To try and claim DLA? Dont shout!

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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.

lisa my DS was entitled to higher-rate mobility from three. It did take a year to get it though so no, not at all easy!

Of course there's nothing wrong with applying. There couldn't possibly be, if you need the money and tell the truth on the application. Quick word of warning- refusals are increasingly common, and there are waits of several months for appeal hearings in many parts of the country. If successful at appeal, you'd get a backdated payment, but nothing before then. Obviously you might be successful first time, but it's possible that DLA might not be the short term answer to the financial issues. best of luck.

This might be useful:

www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-professional/benefits-and-services/disability-living-allowance/

So you see their forms, you don't know it's granted. If you hoped across to the SN board you could ask them.
DLA forms are huge, and so many are turned down.

Hi I used to work for DLA although I wasn't involved in actually deciding the claims. If you feel your child's needs are in excess of a child of the same age without a medical condition, and that these needs are likely to last for some time, then you should go ahead and apply for DLA.

YANBU at all.

This makes me so sad/fucking angry.

Benefit bashing causing people with genuine need to think twice about making a claim.

The forms do break your heart, it's true. There's a MN guide somewhere on SN which includes the tip from a wise MNer to write on a separate sheet of paper the things your child can do, for yourself, while listing exactly how different they are, or how life is so much more difficult on the form.

troisgarcons

You DO know that you can't get DLA for simple behaviour problems don't you?

Just wondering........

And I have NEVER sent anything into my DS's school "to be ratified", instead I send all the medical stuff to the DWP when renewal time comes and give them a school contact should they need it.

OP, I'd say you have a good case for needing some financial support with this but go to the CAB for support with the form because it's huge.

YANBU

Birds had a great idea about the diary, Have you spoken to your GP about claiming? They can be very helpful as well as health visitors. It does sound frightening and you need some support.

See? No one shouted!

It would be a good idea to claim asap too- I think they backdate payment either to the date you claim, or X number of days before it. So there's no time to lose. If you're not successful, you want to bung in an appeal as soon as possible. The form to use is G24.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017514

They sometimes try and get you to ask for an internal review of the decision before formally appealing. What they don't tell you is that you can appeal and ask for the internal review, simultaneously. And that most internal reviews just uphold the initial decision anyway. So if you wait for the internal review decision before appealing, you'll probably just delay things another month. Oh, also your appeal needs to be lodged no more than one month after the date of the decision.

I know! I really thought people would tell me there's no way I would qualify if im honest.

SO SO many times have I thought about keeping a diary. Not for these purposes but general purposes, to help me see key things, how reactions occur, how long they last if or when I need to panic, if and when it effects his sleep etc etc.

Ive got it, I'll start one this week. Ergh maybe next, when I can afford a pad of paper.

Sorry, the form to use to appeal is GL24 not G24.

Just a note, just because you apply and get rejected do take the rejection to citizens advice bureau, and appeal it and then if they still decline, or CAB, say there is nothing to appeal fair enough.

Worth a go and if you are really stuggling ask about other benefits you may be entitled to other help too!

Also OP have you investigated the possibility of carers allowance? I think it's possible to get it for a child.

You only qualify for carers allowance if DLA is already being claimed, I think. I'll have to do some research I think. And start a diary definitely.

I would certainly give it a try. Id suggest getting help from a professional to fill in the form though

You're right.

www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/CarersAllowance.aspx

Have you also done a full benefits check to ensure you're not missing out on any housing or council tax benefit, tax credits etc? there are websites you can use.

www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Thanks for your judgement, trois. Should I find out you work in my kids school, there will be trouble. You don't sound as though you're there to help at all, just there to decide who should and shouldn't get benefits. Go work for the DWP, because like them, you are unaware of what goes on when the kids are out of school.

Yes you should apply.

Also, to give you hope, my DD has multiple severe allergies and her skin was also TERRIBLE at that age and she had repeated ear infections.

Now she is 5 she hasn't had an ear infection for ages and her skin is almost clear, so things can get better!!

and ignore certain ignorant posters, which I am sure you will get a lot of when they see this subject in AIBU and rub their hands with glee at chance to put boot in.

CAB will help you fill out the form. I used the Cerebra PDF file on DLA to help me answer the questions in the right way for Care. It's all about how much you do over and above what's normal. Carers UK are also very helpful with advice and form filling.

If you've no access to CAB or a law centre, DLA also offer a form filling service. If you feel comfortable telling us where you are OP, maybe a poster could direct you to a local provider or charity. I know quite a bit about advice services in Greater Manchester, if that would assist. Feel free to PM me, if you're local and don't want to put your location on the thread.

Sorry you are having such a hard time. And of course YANBU to apply for DLA.

I dont mind at all. Im in Brighton basically. I really, really appreciate your help.

Fanjo, what was your daughter allergic to? Has she grown out of any of them
Yet? What creams did you find worked for her skin? Ive had to use strong steroid cream every couple of days for months. At the moment we use it every 8 days so there is improvement.

HTH OP. I don't know Brighton, but here's a link to CABs in the area:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm?txt_search=531800,105600&txt_display=Brighton, East Sussex

DLA forms tend to take at least an hour, so if you go to an advice service they may not be able to do it then and there. When I used to volunteer in a bureau, we only did them in appointments. Maybe someone here is in Brighton and could advise further about where to go for help.

You should apply.

You should also bear in mind that the government wants to cut DLA by 20% despite the fact that only 0.5% is claimed fraudulently or awarded in error.

The other 19.5% saving will be made up of people who deserve DLA but are turned down and don't appeal.

So claim on the basis that you have a good chance of being turned down and plan for that eventuality. You have a better chance of a successful claim if you get some support from a relevant organisation / CAB as they will be able to talk you through the hideous forms etc and decode what they actually mean!

Good luck. Your situation sounds terribly difficult and I hope things improve for you.