DLA for child turning 16

[AndreaMc]

Hi everyone, hoping for some preemptive advice.

 

My 15 year old son is Autistic, Dyspraxic with associated conditions. He has been in receipt of DLA HRC and LRM for 10 years. We have received the new adult form as he turns 16 in August. I have original dx letters and reports from 2008 (no reports since, but he still has OT and S&LT weekly, within his special school as set out in his SEN and also outside of school.), and letters from the school sen nurse, his OT and hopefully, the S&LT. He has a current Statement which outlines his difficulties and is in depth. Our GP is aware of his condition and care needs and will respond stating these, if asked.

 

My son is very bright educationally, he has an amazing vocab and has self taught guitar and drums. It's his social skills, sense of danger, road sense and poor sleeping pattern that set him apart from his peers. He cannot leave the house independently (and indeed prefers not to go out at all) and still needs help with many things, due to poor fine motor control. I have to cut his food, tie laces and wash his hair etc.

 

I have filled in the form very thoroughly, despite not being familiar with the adult form and I am asking to be his appointee due to him not having any idea about money, and also not being able to write adequately to fill in forms etc. He is happy for me to continue doing this when he turns 16. I also have a letter from the OT confirming his lack of knowledge regarding these areas.

 

My main worry is that with all of the changes, his claim will be refused. It's not so much the loss of the extra money that worries me, rather, what will happen to him if they decide he is no longer eligible? If I am no longer receiving a carer's allowance, I will have no choice but to find work (his father is deceased.) and I am so scared for his safety if that happens. Just because they may decide he does not need that supervision, it will not mean that he actually doesn't. What if he leaves the house and gets hit by a car, gets lost, or gets bullied etc? I am literally terrified. He is due to leave his special school this year and start at college with learning support in September. The college is 4 miles from our house and he has to travel across the city to get there.

 

I have already decided that I would of course appeal, and that has made me feel a little better, but I just had another worry pop up.. Would I be able to appeal at the tribunal on his behalf or would they expect him to do it? He just wouldn't be able to cope in that setting. I hadn't even considered that, so now i'm unsure if an appeal would even be an option.

 

Does anyone have any advice for me please?

[dx100uk]

I know someone with a like daughter.

 

all we did was to fill out the form as best we could

included a copy of the latest statement [from the SEN school etc]

and she flew through.

 

you might also wish to have a browse of the special needs forum.

 

dx

[AndreaMc]

Hi dx.

 

I know that I have enough info and I have the therapists etc to back me up but with all of the horror stories about amputees etc being declined, it's not going to be as straightforward as previous occasions. My main concern is that he is refused (unfairly) and that an appeal will be impossible if I can't represent him.

 

I'll have a look in the special needs section now, thanks.

[AndreaMc]

Is there any way to move my thread to the special needs section? It looks like it'd be more appropriate over there.

[antone]

I've moved the thread for you. Hope you get some useful advice.

[AndreaMc]

Can anyone help with my last question? If DLA isn't renewed, will they still make me an appointee? That's the only way i'll be able to represent him at tribunal. Thanks.

[AndreaMc]

Anyone have any info please?

[AndreaMc]

Hi everyone. I posted this in special needs but still need help with my last question, so as it's relevant, I thought i'd try here again.

 

OP**"My 15 year old son is Autistic, Dyspraxic with associated conditions. He has been in receipt of DLA HRC and LRM for 10 years. We have received the new adult form as he turns 16 in August. I have original dx letters and reports from 2008 (no reports since, but he still has OT and S&LT weekly, within his special school. He has a current Statement which outlines his difficulties and is in depth. Our GP is aware of his condition and care needs and will respond stating these, if asked.

 

My son is very bright educationally, he has an amazing vocab and has self taught guitar and drums. It's his social skills, sense of danger, road sense and poor sleeping pattern that set him apart from his peers. He cannot leave the house independently (and indeed prefers not to go out at all) and still needs help with many things, due to poor fine motor control. I have to cut his food, tie laces and wash his hair etc.

 

I have filled in the form very thoroughly, despite not being familiar with the adult form and I am asking to be his appointee due to him not having any idea about money, and also not being able to write adequately to fill in forms etc. He is happy for me to continue doing this when he turns 16.

 

My main worry is that with all of the changes, his claim will be refused. It's not so much the loss of the extra money that worries me, rather, what will happen to him if they decide he is no longer eligible? If I am no longer receiving a carer's allowance, I will have no choice but to find work (his father is deceased.) and I am so scared for his safety if that happens. Just because they may decide he does not need that supervision, it will not mean that he actually doesn't. What if he leaves the house and gets hit by a car, gets lost, or gets bullied etc? I am literally terrified. He is due to leave his special school this year and start at college with learning support in September. The college is 4 miles from our house and he has to travel across the city to get there.

 

I have already decided that I would of course appeal, and that has made me feel a little better, but I just had another worry pop up.. Would I be able to appeal at the tribunal on his behalf or would they expect him to do it? He just wouldn't be able to cope in that setting. I hadn't even considered that, so now i'm unsure if an appeal would even be an option.

 

Does anyone have any advice for me please?"

 

I think we have enough info to support his claim, ie recent statement outlining needs and therapies in place at his special school, a letter from his keyworker and form tutor confirming care and supervision needs, the specialist school nurse has written confirming his needs are over and above children of his age, and I supplied details of OT and S&Lt if they need to contact them. It's just with all of the horror stories about amputees etc being declined, i'm worried it's not going to be as straightforward as previous occasions. My main concern is that he is refused (unfairly) and that an appeal will be impossible if I can't represent him.

 

**2nd and most important question...If his DLA isn't renewed, will they still make me an appointee? That's the only way i'll be able to represent him at tribunal. Thanks.

[lucksic]

You need to apply to be an appointee follow this link

https://www.gov.uk/become-appointee-for-someone-claiming-benefits

[id6052]

Even if you were not his appointee for benefit purposes, you can still act as his representative for appeal purposes.

 

The difference would be that: -

 

1. if you are the appointee, you would sign the appeal acting as his appointee
   
2. if you were not the appointee, your son would have to sign the appeal stating that he wishes you to act as his representative.
   

[AndreaMc]

That's good news, i'll just wait for the outcome and act if needed. Thanks.