DLA query ??

[piffle]

HV just visited to weigh and measure dd (Noonan Syndrome 29mths) and asked us whether we had applied for DLA
I just replied huh? what is that? Who is that for?
She seemed very sure that due to dd's multitude of hospital appts, the extra care that I have to stay at home to provide, would qualify us.
I assumed dd wasn't "disabled" enough but HV seems very confident I should apply.
I feel a bit of a heel really
Does anyone get it and what for?
HV was saying soemthing about a carers component as we prob would not be able to claim for mobility due to dd's age.
??? Willing to be enlightened

[coppertop]

You can get DLA if your child requires more help/supervision than other children of the same age.

There is the care component which you can get at any age. The mobility component is usually for 5yrs+ unless the child is physically unable to walk or there are huge difficulties.

We get DLA for ds1. We probably could claim for ds2 but tbh even though he has a lot of problems he's not yet noticeably different from other 2yr-olds, eg a lot of 2yr-olds have tantrums, are in nappies, can't talk properly etc.

[MandM]

Piffle

Basically DLA is split into two components; Care and Mobility, and these components are then subdivided into 'rates' according to the amount of help deemed necessary. A child can qualify for one or both, at the same or different rates and to do so you need to be able to demonstrate (on one of their notoriously horrible forms) that your child requires more general care and/or help with getting around than an 'NT' child of the same age. Care Compnent can be claimed from very young (3 months I think) and Mobility Component from 3 years (again, I think).
If you put a DLA search into the Special Needs archives you will find all sorts of advice relating to DLA as there have been a lot of threads regarding this subject.
BTW, Carers' Allowance is actually completely separate and different from the Care Component of DLA. Again, do an archive search or have a look at www.dwp.gov.uk.

HTH

[MandM]

Sorry coppertop - crossed posts!

[Potty1]

Hi Piffle - we get it for dd, mid rate care.She has significant heart problems, leg length discrepancy and excema. She's 11 and we couldn't get it when she was younger - we were turned down and I didn't have the fight in me to appeal. We did have to go to appeal this time but I had more support whch helped loads.

Its worth applying for as if you get it at mid or high rate you get a bit more on your CTC and can apply for Carer's Allowance too if you earn less than £79. The forms are horrible and its a very negative experience in that respect. There are loads of threads on here about it and I found the www.bhas.org.uk site really useful. Is there a support group for Noonans? they may also have some information that is more specific.

[piffle]

my hv gets it for her disabled son and has offered to help me claim, also our local paediatrician is happy to help with the form and happily and promptly does her bit on it.
the main support group for NS is in USA so not much help in that way
Will apply and see I guess!

[Merlot]

Piffle - I am in the midst of applying for DLA for my ds2 who is 19 months. He has no specific dx and at the moment he is said to be globally delayed.

He has hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, portage and speech and language therapy. I was quite surprised too that we might qualify but HV explained that all the above is stuff that you wouldnt normally be required to do with a NT child and therefore requires additional time and money. Not sure how we will get on but I am going to give it a try. Good Luck with your application

[piffle]

we have speech, physio, opthamology, cardiologist, developmental paediatrics, portage, orthotics.
dd is doing great, but like Socci said it's not until I put her against NT children that you see the gulf.
HV advised to not lie but to paint the picture as it is on your worst day.
Have applied for a pack so we'll see
thanks for the info everyone