reapplying for DLA

[Tensing]

We were awarded loer rate care allowance for my son back in March.

 

He has since got a diagnosis and I feel he waould/may now be awarded a higher rate, but I am unsure how to go about reapplying. Any advice would be great, thanks in advance.

 

Caroline

[BuntyB]

Hi,

Officially a diagnosis shouldn't make a difference as the DLA is awarded on the amount of care that your child needs over and above that of a 'normal' child.

 

Lower rate is about an hour's extra help. To get Middle Rate, your child should need 'frequent attention throughout the day' or 'constant supervision'. Have a think about what help your child needs and jot it down. Why is the help/supervision needed. What would happen if you didn't help? Write down how frequently and how long you need to help.

 

You need to phone DBU and tell them there has been a 'change in circumstances'. You now have a diagnosis, and could say you have a greater awareness of your child's needs. They will take the details from you and will probably send you another form. Make sure you spell out in graphic detail what help your child needs.

 

Good luck!

[baddad]

Hi Tensing:

Shona's hit the nail on the head: It's a matter of spelling out exactly HOW asd effects support needs, because the people at the other end are using a 'points system' rather than having any first hand knowledge... If you don't say the right things the right way, the points system overlooks the wider implications...

The following links have downloadable guidelines for completing DLA forms, putting the questions into a more 'ASD' friendly context ...

 

http://www.autismlondon.org.uk/

http://www.cerebra.org.uk/

 

Hope they're useful

L&P

BD

[Tensing]

The thing is when I filled his form in before he was 4 and I wrote things such as needs help with dressing and doing up buttons etc. The lady from the DLA phoned and said "that that wasn't unusual for a child his age her grandson couldn't do his buttons either and he was 6".

Henry has since had has his motor skills assessed and he is on the 6th percentile for his age, so obviously does struggle more with simple tasks thanthe avaerage 5 yer old.

Alot of problems have also come out now he is at school, it is more obvious, as I protected from a lot of things that subconciously I did things for him and protected him from situations.

[nellie]

Caroline,

 

Shona and Baddad have given you great advice.

 

Have a look at this forum link it has a very helpful posting by mbrown on May 11 2004.

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=119

 

This one gives a great DLA guide for children. http://www.bhas.org.uk/freeguides/dla_guides.shtml

 

NAS on DLA

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=108&a=3330

 

Good luck

 

Nellie xx

[lil_me]

I agree with the advice given, it depends what needs your son has, the worst thing they can do is remove the lower care rate you have, of course you can appeal, but thats the worst case scenario. If you believe his needs meet the criteria for middle or higher rate then its probably worth while.

 

Also if you applied when he was 4, most cases don't get considered for the motability rate under 5 unless they can not walk at all. So if he has difficulties out doors then you may qualify for motability component.

 

They do need to know about the diagnosis, well thats what they told me.

Edited August 30, 2005 by lil_me

[Tensing]

When I filled in Henry's original Paperwork he was 4, and the only diagnosis he had was his unilateral hearing loss and bladder and bowel control problems. He also had all his "oddities", but he had not even been reffered for assessment so they were just that "oddities and difficulties".

 

He has since had a diagnosis of Asperger's, Attention defiencency, and Fine and Gross Motor skills problems (he is on the 6th percentile).

 

I phoned them today and they are sending me out the forms to fill in again.