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Original poster

DLA help: huge sum deposited in account

73 replies

jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 09:16

We applied for DLA for my AuADHD son back in December. I wasn’t too sure if he’d get it as he’s quite independent, but I thought we might have a stab at the lowest rate as we do have to be more hands on with him than most people need to be for a pre teen his age. More supervision, but he’s medicated. I filled in the form honestly, based on our ‘worst day’ as advised, I didn’t even bother with additional evidence beyond his diagnosis reports as I didn’t want to bother the teachers for supplementary evidence.

This morning I’ve had over £2300 deposited into my account from DLA, no letter yet (I know the letter can be delayed).

I don’t understand this sum, it’s huge. I can’t even work out what rate it would be, they must be including mobility? It should be for approx 18 weeks, I’m surprised how quickly it’s even been done as I know it can take 25 weeks currently.

I am so scared I have done the form wrong, sorry I know absolutely no one here can tell me if it’s right or wrong and I need the letter, I suppose I’m just curious of other people’s experience?

OP posts:
Soggydog · 16/04/2025 09:17

That's normal, it's the back pay from the date you first applied to now so don't panic. From now on there will be 4 weekly payments.

Soggydog · 16/04/2025 09:18

The letter should arrive any day to confirm the rate but based on current waiting times likely mid rate care and low rate mobility. Could be wrong on that obviously.

GettingMySpringOn · 16/04/2025 09:19

That's normal to get payment prior to letter. It's his award

PinkPonyClubber · 16/04/2025 09:23

It’ll be back pay from when you applied or asked for the paperwork. My letter came in a week after money arrived.

youcannaecallherfanny · 16/04/2025 09:26

youll have been awarded mid rate care, with low mobility rate. And it’s been backdated from the date you applied. The letter should come soon.

Dutchhouse14 · 16/04/2025 09:28

Dont worry OP it will be back pay, award letter will follow soon with the weekly amount (it's paid 4 weekly) .
I the meantime you can Google the rates and probably figure out the award.
If you provided evidence/reports and answered the questions honestly then there is no need to worry.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 16/04/2025 09:31

That’s right OP- nothing to worry about they backdate it from the date you request the form- sounds like you have got mid rate care and low rate mobility- because he needs more supervision/ help that other children his age it’s correct, that is what it is based on, no need to worry- it’s about £410 4 weekly at present but I think the rates have just increased

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 09:33

I don't want to alarm you, but it's not meant to be filled out as a worst day. You can reference worst days but it is also meant to look at average care needs

I have no idea how you filled out your firm so it might not change the outcome much anyway and in which case it's just backdated.

Original poster
jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 09:41

Thanks all sorry I should have been clearer I knew a back payment was coming (I rang up for the forms for this reason!) but I was only expecting £700ish for the lower rate, I’m just a bit gobsmacked he’s been put on a higher rate and making me question how I did the form! As a pp says I’m assuming it’s mid rate care and low rate mobility.

I’ve been in denial since the day he got his diagnosis tbh, it’s been a shock every step along the way. Beginning to realise it’s perhaps me who is seeing things differently.

OP posts:
Original poster
jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 09:43

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 09:33

I don't want to alarm you, but it's not meant to be filled out as a worst day. You can reference worst days but it is also meant to look at average care needs

I have no idea how you filled out your firm so it might not change the outcome much anyway and in which case it's just backdated.

No it’s a fair challenge, I think in terms of worst day I did it for the questions around things like road safety. I averaged the timings for care.

OP posts:
MissMarvelMum · 16/04/2025 09:47

Hi, just to put your mind at ease, my asd & adhd child also gets medium care and low mobility, think it’s about 400 per month. My friends daughter also has the duel diagnosis and was awarded the same!

Original poster
jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 09:51

@MissMarvelMum thank you, how independent are they? My son doesn’t have an EHCP, he’s on the special needs registered and medicated, but mostly does ok at school (except maths as he gets no dopamine from that one lol!) most of my family were shocked when he was diagnosed. But he doesn’t have the same level of freedom my eldest had at this age because of his impulsivity and general immaturity, he’s much younger for has age.

OP posts:
TwinklyRoseTurtle · 16/04/2025 09:51

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 09:33

I don't want to alarm you, but it's not meant to be filled out as a worst day. You can reference worst days but it is also meant to look at average care needs

I have no idea how you filled out your firm so it might not change the outcome much anyway and in which case it's just backdated.

You’re totally wrong- the guidelines clearly state to document the worst day. Please don’t write misinformation to a parent already worrying.

DeeDeeDo · 16/04/2025 09:59

It’s backdated OP

I get the panic and reality. We were hit with a backpay of more and I think I had been in denial.

ByBoldOP · 16/04/2025 10:04

We get the same rates for our Autistic DD. Just done renewal (2nd time) so waiting to see if this continues or changes. Hopefully, it won't through as we would struggle massively if we lose carers. I'm unable to work as DD needs so much support and can't attend school (a while different battle to get a suitable provision).

By contrast our eldest is also autistic but diagnosed as an adult and doesn't get any benefits. From a parenting perspective their needs growing up were a lot less than DDs needs. Although, they likely struggled just as much but it was internalized.

MissMarvelMum · 16/04/2025 10:04

Hi! My son is 10 just now and he was diagnosed pretty much when he started nursery at 3. He really struggled at mainstream and could not cope at all. He ended up being moved (I had to fight hard for it) to a special needs school and he totally flourished! He is my eldest (I also have an 8 year old) and I didn’t think he would be diagnosed. He could speak very clearly pretty early where as his little brother needed speech and Language therapy. He did and does struggle with change, routine, new places. A lot of meltdowns especially at school when he was in mainstream and he ended up sat in the corridor at a single table with a TA for 1 hour a day playing connect 4. Now he does full days but we did have to work up to that. Independent wise. He doesn’t go out without me, he can brush his teeth but I do need to stand with him otherwise he just chews his toothbrush. He can shower himself (I need to convince him to go otherwise he wouldn’t shower for a week) but I still have to wash his hair or he just won’t. He can now get himself dressed (apart from socks) but almost daily something is back to front, pants inside out ect so I do help him to fix that. He does play Minecraft on his Xbox and build legos that’s his two interests. He is also very impulsive and does alot without thinking, pretty immature aswell but again is that just 10 year olds. He is going to start high school after next year and I am terrified for him! How old is your son?

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 10:06

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 16/04/2025 09:51

You’re totally wrong- the guidelines clearly state to document the worst day. Please don’t write misinformation to a parent already worrying.

Show quote history

I really don't want to give misinformation and I am sorry if I am wrong.

But I was told to do the form accurately and only reference worst days not present them as the average. So not to say it takes 4 hours to put my child to bed if that was onlyy once a month. But to say it took 2 hours most nights but once a month it took 4.

MissMarvelMum · 16/04/2025 10:07

i see a few struggle with the schooling. I ended up removing him from school. The authority tried to make me apply for home schooling but I refused on the basis they have to provide him with an education and playing connect 4 for an hour a day is not providing him with that. I could do more with him in the house so that’s what we done. I think it was about 8 weeks and they gave him a place at a school. I contacted mp’s, autistic charities and the head of the education department pretty much every day until they provided him with adequate education.

Original poster
jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 10:09

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 10:06

I really don't want to give misinformation and I am sorry if I am wrong.

But I was told to do the form accurately and only reference worst days not present them as the average. So not to say it takes 4 hours to put my child to bed if that was onlyy once a month. But to say it took 2 hours most nights but once a month it took 4.

Show quote history

It’s quite hard to do that on the forms with timings though because there’s no contextual information where you give timings?

OP posts:
Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 10:13

jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 10:09

It’s quite hard to do that on the forms with timings though because there’s no contextual information where you give timings?

Show quote history

I did it in the boxes at the end and free form at the end.

I'm sure you've done it just fine! You said you averaged it which is what it says to do.

Original poster
jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 10:13

@MissMarvelMumthank you, sorry to hear about your struggles. I think this is where I feel a fraud because schooling isn’t too much of an issue, on paper, grades at least, you wouldn’t really know he has additional needs (although I’m very apprehensive about secondary school). We did move schools because his last school couldn’t meet his needs as far as I was concerned, but we managed to move him to a very small rural school that is still mainstream and he’s thrived there.

OP posts:
LongLiveTheLego · 16/04/2025 14:55

Do you know you can claim carers allowance if you earn less than £196 a week that can also be backdated to the date of dla award as long as you apply within a month of the date on the award letter. ( backdating is otherwise 3 months max)

gamerchick · 16/04/2025 14:59

It'll be backdated money. Your letter will come. Stop worrying.

TheFormidableMrsC · 16/04/2025 15:11

Frowningprovidence · 16/04/2025 09:33

I don't want to alarm you, but it's not meant to be filled out as a worst day. You can reference worst days but it is also meant to look at average care needs

I have no idea how you filled out your firm so it might not change the outcome much anyway and in which case it's just backdated.

That was the advice I was given. So that’s what I did. That was from Money Advice Unit and an autism support group I attended.

springautumn · 16/04/2025 15:24

jkkdhhsgs · 16/04/2025 10:13

@MissMarvelMumthank you, sorry to hear about your struggles. I think this is where I feel a fraud because schooling isn’t too much of an issue, on paper, grades at least, you wouldn’t really know he has additional needs (although I’m very apprehensive about secondary school). We did move schools because his last school couldn’t meet his needs as far as I was concerned, but we managed to move him to a very small rural school that is still mainstream and he’s thrived there.

To make you feel better I have a son who is in mainstream secondary (nearly 13) does quite well in school as does well with the structure but still struggles he recieves middle and lower and has it till he is sixteen after renewal last year