Please help! Can you get backdated DLA for a child with ASD?

[AbZe]

Following a massive series of failings on behalf of CAMHS, my daughter was only given a formal diagnosis of ASD at the age of 17 years and 11 months, despite me raising the issue with them about 5 years previously. They did not believe that anyone could 'mask' so accurately and also did not believe me when I described the meltdowns which she had at home because she was quiet at school / in CAMHS sessions. She did not get any state benefits relating to her condition during her childhood (a condition which she had, it was just not diagnosed). We are about to try and claim PIP for her now as an adult. But would she be entitled to any backpayment? Thank you

Hi
PIP can only be backdated for 3 months I'm afraid The criteria is that the claimant should have had the disability for at least 6 months, which obviously she has
Remember that it is not awarded on the diagnosis, but how it impacts on the claimants life
I'd strongly advise you to get help to complete the form, I always use Citizens Advice, but the Cerebra guide online is very helpful too
I'm a long-standing recipient of DLA then PIP myself

One thing you can do though is call and request a paper form in the post. Any award will be backdated to the date of the phone call.

If you fill in an online application, any award will be backdated to the date you submitted the form.

But no, you can’t get money backdated for years.

You don’t need a diagnosis to receive DLA either. I sent in a claim for my son explaining that he presented as autistic but hadn’t been formally diagnosed yet. The key is to explain how much care a child needs above and beyond a typically developing child of their age.

Unfortunately not. You dont need a diagnosis to make a claim for DLA. You need to evidence that your child needs significantly more help than a typical child their age. I don't think there is anyway to make a claim for any previous years when you haven't claimed

OMG that's terrible. We spent so much money over the years... Not once did anyone even suggest applying for it. I am gutted. I will call and ask for the paper form now - thank you for that advice. X

@uncomfortablydumb53

the Cerebra guide online

Do you have a link please, my Googling is failing

Good luck with the claim AbZe. I know from experience a late diagnosis is difficult.

Ds was diagnosed with autism last year age 15. We never made a claim for DLA. He's nealy 16 now and is not able to go anywhere independently out of the house, school, local shop or be able to use public transport etc. Without us he would not leave the house at all. I've not looked into pip but I've heard it's very difficult to get. Ds finds communicating very hard so I'm not sure if he would be able to manage any kind of assessment.

It's just a massive joke. The school knew we were struggling, she was a school refuser for years, she tried to kill herself on more than one occasion... Punx sorry to hear that... I would like to think that they would take DS's communication difficulties into consideration, as in, they would inform part of the decision. Good luck xx

@Amaranthine
I'm sorry I've no idea how to link, but I've just googled myself Try Cerebra.org.uk
Good luck

@AbZe Don't forget as an adult pip claimant she’ll be expected to attend an assessment. If you don’t think she’ll be able to do that you need to supply supporting evidence.

It may be different during Covid. The government website says they are suspending face to face assessments for 3 months from 16th March which only takes it up until middle June. They will probably extend that date though.

Dla would have been easier to get awarded re communication issues than pip. 😕

Yes PIP is harder but please don't let that stop you trying ... look on your council website gif your local parent carer forum they will know if there is anyone who can help you with the forms/processes

Because your DD is 17 she would be expected to phone up and speak herself etc. If she can't manage this or manage money you should look to become her appointee.

Hi thanks everyone for the replies. We rang up yesterday and the claim will start from then. I asked about backdating but it was clear the lady I spoke to was reading from a script and wasn't allowed to deviate from it at all. I also asked about ESA and she wasn't allowed to tell me about that either. Once you have a claim submitted you can use the advice line to discuss queries so on Tues will speak to them.

As DD is 18 she had to give her consent to let me speak, which was fine. We just had the call on loudspeaker. They insisted on using her mobile number to contact her even though she wanted to use mine, which seemed very daft!

If anyone's interested - all face-to-face interviews are suspended for 3 months because of Covid. We do need to supply evidence but that should be ok.

They kept saying it's not about the condition it's about your abilities which I think is a big shift from DLA

It would be universal credit DD could apply for - there is a limited capacity for work element that replaced income based ESA. If she is still in education then she could only apply for UC if she was in receipt of PIP.

DWP will want to use DD's mobile number because it is her claim and you are not her appointee. If she needs you to speak on her behalf and use your number then look into being her appointee.

DLA was always about needs and not dependent on a diagnosis. Children's DLA still is.

Amaranthine, in case you couldn't find the Cerebra guide, it is here.

They kept saying it's not about the condition it's about your abilities which I think is a big shift from DLA

DLA is also about needs not the diagnosis. Anyway, no point worrying about that now. I also thought that DLA was dependent upon a diagnosis and only for those with very high care needs. It was stumbling upon a MN thread about applying for DLA that taught me otherwise.