**DLA** Oh my goodness SMUG is actually crying - happy crying this time!!!

[smugtandemfeeder]

Just had a phone call from DLA saying they have reassessed the information I sent in and have awarded him high rate care. Oh my bloody goodness. After all that stress and exhaustion and threads on here and set backs and telling me he wasnt entitled to DLA they have given him the highest rate. All for a three year old without a diagnosis.

So the social worker can shove it when she says my son does not have a disability - he has the highest rate of care needs.

I am in shock. I really expected middle rate without a diagnosis, and wasnt sure I would get that even as quite a lot of people here said how hard it would be to prove, even though I know how hard our lives are. Even the contact a family people thought I would get middle rate. Its only a 1 year award but that is good enough for me for now. I couldnt expect more.

So shocked!!!! Very very happy. This will make our live much much better and easier to survive.

Now off to try and get carers allowance backdated and call tax credits.......

[AlysWho]

Yey! Good for you, am very pleased for you. Treat yourself to some me-time ok? x

[AryaStark]

Fantastic! Well done

[IndigoBell]

Well done.

Can you now apply for carers allowance?

[smugtandemfeeder]

Yes we can apply for carers allowance and if we get it they will also backdate it to the date we applied for DLA. Im still shocked but so happy.

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

Woohoo! I'm so pleased for you

[smugtandemfeeder]

It changes everything. In my head it changes everything. I can now ask for support services and not get automatically thrown back. I can now order the things we need for DS without worrying. I can rebook his OT session. Oh wow. So relieved.

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

It validates things doesn't it. It formalises that someone agrees that what you have been saying is true and your child does have a disability.

I felt the same and I hadn't gone through everything that you have.

I really was hoping that it was you when I saw the thread title :)

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

Are you going to buy a brown leather settee with the backpay

[smugtandemfeeder]

DLA backdated to May 10th. I have actually been working on this daily since that date!

I have earned this

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

I like a lot

[smugtandemfeeder]

And where's that Lougle when I need her to see a thread

Lougle Lougle Lougle See what I did!

[coff33pot]

I am sooooooooo pleased for you!!

[smugtandemfeeder]

Thank you thank you thank you coff33pot.

Ive spent so much time on here rambling away but th advice I have had from you all has helped me get this so thank you everyone.

[smugtandemfeeder]

They didnt even write to the shrink in the end. I sent in the most recent letter from him a few days ago. Just shoved it in an envelope. It was the letter which said DS was aggressive and self centred towards his sister. Anyway they rang as soon as they got the letter and said they didnt need to speak to shrink any more and read the letter I sent in and awarded high rate care. Amazing.

I have PM'd Lougle. Im not sure she would be that excited to require a phonecall but if you want to then please do!! I just remember Lougle saying I probably wouldnt get it so I want her to see how my hard work has paid off. Yippee!!!!!!!!

[Lougle]

Hi smug, and very huge congratulations. I am glad that you've been able to persuade the DWP of your DS' care needs.

The last few months have been quite critical for you, because as your DS has been exposed to other influences outside the home, you have been able to demonstrate that it isn't just a 'home' problem, which is vital.

Not to be the voice of doom, but don't expect SS to say 'Ooops sorry, got that wrong, he really is disabled and we'll help you immediately'. DLA is not proof that your DS is disabled in their eyes (although it certainly helps!).

Certainly, at 3.6, despite DD1 having 1:1 at preschool and being awarded HRC by DWP, she was not deemed 'disabled' for the Children with Disabilities team. Having said that, now, at 5.8 she has been accepted onto their team.

That isn't to put you off, but just to say 'don't rest easy, don't assume the fight is over. Forewarned is forearmed!

Well done you for co-operating with the professionals that you thought wouldn't help, because it is that which has got you through this, alongside lots of hard work with writing your appeal!

[Lougle]

Oh! By the way...if you suddenly find yourself crying with absolute despair that your child really does need the help you've said he does, that is totally and utterly normal. I think around 90% of parents must feel 'it really is that bad!' when they get awarded DLA.

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

I agree with your last post Lougle

[auntevil]

Smug - please carry around a copy of the reward letter and every time you see anyone who was a pain in the and hindered you - wave it in their face
Well done for all your hard work - i love the sofa btw. Any chance of a permanent cleaner on your new budget as well!

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Brilliant news.

[signandsmile]

that is fabbily fab news,

[VeraCanSignChocolateAndWine]

Fab news! Tax credits will also backdate up to 3 months.

[Chundle]

Well done smug! My 2 yr old gets high rate without a dx despite pyschologist saying it's my parenting!