised).

I still feel that the MR should detail on the help provided by the family.

A child can also be awarded high rate mobility on the basis on learning difficulties - if that prevents the child from making progress without constant interventions due to disruptive behaviours. There has to be a physical cause (eg brain damage); a GP's letter might be useful should this apply, in confirming the physical cause.
For a 4 year old to get High rate Mob - they will also need to have an award of high rate care (I seem to recall).
It is complicated, and welfare rights advice is helpful for you to focus the argument on the relevant points.

Do you know if the DWP contacted the health professionals you named on the DLA for medical reports?
They should use these when coming to a decision, but sometimes don't.
If they didn't and you then provide evidence from those HCP's supporting a high rate award, then the DWP have a very, very weak case.

Did you get help with the DLA form?

That should read contractures !!!! Not contra tyres!! Sorry