DS has been awarded DLA!!!!

[BeautifulLiar]

I can't believe it. Feel like we don't "deserve" it as he's now 7 and we're so used to his needs that I just thought it was all kind of normal (he was only recently diagnosed with ASD, and is my first child and only boy, so I didn't really know what was going on).

I've enrolled him in swimming lessons which he's very excited about and also at Beavers which he doesn't yet know about! I'm also going to use the backdated lump sum on going on a Haven holiday. We couldn't afford these things before.

What does everyone else use their DLA for? :)

[BeautifulLiar]

Sorry meant to say he got MRC and LRM

[Schrodingersmum]

Congratulations, if you're eligible you now qualify for carers allowance too

We use for climbing club which helps DD's hypermobility

[BeautifulLiar]

Thanks Schrodinger. I think I'd be eligible for carers allowance as I don't work - would it reduce tax credits?

I've just realised this DLA could potentially help us loads. We're expecting baby no 4 but only have a 5 seater car so from March we'll be very limited in what we can do as a family. Would it be totally wrong to use some of the DLA to pay for a car on finance?

Mrbrown - luckily for me we have a fab SENCO teacher at school who has her own autistic children and claims DLA for them. She helped me to fill in the form. Feel free to PM for any more info :)

[BeautifulLiar]

Pay for a 7 seater on finance*

[AliceInUnderpants]

Not at all wrong to use towards a car. We couldn't run a car without DLA and the car is a necessity for us because of DD's needs.

Let Tax Credits know that you are in receipt of DLA, ours went up!

[chocadd1ct]

OP, Carer's allowance would probably reduce your tax credits a bit but the gains from carers allowance will be bigger than what you loose in r
tax credits.

and let tax credits that DS receives Dla now. there is aa tax credit disability element and getting DLA will probably increase your tax credits

[BeautifulLiar]

Ok i feel less guilty now Alice!

The car we have now was bought as a gift four years ago. We'd never be able to afford something on finance without this.

Do you mind telling me how much your TCs went up by? Or is it dependant on income? I did ring them and they said they will let me know what is happening

[AliceInUnderpants]

We get lrm and mrc for one and I'm sure the TC went up about £50 a week

[BeautifulLiar]

Thank you. DH now earns about £27,000 ish so I'm not sure if ours would go up by that much?

[chocadd1ct]

really depend. income, number of children, childcare costs etc.

you can have a play with the tax credit calculator and see if/how much the figures change.

[BeautifulLiar]

Thank you choc, good idea

[Fourarmsv2]

I was about to post the same thing!

Applied on the 11th. Turned down with no reason given. Asked for reconsideration. Got MRC.

Absolutely shocked.

DS2 is 9. It was all continence based for us. Can buy him new mattresses as required now and pay for an EP assessment :) :) :)

[BeautifulLiar]

Congratulations fourarms :)

I couldn't believe the quick turnaround - I posted the form on November 6th and they sent the award letter on November 18th!

[Fourarmsv2]

Me either, considering last week it was a no! Was expecting an epic battle. Awarded for two years as well :)

[BeautifulLiar]

Same! Sorry how do you know it's for two years?

[Fourarmsv2]

There's a bit in the letter saying when it expires. It was a reconsideration letter so they justified their reasons. The award letter will follow separately.

It's quite a useful document as it lists his issues.

[Sirzy]

The letter should say how long the award is for.

I have just used some of Ds DLA money I have been saving to buy him an iPad - Black Friday is great - because he uses mine so much and gets so much from it.

[BeautifulLiar]

Sirzy - Ds used to like using my ipad before it broke. But I don't like the idea of him constantly playing games etc - or do you just get educational ones?

The letter says something about 28/02/2025... but surely it can't be for ten years?!

[Fourarmsv2]

Is he 6 now? Might be until he turns 16. DS2's condition may improve hence limited time.

[BeautifulLiar]

He turned 7 in August, so yes it's until he's 16.5... but your DS is 9? Is there much difference?!

[Sirzy]

He mainly likes looking at maps on it and then I have some educational apps and some calming type ones. He isn't interested in gaming yet!

Sounds like it is until he turns 16!

[BeautifulLiar]

Wow, feel quite lucky tbh. Could kick myself though, my hairdresser has been saying for years about a client of hers who claims DLA for her son with autism and I didn't believe her!

Sirzy DS is terrible with games, I've had to take some off him!

[Fourarmsv2]

DS1 had a similar condition - could have claimed for him but didn't.

Actually wasn't worried about money - for me it was the recognition surrounding the award. Hence complete disbelief that they awarded middle rate.

[BeautifulLiar]

I was going to say that earlier; it's recognition that they do have additional needs that's such a blessing :)