Dd was awarded DLA today, higher rate

[SloeBerri]

Dd was on middle rate care from 3, today it was raised to the higher rate and mobility. It’ll go until she’s 11. I thought I’d be so pleased for the help, but instead I’ve been on the edge of tears all day since the letter. It’s a different ball game. A long award and higher rate basically says we are far away from normal. I filled the form in factually and straightforward about needs, and it feels crap to be unusually open about needs (I’m always downplaying I guess) and have a stranger equate it to high needs disability.

Has anyone else felt like this? I thought I’d feel a bit of victory against the system/ fighting for her entitlement and I just feel really low. I was expecting mrc, though I can see the criteria for hrc is met.

I applied for my 8 year old about a month ago . We have had some appointments but are still awaiting formal diagnosis . The peadiatrician who saw us last said she is pretty sure my dd has autism and adhd.

I put off applying for a while because I felt like a bit of a fraud - I Have no idea if we will get anything. When I was filling in the form I felt almost embarrassed to be moaning about things.

@6timesthemess yes the feeling of fraud! It gets me. Going out can be hell on earth, really hard and we go out less than we should.

A few days ago we had a really pleasant short bus journey, she sat and looked golden. I actually felt like I was committing fraud if she does that, or surprises me with more sleep. Like I should tell someone before I’m caught out! The decision maker called me and I was telling him firmly there was a night three weeks ago she slept nearly all night.

In a way I hate it hovering over me, like I’m always there to be checked up on ( she is autistic, had LD, epilepsy, hearing impairment, poor muscle tone, sleep difficulties, food aversion and toileting difficultly so objectively I’m probably not committing fraud...)

I do this for a living and for my own dd.

Yes, it's awful - pip, dla and capability for work questionnaires - they all make you feel like your life almost mustn't be worth living.

It's a necessary evil though unfortunately - I wish it wasn't - I'm so passionate about disability benefits and wish to god there could be a better way for people than the system we have now.

I understand this my son was awarded high rate care and low rate mobility 2 without a diagnosis. I was incredibly grateful as it was becoming apparent me working full time was no longer an option and financially we had no idea what to do but I cried as I realised how significant his care needs were for him to get that level of DLA.. It’s under renew now but we do have his diganosis now I just pray we get the same as I have had to give up working as no care provider including additional needs ones can cope with him in school holidays. I think it made me face the full reality of his needs and that was hard.