DLA for Autism/Learning difficulties

[IdaInFife]

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooo....

 

Back again for some encouragement advice.

 

As you will know from previous posts I am not Au Fait with benefit solutions

 

This time it for me no friends involved

 

My little munchkin will be 3 next month. She has been attending a child development center for nearly 1 year and attending under 3 nursery ( only given to kids who really need it in this area) for a few month. We have been granted funding and has a "play-friend" at nursery to "encourage" her.

 

We have been doing a round of mini appointments and assessments recently as she is being formally assessed for Autism next month and a group of health professionals will decided if she is on the Autism spectrum or has other learning difficulties etc etc etc

 

Now out of the 4 appointments this week 3 of the "professionals" asked if we were already claiming DLA.... we are not ...did not even cross my mind.....but have been advised to look at this.....

 

any advice on similar situations or applications please......would we be able to? Is it something we should be doing?...both me and Mr Ida work part-time and get tax credits.

 

I thank you

[Beatrice Bee]

Disability Living Allowance is for disabled people and you do not say if you or your partner are disabled.

You top up your income with tax credits or income support.

[IdaInFife]

Hi B B,

 

Neither me or Mr Ida is disabled.

[Beatrice Bee]

Then I do not know what these medical professionals are talking about. Clearly, they are not benefit advisers. Nor am I, but on JSA for quite a while.

You may get extra allowances if you have a disabled or learning difficulties child to help you with the extra costs but it does not sound like it's DLA.

 

What I normally do is put in my full question into google and read everything that comes up until I get clued up on the subject. There are forums and there are specific websites which are not only discussions and good ideas /suggestions but the law / policy itself. NHS website for health, legislation.gov.uk for law so when these government websites come up in your google search, they give the best answers.

 

With these online forums you get to see what issues other people have and may learn from it and thus avoid difficulties or hardship later on.

[Beatrice Bee]

I should have googled the question below before saying no to you because it is a yes.

"Can you get disability living allowance if your child has learning difficulties?"

Try it and sorry about the mistake.

[**Margaret**]

:IdaInFife:

 

#2 of this thread is irrelevant to your query.

 

New claims for disability living allowance can only be made on behalf of children under sixteen. If your munchkin needs more care than other rising threes, you and Mr Ida should definitely consider a claim for disability living allowance for her.

 

More info at;

 

http://www.autism.org.uk

(Can't get the right link to work, but look under; Benefits and community care.)

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

Edited January 18, 2014 by **Margaret**

[antone]

Yes, you can receive DLA on behalf of a child if the child has specific care or mobility needs. The "needs" part is important - it's not paid based on a diagnosis of a condition, but on any extra help your child needs with care or mobility, regardless of the specific cause of those needs.

 

So you would want to consider the things you and Mr Ida do for your child that you would not need to do for a "healthy*" child. This is the thing that makes it a bit trickier to complete the forms for a child, since obviously all parents have to assist their children to some extent, and so you would want to focus on what's different. I've heard people say that it can be useful to keep a diary of all the care you provide in order to help complete the DLA forms. It might be a good idea for you and Mr Ida to start doing this now, in case you decide to go ahead with an application.

 

*I hate phrasing it that way, but can't think of another way to get the concept across without resorting to neologisms like "neurotypical".

[antone]

Margaret, is this the page you were shooting for?

[antone]

I should have googled the question below before saying no to you because it is a yes.

"Can you get disability living allowance if your child has learning difficulties?"

Try it and sorry about the mistake.

 

That's it, yes - DLA is available to parents of children with care and mobility needs, and it's independent of other benefits such as WTC, CTC or income replacement benefits such as JSA or ESA.

 

It works under different rules than income replacement benefits, and has not yet been replaced by PIP for new claims in respect of those under 16.

[**Margaret**]

:antone:

Ideally, I was after the 'DLA for Children' halfway down that page.

Margaret.

[antone]

OK, let's try this then.

[**Margaret**]

:antone:

Yes, that's the one.

Thanx for your help, Margaret.

[estellyn]

Best to get someone experienced to assist with the DLA form, as Antone said it can be tricky, particularly for a younger child. If claiming DLA contact HMRC when you first request a claim form, to make a note on your CTC claim - that way, any disability elements that are due on the CTC claim can be backdated to the date of the DLA claim.

[IdaInFife]

Thank you all for the advice and links.

 

We get a " confirmed " diagnosis in a couple of weeks as to what they feel is the correct "issues" Its hard to write down but i think you will know what I mean.

 

This i will do that Antone, keep a diary for next couple of weeks and then make a claim one the assessment is complete.

[leigh04]

You can apply for dla now and not wait for a diagnosis, in one part of the form it says Is there any thing else you would like to tell us just state Possible Autism diagnosis in a couple of weeks.

 

I done this with my son who was 3 at the time and dla was granted hes been on dla now for 8 years now.

 

When you get a diagnosis just inform dla then.

 

I wouldnt wait to claim.

[Nystagmite]

If you know any parents of a child of the same age, it may be worth comparing them. You then write on the form how your 3 year old has more care needs. For example, at 3 years, most children are able to talk in sentences, whereas some Autistic children can't.

[IdaInFife]

Thanks Leigh will do then.

 

Nyst - yeah thats what am doing have a collegue who has kids exact same age which does help as it becomes normal for us but then when we speak thats where I can see the differences.

 

As you say munchkin in non verbal and lack of communcation skills which was horrendous but have to adapt and becomes the way of life

[IdaInFife]

Just to update that DLA claim has been received and being processed.

 

We have had the formal diagnosis and this has been sent with the IEP ( nursery/school programme) to the DWP.

 

The education officer has helped us with form as well as imputed on it.

 

Thanks all x

[**Margaret**]

:IdaInFife:

Here's hoping for a successful outcome so your munchkin can have the extra care she needs.

Margaret.

[IdaInFife]

Just to update:

 

Received a text last week to advised that munchkin has been awarded DLA and to await written confirmation.

[leigh04]

Just to update:

 

Received a text last week to advised that munchkin has been awarded DLA and to await written confirmation.

 

Glad to hear its been awarded.

[IdaInFife]

Thanks Leigh, cannot wait now to afford specialized car seat etc that we need but could not buy.

[bessie73]

Hi, That's really great news. Like your little one my son also has autism and associated learning difficulties, I am pleased that sense has prevailed it's a difficult and frustrating road you are on, prepare to stand up and fight for your little one. Always keep in mind that your little one deserves all the help and support you can get. There are many support groups, full of people who know exactly how you feel, I found them invaluable, especially on the bad days. Bx

[IdaInFife]

thanks Bessie