AIBU to buy a car with DS's disability money?

[mum0ftw0]

I'm waiting for a DLA application to come back, should get middle rate if all goes well. It'll be backdated for 6 months, so will be enough to but a cheapish car, and the weekly DLA will be enough to run it.

I'm unemployed DS is 4 and has major behavioural problems with Autism.

Using public transport is a horrific thing to get through with him, and 1yo DS.

Live in a village where there's not even a park.

What do you think?

You can get a motability car if he qualifies for the mobility element.

I think you have to have higher rate to qualify for motability.OP I think if it makes life easier and less stressful for your ds then go for it x

If he qualifies for high rate mobility. Which he probably won't. It's a pig to get for autism! Not impossible. But a bugger!

It's not unreasonable to buy a car with his DLA. You have identified a car as being something that would benefit him. That's what his allowance is for.

"It's not unreasonable to buy a car with his DLA. You have identified a car as being something that would benefit him. That's what his allowance is for."

This ^^

Ah, I'm sorry. I'd get a car. The DLA is there to help. (it's also a pig to get for hypermobility syndorome )

If you're entitled to DLA then the sensible thing would be to spend the money on something that makes your (by that I mean both you and your DS) life easier. If having a car will do that then I don't see why not.

YANBU if having a car will make your and ds's life easier, but I would think into the long term as well. At 4 there probably isn't that much extra that you need to spend money on because of autism, but as he gets older there is a good chance you may need money for something that will be of more direct benefit to ds. Specialised therapies or childcare, or I'm sure there are plenty of other things, but it's hard to suggest when autism presents itself in so many ways. It would be a shame if you found yourself in a position to years from no where you can't afford to but something ds needs because you have bought the car instead.

Also, think about if you can afford to save some money for things like services, new battery or clutch or other repairs when the time comes. running a car is more than just tax and petrol costs unfortunately, but only you can decide what will be of most benefit to ds and your family.

His DLA is so his care needs are getting met. If by buying a car it makes his life (and yours) simpler, then I see no problem with this.

Also, once you get the DLA, call tax credits and let them know as you will also be entitled to the disabled element of it.

Good luck, DLA is a bugger to get, but a blessing once you get it.

The purpose of DLA is to enable you and your son to have a better quality of life.

As your son is only 4, then as the parent it is up to you to do this for him, and I would imagine a car is a reasonable thing to use the money on, as it will be for his benefit.

sounds like a good idea. What else would you spend it on

Sounds ok to me, a car will make life easier and deffently less stressful to him and your family. Dd2(5) has ASD and we get higher rate care and lower mobility so theres a chance you might also get this?

We use dd's money for what ever she needs or we need to make her life easier, TBH it doesn't cover everything she needs so we have to find the rest else where, if we didn't have a car it would deffently go towards one as life would be hell without a car (we also live in a village).

I have 2 sons that receive DLA. I used to save this for them when I was married. Since my divorce their DLA pays the mortgage. It keeps the roof over our heads.

Spend the money where you need it, whether it be on a car, mortgage, or aids to make life easier.

You've gotta do what you've gotta do.....

If you gte middle level then you should get carers too. I didn't think they backdates except in special circumstances though. I'm probably wrong on that, so don't panic.
I think spending it on a car at this point is a really good idea. We didn't have a car for years and I'm amazed how much difference it's made to what I can do for the children.
Just don't spend it before you get it though, I've known people that were expecting high level, and got lower level, so it's not a forgone conclusion until you get it.

Yep, it's what it's there for, and getting out and about is a big with a child who has autism.