To try and claim DLA? Dont shout!

[WhiteTrash]

Do you know what I think I already know IABU Ive already about people on here who have an elderly family member who desperately needs DLA or someone who needs it who for some daft reason isnt getting it.

And I doubt we'd qualify.

Except I really dont know what else to do.

My son is 10 months old, he had his first anaphylactic shock to milk at 5 months. It wasnt as simple as just using adrenalin though, he suffered with painful and itchy urticaria for 2 months after. Its likely he will get this everytime he eats anything milk based.

Since the first anaphylaxis he suffers from asthma (had to call an ambulance recently, Im from a family of asthmatics, my eldest is too, so I recognise when it gets serious). Awful exzema all over every inch of his body. Constant ear pain (narrowing of his 'ear tubes' apparently a typical sign of an allergic child', which means laying flat is difficult because of the added pressure.

He claws at his face, head, ears a LOT (always covered in cuts) because his head/face itches and his ears hurt.

He wakes 8 (which is a good night, a rare night) to 20 times a night. On times of 20 I dont sleep at all. On those nights I lay there and count to 15 between his waking.

His reactions are weekly, despite our home being an allergy free one. So I simply cannot have him at a nursery.

I want to child mind but dont see how I can while all the reactions and hospital appointments are going on.

We spend a fortune with hospital appointments (allergy specialists, dermatologists) and DP has to take time off work to get us there (if I cant get a train- eldest schoo pic ups, appointment times etc) and hes self employed so, losing a days wages, petrol money, etc.

Basically, we are so fucking poor I could cry. Fucking hell I do cry, and whats worse is I DONT KNOW WHEN IT WILL GET BETTER.

'They' have no idea. Any hope of me working has gone out the window. DP's wages in the last year were dire (self employed, it was just a Bad Yea because of the economy).

I doubt we'd even qualify for DLA but am I bastard for applying? I know its possible for allergies, I just read on here too damn often about people who sound so desperate for it, it just makes me ache.

Rock and a fricking hard place.

Should add, hes not just allergic to milk, its eggs, different types of milk, possibly peanuts and more that we have yet to work out.

He has a reaction each week, and we're fucked if we know what to.

We're waiting for more hospital appointments.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CaringForADisabledChild/DG_10027494

Who Early Support is for

Early Support is for families with a disabled child under five years old, and anyone who works regularly with young children and families. This includes families with:
?young babies leaving hospital with medical and other support needs, where parents and carers need practical help to care for their child at home
?older children where the need for extra help becomes clear only in the second or third year of life
?children who have obvious, multiple and significant factors affecting development and learning
?children who have less obvious difficulties

You won't get it if you arent entitled to it so there is no harm in applying.

yanbu to apply
it is hard, but if he is entiltled to it is worth it.
can I suggest nicely that you post in the sn topic, there are people there who will be able to support you through it,

Well no you aren't unreasonable for trying, just don't assume you will get it. It's all based on how much care is needed above that of a child the same age. Waking at night isn't that unusual at 10months. You may well get it for the amount of time spent. Dealing with meds and skin problems.
DLA is very hard to get and my poor mum who had a stroke and is now partially sighted, having fits, confused, gets lost, has set fire to the kitchin while cooking, can't dress herself or sort herself out has been turned down. We are taking it to tribunal
I would fill in form, send as much information as possible and hope.

Please don't feel that you need to justify yourself. It sounds awful for you both

If your son needs care over and above what another child his age does, he should qualify, for the lower, middle or higher rate depending on the frequency of these needs having to be met.

If this is just during the day or the night, it will be middle rate. If both day and night, higher rate. It might be worth re-posting on the SN children's board. A lot of help to be found there r.e DLA.

I would get help to fill the form in, do you have a welfare rights organisation near to you?

Start to keep a diary about your childs day and night and the details of the care given.

Most claims foryoung children, are turned down on the first application, don't let this put you off, try again, if you are turned down and if your consultant etc thinks you should be getting it, take it to tribunal.

Oh God lisad123 its cases like that that make me feel sick. You have to appeal it. Good luck.

It's difficult for adults to get - not so for children.

Reading your post, I think you would qualify for DLA. I think it's easy to get used to a normality that is far from 'normal' and underestimate the needs that your child has. We have recently been awarded Higher Rate care AND mobility and yet only applied when told to by a hospital consultant. The SN board will have lots of advice for you. I really hope you succeed as you sound like you're at breaking point.

He seems to have pretty complex medical needs so go for it.
Not true it's easier to get for children - pretty much all applications are being turned away at first try regardless. If they do turn it away OP ask for a reconsideration. It'll be more effective if you have medical backing from your little one's consultant.

I didn't think you could get DLA for a child under school age?

I don't judge DLA - it is a wonderful part of a civilised society. Dreadful that people lie and take the piss, but I do not believe it should be got rid of at all.

I just wanted to let you know about my beautiful friend who is 38. We been friends since we were 18 and she truely is stunning.

She was/is an anaphalactic. She carries an 'epi pen' everywhere. She is allergic to so many things and the amount of times the group of us called 999 at uni was unbelievable. She once swelled up because she had blowen up a balloon but was allergic to the powder on the balloon to stop the rubber sticking together! The paramedics had to cut her jeans off her as her legs had swollen so much and nobody would have recognised her face!

She told me of all the terrible things her parents went through as a child with hospital visits and amulances where she had massive allergic reactions. This was terrible for them and even now they get upset talking about it all. It sounds very similar to your situation.

Don't worry. Your child will be fine. My friend is beautiful, has 3 children, a degree and a wonderful life. She is also extremely close to her parents.

Claims for children are often turned down because assessors lack understanding of what a child the same age without difficulties can do. It's useful to refer to a milestone chart from a reputable source in some cases.

I didn't think you could get DLA for a child under school age?

If you are claiming for a disabled child

Your child must need a lot more help or supervision than other children of the same age.

You can claim for care needs before a child is aged three months. However, benefit will not be paid before the child reaches the age of three months unless they are paid under 'special rules' (see below).

You can claim for mobility needs from age three, if your child:
?is unable, or virtually unable, to walk
?would be at risk if they tried to walk

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10011816

DLA care is from birth and for mobility, from three. It is assumed that some typically developing children still can't walk until the age of three.

It is NOT easy to get DLA for children at all.
You cannot get mobility element of DLA for children under 3, and can only get low rate mobility until 5.

OldGrey- you can claim at birth, but won't be paid until the baby is three months old, unless terminally ill.

Whitetrash- give it a go! It's a very long form involving a lot of repetition. I found it helpful to write on post-its before I wrote anything on the form and for the first one one of my child's health professionals gave me advice on how to fill it in. If you have anyone who could help that would be good. Remember to include things that you now do automatically (reading labels in the supermarket I imagine for one) as its easy to forget what you would do 'normally' once you have adapted your life. As I said, even if you've written something in one place, if it's relevant somewhere else, repeat it. These things are done on a points system I believe, so what you do may 'count' in more than one place. Also think about the things you would like to do that you don't at the moment as you will be asked. If you have a specialist involved or someone who sees your child in a regular basis you need to fill their details in on the form also.
Good luck!

It is NOT easy to get DLA for children at all.

I'd beg to differ - I work in a school and I see exactly what parents are claiming for - including claim renewals - because they put all their paper work in to be ratified by the school - especially the behavioural complaints.

I don't really understand benefits, am in process of applying first time ourself after dh lost job so I have no practical advise

You sound like your going through a very tough time so I hope you can get help and bless your family, I hope things improve for you little one. I used to work with children with medical conditions and it is heartbreaking to see x

Blimey WhiteTrash that sounds horrendous for you all, your poor little boy :(

Of course you must try for DLA.

check

You can get DLA under school age. Post on Special Needs for some help applying - I think you should at least get the lower rate but the form is complicated and long (and will most likely break your heart).

Good luck :)

That is a bitter sweet post Pingu, thank you.

You know whats really fucked up, when it first started I couldnt see him reaching his first birthday. I have never, ever said or typed this. All I could see is danger everywhere we turned, and so severe, how the hell were we going to keep him safe?

But he's 10 months now, hes 1 in 9 weeks time. Its amazing, I was gazing at a photo of him and his brother earlier thinking I didnt think he would get this far.

It sounds dramatic but after 3 ambulance calls in less months, numerous hospital visits, steroids, adrenalin the list goes on. Its very frightening.

But all of a sudden The Fear is giving way to a bulls by the horn approach and now I need to know how we can survive this as I dont see how Im going to work.

Thanks for the input. Never even crossed my mind to post in SN, I'll def be looking in there tomorrow.