DLA for adopted children

[Minesadouble23]

Looking for a bit of advice. I was talking to an adopter at an adoption event (I don't know them well enough to of really discussed this out) who was explaining to me how DLA for their son was really helpful. She said it isn't much but has helped her with reducing her hours at work etc. She mentioned she doesn't have a diagnosis but required extra support around school i.e wouldn't cope with afterschool club and still doesn't sleep well at night and a few difficulties around behaviour but nothing extreme.

I spoke to another adopter who I know better about it and they say they get the lower rate even though I know their daughter doesn't have a diagnosis for anything but does have sleep difficulties and can't cope with childcare more than a few hours a week.

My DS doesn't have a diagnosis and I'm not sure he would tbh, however he has higher needs than an average child his age due to adoption. He doesn't cope well with others looking after him, shows fight, flight and freeze behaviours regularly and isn't a great sleeper. Should I be looking on to this? I want to reduce my hours to support him better and this would help, although I see the lower rate isnt much. Are adopters accessing this more commonly than I realised for similar circumstances?

Thanks for any advice

[Jellycatspyjamas]

DLA is awarded to reflect the additional care needs your child has, not specifically for adoption, though often our children have complex needs that require additional care. Sometimes that gap doesn’t become apparent until children are older because small children all need a lot of hands on care.

Cerebra do a fantastic guide for parents applying for DLA for non-physical disabilities. I’d warn you to take the application form in chunks, it’s hard to think about how much your child needs day to day and there were things I hadn’t considered that I’d adjusted to meet my child’s needs.

[Ted27]

Just to add you do not need diagnosis to get DLA, its about demonstrating the additional need a child has over and above the average child of the same age

[Formby]

Definitely worth applying for. It can be used for any things to give you and your child support e.g respite care, one to one swimming lessons, child care, paying for therapy, employing a cleaner. In fact anything to help with a child who requires more time and attention than the average child.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

It can also be used to help with household costs to allow you to work less and spend time with your child, eg if they can’t cope with childcare.

[Minesadouble23]

Thanks that's really helpful. My DS is 4 and I forget how much extra I do compared to my bio parent friends. For example one just booked a last minute holiday and I was like o wow I would need weeks to prepare my LO to stay away from home- you just forget that sort of thing isn't the norm don't you lol. I probably should of considered this a while back.

For those of you claiming DLA- behaviour issues and night wakings, would this usually be lower or middle rate? Just trying to work out how much difference this is likely to make to our finances.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

It really depends, I get middle rate for my DD, she wakes 6/7 nights a week and still needs a lot of care when she does. She’s nearly 13 though so that’s clearly a level of care you wouldn’t expect for a near teenager, with a four year old a level of night waking might be expected. The eligibility is based on care they need over and above a non-disabled child of the same age. Additional care can be hard to evidence when they are young, because young children need a lot of care, the Cerebra guide is very helpful.

Its possible he’s not eligible yet because they may think the level of care is consistent with his age, or they may award him lower rate - you can have this reviewed as he grows as the gap between him and his peers widen.

[Ted27]

@Minesadouble23

It really does depend on the extent of the issues.
It can be a bit soul destroying to do it but you have to try and get across your worst day.
Also the mobility element - this is not just physical mobility but also their safety eg will they hold your hand when you.are out or are they runners ?
DLA is also a gateway to other benefits as you are a carer. Carers can get free tickets for lots of things as long as there is a paying child. Makes a big difference to you getting out and about.

[tonyhawks23]

I've applied as impossible to work around ours needs,but the wait is so long (applied after Christmas and expected decision is mid may).