Got Middle Rate DLA first time of applying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nikos]

After the day from hell with ds yesterday (see other thread re aggression), got a letter this morning to say we have got middle rate. Only applied 9 weeks ago and was sure we would have to appeal.
Wanted to share this to give other people hope to apply.

[cyberseraphim]

It's not one upmanship but we got DLA at middle rate within 2 weeks of applying !

[nikos]

Its good to hear positive stories, helps people who are just thinking of applying

[dustystar]

Thats great nikos. You can apply for carers allowance now.

[misscutandstick]

Im also NOT doing one-up, but when i originally applied with DS1, although it took 14wks, we were granted high rate care first time too. It is so worth the hassle and the upset it causes.

DO you know what? i also found that although its absolutely not financial 'compensation' but it felt like that actually i wasnt being mardy and self pitying, but things really were that hard and difficult as a parent of an SN child who 'looked' like a typical child, and it was being acknowledged.

sorry to tangent - just wanted to express that feeling to those who feel they shouldnt apply, because their children dont have an obvious physical difficulty.

[dustystar]

It can also increase the amount of tax credits you get.

[misscutandstick]

ooops, really sorry, forgot to say CONGRATS!

[nikos]

Don't think I'm entitiled to carers as work 2 days and make more than £90. Love my job as well as can just be me so don't want to give it up.
I agree with you totally misscut. I'm often on my own with 3 children as dh works away a lot and I'm going to use some of it for help in the house so I dont feel such a burden of so much to do and all of it for other people IYKWIM It will also free me up to spend more floortime with ds

[Marne]

Well done nikos, we are still waiting for dd1's to come through, they phoned to say they needed to speek to her school and the hospital so may take a while (we have been waiting for 3-4 weeks i think).

[Sidge]

That's great news!

Check with the Carers Allowance unit anyway even though you work - the threshold is now £95 a week after certain deductions and allowances, I have gone back to work but am still eligible for some CA (though not the full amount).

Every penny comes in handy!

[dustystar]

I think with CA you may still be entitled to some money even if you do earn more than the threshold. Also inform the tax credits office about your ds getting middle rate care as unless you already have too high a household income you will get more money.

[mumgoingcrazy]

I know I'm jumping onto someone elses thread but, can you claim DLA if your DC doesn't have a dx yet? We currently don't claim for anything and just wondering if we might be entitled to something.

Sorry for barging in!!

[dustystar]

Yes you can. Ds first got awarded middle rate care 4 years ago - he only got a dx this august. If you decide to apply I recommend you use the guides on the Cerebra website as i found them invaluable.

[mumgoingcrazy]

Thanks dustystar, just downloaded guides so we'll see how we get on. xx

[nikos]

Offically ds doesnt have a dx yet, still worth applying. I still put autism down on the form and I dont think his paed would quibble with that.

[bullet123]

Ds1 gets middle rate care at the moment. I'm now putting in a claim for low rate mobility, which means that everything gets looked at again, so rather worrying.