First time DLA claim for 15 year old DS :S

[Carrera74]

Hi everyone

I haven't been on for a while. My DS has been at the school we fought long and hard for and is now in year 11. He has settled so well and is doing really well. The fight was worthwhile albeit very stressful.

He was diagnosed in year 6 but I have never applied for DLA. I have requested the forms numerous times but haven't known where to start and to be honest I didn't want a stranger knowing my son's health problems inside and out so never asked for help from Citizens Advice etc. Silly I know but he's a good lad and I hate people judging him and me which unfortunately they do!

Anyway the form is in front of me and I'm going to give it my best shot. He turns 16 in July and I figured if I found it hard to fill this form in he's got no chance so thought if I can complete it for him it may help him when he comes to apply as an adult (not that I think he'll be able to come July!!).

I have only just realised that the claim for DLA for adults is changing this year so not sure whether my claim will be knocked back immediately as I believe it can take months for them to process it but I'm going to apply anyway and go from there.

I just wondered if anyone has applied so late after diagnosis. I have a lot of paperwork from his statement, reviews etc so will put all these in but he isn't under a Consultant anymore. He was discharged from CAMHS about 12 months after starting at his new school as we have been able to manage his anxiety so much better (apart from the odd huge blip!).

I am going to use this thread as a diary for myself and to vent when I start turning the pages. It's already starting to stress me out. Why is nothing ever easy?!!

I've got a copy of the Cerebra guide which is helping me but confusing me at the same time :S I'm also reading through links on here including the pinned ones. So much to read. Wish my brain would soak it all up!!

I'd be really grateful for any pointers with what to attach to the form or any words of encouragement. I think I am going to need them!!!

[Special_talent123]

I believe claims being taken this year will be PIP claims. can you get social worker, or even autistic society to help you? The only issue is not being under any person because that is what DLA is for , the care side? So i am unsure what your case will be. But good luck

[Carrera74]

Hi there

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

I didn't realise you had to be under the care of someone to be entitled to DLA. My DS has been under CaMHS etc from the age of 3 up to his second term at his ASD specific school. It's an independant school and they have their own CAMHS etc on site so seemed silly going to NHS one too when they are already so overstretched. Maybe I'm wasting my time filling this in for him then? All his peers claim DLA but I have put it off for goodness knows how many years. I was under the impression that if their disability affects them so that they are not at the same level as an average 15 year old then he may be entitled to extra financial support. He starts college (hopefully) in September and he will need extra support just to get there. He's not able to just jump on a bus and know where to get off unless we do the journey with him at least 4 or 5 times. He needs this sort of support in all new things so college is going to be a huge thing for him and no doubt his anxieties are going to rise again. I had hoped that anything he may get via DLA would help for costs towards a bus pass and perhaps a laptop or something so if he needs to learn from home on bad days he is able.

 

Can anyone advise if I am wasting my time. This form is so stressful as it is :S

[Special_talent123]

well u can claim it if he is being supported with his care/mobility. http://www.dwp.gov.u...ving-allowance/

 

Not good at explaining very well. The bus issue is something can be in form as well.

He may qualify a free bus pass, does he have a social worker to register him as disabled card- i had one to get a free bus pass but it cannot be used until 9:30am-11pm except weekends is anytime

Edited January 6, 2013 by Special_talent123

[Carrera74]

No he doesn't have a social worker. We have managed his ASD with just the support from school since CAMHS discharged him. CAMHS were so helpful whilst we were fighting the LA for a decent school. They supported us fantastically but he was struggling with his mental health as his day to day routine was non existant and the environment wasn't right for him. As soon as the school environment was right he calmed down and we were able to manage (mostly) his behaviour but we are always on the look out for blips. He doesn't realise when he is getting anxious or stressed. He just flips so we help him to calm down or take his mind off whatever is winding him up before world war 3 starts. I dread to think how he will be when he leaves the stability of his routine at school but will cross that bridge when we come to it Not sure the bus pass would help then as he only will use it for home to college. He struggles with public transport - I say struggle, he generally refuses but he will go on a journey if he doesn't have to discuss anything with the driver - flashing a pass is fine as long as he knows the journey (has practiced it with us a fair few times).

 

Thanks for your input. It helps.

[justine1]

I thought direct payment is to pay for someone to help with day to day care? My understanding is that DLA is a "top up" for the care, as direct payments does not cover everything. DLA can be used for leisure activities to help a person regarding their disability,not sure about adults,but I know plenty of parents who use it for swimming lessons(for hypermobility) or horseriding for the calming effect...just as examples.

It can also be used for taxi,if he is not confident using a bus,even if it is just to travel one way and bus the other. I use DLA for taxi's as I do not drive and I have one "runner" and one with hypermobility.

 

I really think its worthwhile applying. If he has been at such a supportive school its going to be a real struggle dealing with day to day living and I am certian the school will agree. They are likely to contact the school and other professionals involved so I think you have a good case.

[Special_talent123]

I thought direct payment is to pay for someone to help with day to day care? My understanding is that DLA is a "top up" for the care, as direct payments does not cover everything. DLA can be used for leisure activities to help a person regarding their disability,not sure about adults,but I know plenty of parents who use it for swimming lessons(for hypermobility) or horseriding for the calming effect...just as examples.

It can also be used for taxi,if he is not confident using a bus,even if it is just to travel one way and bus the other. I use DLA for taxi's as I do not drive and I have one "runner" and one with hypermobility.

 

I really think its worthwhile applying. If he has been at such a supportive school its going to be a real struggle dealing with day to day living and I am certian the school will agree. They are likely to contact the school and other professionals involved so I think you have a good case.

 

You only qualify for direct payments if you have a social worker. This is what I know myself personally of receiving them. I lost social worker and then lost direct payments of result.

 

Social services after long and hard to find out.... DLA pays for the care, but the direct payments is the top up

Edited January 6, 2013 by Special_talent123

[justine1]

Yes I know you need a social worker for direct payments. What I am saying is you do not need to prove someone is caring for you in order to get DLA you just need to show what extras you need because of the disability.

[Special_talent123]

but the professionals have to sign the form too did u know. what professionals u put on the form they have to sign form too

[justine1]

Yes but as I said in my other post they get the information from the school and professionals....which the OP's son sees at school which is fine.

 

My sons school wrote two pages as supporting evidence for his DLA.

 

The OP has nothing to lose by applying especially as her son will soon not have the support he thrives on.

[Carrera74]

Thanks for the replies

 

I am at a loss as to who to use for Part 33 (child hospital doctor or specialist). He doesn't see anyone anymore apart from those at school. Our link worker at CAMHS would help I am sure but we haven't seen her since being discharged (Dec 2010) and it says in the last 12 months. Now kicking myself for not applying sooner!

[trekster]

put the school professionals down. what does the cerebral guide advise? also check out the nas website on benefits they can advise about keeping a diary. remember to put down what would happen if there was a problem and he was on his own.

[Carrera74]

I contacted school and they said he doesn't see anyone specifically at school. He was supposed to see the CAMHS counsellor but he point blank refused. School suggested that I put down that he has been seen by various professionals as per his statement and I am going to send a copy of that.

 

I sent the form off on Tuesday. It was quite an eye opener to realise how much we actually do for him and how much we are watching out for his anxieties displaying (constant!). It was also obvious that all the strategies that the professionals put in place do actually work. It's amazing how much we put these strategies into day to day living - it's just the norm for us but if we didn't, then he would be a whole different unsettled person.

 

Now we have the fight against the LEA to get him funded for another year at his school. Grrrr!!

[trekster]

You could say that due to your sons autism he is prevented from seeing anyone new including CAHMS that's if you need to appeal or if they ask wqhy he cant attend cahms

[Carrera74]

Hi everyone. Just an update. I received a letter on Friday to say I was the appointee for my son and received a letter yesterday to say that he has been awarded HRC and LRM. I am absolutely shocked. I put on the form what needs he has but receiving the letter back to say what he is entitled to has thrown me. I know his ASD makes him different but he's just my DS and it's normal for him. It just feels a bit weird having it confirmed this way that he is indeed different to his peers and we do a lot for him. He has got the award until January 2014 (he's 16 in July). I am so glad I persevered this time and completed the forms.

[trekster]

Really pleased you have been awarded DLA. Now you can try and claim carers allowance for your son and council tax rebates.

[Sally44]

I really would advise you to get help filling in the form. It is not obvious what information they are after.

 

I've just had my son's DLA re-assessed. This was because he deteriorated alot 2-3 years ago, and his care and mobility needs were significantly increased from when we first claimed DLA when he was about 6-7 years old.

 

I included all he correspondence with all the professionals [eventhough some of it was now a year old]. I just stated that his needs and difficulties remained the same.

 

Regarding mobility I said that although my son could walk he was not mobile. I had letters that detailed his Anxiety Disorder and OCD fears of contamination and how he repeatedly washed and changed his clothes, or wore no clothes at all. That he used pieces of tissues and towels as stepping stones within the house so as not to contaminate himself. That he refused to walk on pavements or go on public transport. That he often got extremely upset and would run off or attempt to hurt himself when distressed. How we might need to remove him from somewhere immediately and take him home. How he would not cope with waiting if he felt he was contaminated and how he would just strip off etc. That we needed a whole list of things with us when we went out ie. complete change of clothes, wipes, hand gel, etc. That we had to provide a door to door car service etc. I was pleased when they awarded him the higher rate for both care and mobility. It means we can use part of the mobility element to get a new car if/when we need one.

 

So do think everything through about how it affects your son.

 

Regarding care - can he do all the self care things he needs to do for a child his age. Could you send him to the shops for something? Could he help around the house? Could he cook or make himself something to eat and drink without possible danger. My son, for example, can do things under supervision. But he is very clumsy and often spills and drops things which might include a glass or using hot water. He cannot read and so he might try to eat or drink something that was a chemical.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Sally44

[Carrera74]

I don't think I will be entitled to any other benefits as I work full time as does my husband. We don't even get Child Tax Credits but I am going to apply for that again on the off chance that we can get it again.

 

Sally44 - I'm not sure if you saw my update. My son has been awarded HRC and LRM. I didn't think he would get this rate at all but I did fill the forms in as accurately and detailed as the 150 characters allowed

[Sally44]

If you apply for child tax credits, tell them you have a disabled child [you have to term it that way].

 

Regarding LRM, I would think about that and see if you can gather further evidence to get that increased. If he has HRC, I think the reasons he has the high rate care would also reflect on his 'mobility'. For example, if he needs such high rate care, he will not be independently mobile. He won't be able to go out on his own, cross roads, go shopping, get on public transport etc. He may get very anxious, run away, have a panic attack, he may sit/lie down and refuse to walk, he might hit you or someone else if panicking etc.

 

But glad to here you did get DLA. And you can send in supporting reports/documentation. They often contact the school or another professional, so it is useful to tell those people that DLA may contact them for information about your son.