Child’s DLA

[Gooner1234]

I split from my ex just over a year ago. She has been living in the house with my 2 boys until now with me living at my parents whilst she got a job, applied for a mortgage and found a house to buy etc. We agreed that I would buy her out of the house and I have been paying half the mortgage for the last year whilst she lives there. Her house move should be going through in the next few weeks. I have also been paying her £620 CM which is based on me having them 1-2 nights a week. My work circumstances have since change meaning I now have shared 50/50 custody of the kids. Based on this I am able to reduce my CM £470 which I will be doing from next month. My eldest child is autistic and receives £330 per month DLA. I know that none of this money goes towards supporting him and is instead used to pay my ex's bills/fund her lifestyle etc. My question is, should I be entitled to half of my son's DLA payment as I have him half of the week? I know that me receiving half of the DLA payment plus the reduction in CM payment will have a big impact on my ex financially but I would never let my kids without and am happy to buy anything they need. Should her financial worries be my concern? Or am I right to want to receive half of the DLA payment so that I can actually use it to fund my child's needs?

No because the person who cares for him gets it for the child.

But am I not a joint carer if I have him 50% of the time?

No you don't get half of the DLA

Dla cant be split in half.

My sons DLA also goes on bills etc. It pays the electric, water or whatever. In reality it means so don’t need to work so can meet his needs properly. I e always used it for this ....he needed me to be at home and so I applied for DLA, it’s used entirely for his benefit ...as his Mum is home to support him.

I also get carers allowance for my husband, it goes on bills, food, stuff for the children. I don't spend it all on him so why does DLA have to be spent all on the child. Its so that we don't have to work so we can be around to do the caring

You want half of your sons DLA??? I've heard it all now!!

How often do you have your child?

No, sorry, it cannot be split.

Having a child with additional needs, whatever they may be, take a toll on the whole family, but, realistically, whatever you feel about how your ex spends the money, she is the one who has to be there no matter what. You are only able to do 50/50 because your 'work circumstances have since changed'. Should they change again, so revert back, she would have to pick up the pieces and probably would do so willingly.

I dont spend my dla on JUST my son.

Omg you want to take half of your sons DLA

I really have read it all now.

I wouldn’t rock the boat if she will be gone in just a few weeks. You can then move back in and get the whole dla for your son.

Paying bills and enabling your disabled child to have a parent at-home with them is meeting their needs.

You have the DC half of the time and so have reduced the amount of maintenance you pay. That's fair.

Taking half the DLA just to spite your ex, because that's how it reads, is beyond low.