DLA help: huge sum deposited in account

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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?

and that is total bollocks - seriously, they may say dont do as worst day, but all that gets you is a rejection - so DO put as your worst day

I'm really pleased for you op. I'm in the process of applying for my 15 year old who has autism. I'm worried about the assessment because his answer to every question anyone asks him is "I don't know." Does anyone know if I can answer the questions for him please? Thank you.

Where do the guidelines state this? The PP is right. You’re not supposed to just state your worst day and that’s it. You put it in context of how many days out of the week/month you could manage to do whatever it is in question.

Edited to add: I’m not saying this to alarm OP, as it may not even make any difference.

It really isn’t bollocks. You’re supposed to put an accurate representation of the whole picture. And it’s supposed to be worked out on whether a person can do something repeatedly, reliably and safely.

Edited to add: this is based on PIP rather than DLA but I believe DLA is the same.

I’m amazed as we are constantly told on here DLA requires reams of evidence and is very hard to get

My autistic ds also got the same rate.

Well the diagnosis reports she included would be considered good quality evidence. If you have ever seen an nhs one it can include several pages of reports from a multidisciplinary team.

She just said she didn't add teacher evidence

When I applied for my son, I had the paediatrician’s report that ran several pages long, a diagnostic report, evidence from pre school and then nursery. When they’re little that’s about all you would have anyway. It’s enough. PIP is a different matter and I’m dreading that frankly.

Not it isn’t the same. I applied for DLA for my son when he was 3.5. At 16 it will be PIP which will be an entirely different matter and is much harder to secure. It will still require evidence. As I said earlier in the thread, it’s absolutely right to base it on your worst days. It’s very easy for parents to minimise when they are trying to cope. It’s also emotionally extremely difficult to do.

I think you’re referring to PIP. DLA is for children from birth to 16.

Not according to this and some other sites I’ve looked at.

I took my advice from the paed, the Money Advice Unit specialist and the ASD parents support group I belonged to. I mean most days are worst days with young high needs children but that is what I did and son’s award reflected those difficulties.

Op says her child isn’t that difficult though.

Sorry, are you trying to find reasons why she shouldn’t be getting DLA?

Well I’m very surprised given everyone on here says how hard it is to get and how much evidence they had to submit. Cases like this sort of prove it isn’t the case. Not being personal to the OP, she got it fair and square and hasn’t cheated the system, I just feel the system is too lax.

Well Peony you personally can’t really assess the OP’s child’s claim based on a MN post. You don’t seem to have any experience of even reading the forms let alone filling them in.

I only attached a 2 pieces of supplementary evidence - diagnosis reports and the EHCP - that’s 50 pages of information going back to birth.

OP said herself her soon needs a bit more supervision but that’s it. I’m really not attacking the OP, I suppose it depends how you see benefits, to me they’re only something that should be granted if a child needs care far beyond that of a typical child their age. Others may disagree.

Simply put the amount of additional care you provide a disabled child can be easily normalised within a family. You don’t even notice you are doing it. Particularly if you don’t have a peer to compare against.

i would urge you to read through the forms to see how detailed they are. That would be time better spent than assessing someone else’s claim via MN.

Peony1897
But that supervision will likely continue where as other children will become mature and independent.

We received a back payment for a similar amount - we started our claim on nov 28th and the payment arrived in May. We received approx £3000 as it is calculated and backpaid to the date of your original contact. It sounds as though you have been awarded close to the highest award, which should be reflected in your confirmation letter - and should have arrived by now. I’d give them a call and ask if they can resend the letter.

Well done for managing the system and getting your DS the financial support he deserves.

@Peony1897I didn’t provide supplementary evidence because our problems are predominantly at home, the school issues are already within the diagnosis reports. I didn’t add other witness statements as it’s just us at home, but I know others provide a lot more. I provided the autism and adhd reports both of which are reams of paper comprising multiple professional opinions. I didn’t want to bother the school again when I didn’t think there’d be anything additional to add to what they’ve already given as part of the diagnosis.

I didnt say anywhere I didn’t think we deserved it, just that I was surprised we got a higher level. I feel a bit guilty knowing the effort some people need to go to to explain their children’s issues, we were lucky we had the diagnosis already to do the leg work.

Don’t get me wrong, I spent hours on those forms, over days. I don’t know if you have a child with additional needs but it’s been a long process and one I have been in denial with throughout, the autism diagnosis in particular was a big shock, so every time something like this happens to validate those diagnoses it just further fills me with confusion and guilt for not seeing it sooner. It’s just been our life, I don’t know different.

Thanks all, now I’ve had a day for it to sink in I’m not feeling so worried, I await the letter.

You had to provide all of that evidence (from the school etc) as part of the diagnostic process so it is factored into the award on the basis of the fact it is included within the detail of the report. The DWP understands this, I think? Our reports were 23 and 27 pages long (one for autism and one a few years later for ADHD). The appendices reference the QB tests, the Connor inventory, the completed feedback forms from the school etc.

You should absolutely not feel guilty that your child has received the support they need when others have not. The process is flawed, but the fact that it served you and your child well is not something you should ever feel the need to apologise for.

I felt exactly the same. I filled out the forms honestly. Not worst day all the time but more based around a 2 week diary of exactly what happened throughout our day. Lots of school evidence and edpsych report too. I am so used to my son, especially as a lone parent, that I just get on with it. My son was given highest rate care and lowest rate mobility. I was shocked. It wasn't until I got my friend to read the copy of my application I made that she said 'I didn't realise all this was happening.' Sometimes when you have a ND child you are so normalised to their ways that you forget they have significant needs. The money we get now allows him to take part in normal life. We can get a hotel for his racing hobby (previously he missed out as we couldn't do early morning travel like the other kids). I can get him the little things he needs (weighted blanket, gro clock, sensory toys) etc, I can afford the food he will eat. It's a huge difference and I'm slowly not feeling guilty about it. They wouldn't have given it to you if you didn't need it OP. Just enjoy being able to give him what he needs far more easily.

When our son was diagnosed and we started going to places and getting a free ticket as a carer we felt the same- because our son doesn’t ‘look’ disabled. Getting DLA and carer’s allowance is the same, it’s like a change of identity which takes time to process, especially if you haven’t claimed benefits in the past. When you look at what you are doing over and above I’m sure that you are very much entitled to it, it’s can be difficult to see it if it’s something that you are doing everyday for a loved one.