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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be completely confused by DLA payments

40 replies

Summeblaze · 13/04/2015 13:44

So, who knows about these. Filled in the form for my DS1 a few weeks ago. I logged on to my bank on Friday to find a payment from the DLA.

I haven't had any documentation so don't know if this is my 4 weekly payment or a part payment. The amount doesn't add up to any combination of any of the rates shown on the website.

AIBU to be well confused or am I just a bit stupid.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/04/2015 13:46

It will be backdated to the date you applied. It took them 6 months to sort it for DS so that was a nice payment.

I got the letter a few days after the money went in.

Fairylea · 13/04/2015 13:47

I could be wrong but from others I understand the turnaround rates are very quick at the moment so it seems like they are making a payment from the date you rang to get the form to when they issue the award and then it is paid monthly. You can ring to check. They have been putting payments through before sending documentation so you should hopefully receive a letter soon.

(I'm waiting to hear re my ds).

Original poster
Summeblaze · 13/04/2015 13:53

I downloaded the form online and filled it in. I think I sent it off the week commencing 23rd March so not long ago at all. The issue I have is that I looked online at the rates and the amount doesn't add up to any of the combinations (my DS has mobility issues as well as care issues) for either 1,2,3 or 4 weeks. I'm baffled.

OP posts:
Welshmaenad · 13/04/2015 13:56

It will include odd days as they backdate to the exact day you request the forms.

x2boys · 13/04/2015 14:01

Hi when I first got DLA for my son they backdated it to the day they sent the form so although it only took four weeks from sending the form off to getting the decision I also got £500 backdated this was about a year ago.

Nydj · 13/04/2015 14:02

Some of the payments will be based on the old rates and some on the new rates as you the period between you downloading the form and the payment being made straddles the date when the rates are increased (6th April, I think).

LaLyra · 13/04/2015 14:02

It's paid 4 weekly so they'll likely have done a payment of x days to take you up to the regular pay day.

You could phone them to ask or if you divide the amount by the number of days since you sent the form you should be able to work out the rate from that.

Original poster
Summeblaze · 13/04/2015 14:20

So is it more likely that this is a larger payment than normal or less.

It isn't what I was expecting as myDS has quite a few disabilities. I wasn't expecting the highest payments but equally not the lowest.

OP posts:
LaLyra · 13/04/2015 15:02

Not necessarily. My niece got an interim payment and then a regular payment in quick succession. I think it's paid in arrears (or at least partly in arrears) so it'll depend where you fall in the pay cycle.

If you've worked it out and it's not the level you then give them a call to get the levels confirmed. It can take a week or more sometimes for the letter to come out and if you want to appeal the level you don't want to hang about waiting for a letter.

Ask them to send you out a statement of reasons so you can see why they've chosen to award the level they have and then you can ask them to reconsider it (although they warn at that point that they could lower the award as well as increase it which would mean appealing).

LaLyra · 13/04/2015 15:04

*No idea where the not necessarily came in! Sorry.

DancingDays · 13/04/2015 15:51

You can ring them and ask your rates.
Could the Mobility component be confusing things? Are you expecting to have mobility or just care?

Normally you are given what they owe you as backpay and then 4 weeks later you will get your regular amount.

DancingDays · 13/04/2015 15:54

It's only 3 weeks since you sent it so it would be less than the normal amount.

gamerchick · 13/04/2015 15:55

Would it help to say how much you got? We might be able to figure it out as some of us already get it.

Perspective21 · 13/04/2015 16:11

I would say if it's in your bank, the letter explaining which rates you will receive for which components (and the reasons why) will be with you shortly. Often their electronic banking works faster than the post but a letter will be on it's way. The letter is straightforwardly arranged for you to see what you are receiving. Hang on a bit x

x2boys · 13/04/2015 16:17

I first got the back pay and then a couple of weeks later the regular payment so yes it maybe a larger payment than normal depending on what rates your son has been awarded

kinkyfuckery · 13/04/2015 16:19

You'll receive a letter at some point this week detailing what he's qualified for. You can give them a call and some advisers will tell you what rate he'll be getting.

ArseForElbow · 13/04/2015 16:21

If you phone they can explain it too you

PissedOffRestingFace · 13/04/2015 16:22

I have recently been awarded DLA for my eldest dc. We were awarded lowest rate care and lower rate mobility and I got the back payment before the award letter. I am thinking of asking them to look into it again as I believe we should be eligible for middle rate care so it could be a similar situation for you in that you've been awarded a lower band than you are expecting.

Original poster
Summeblaze · 13/04/2015 17:05

The amount I received was £102.85.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 13/04/2015 17:44

That amount will be a catch up amount...possibly a week or so worth of money.

You'll get your letter soon, I got the acknowledgment of forms and decision letter on the same day.

lougle · 13/04/2015 18:42

How old is your DS? If under 3 he won't get mobility at all, or if 3-5 and not virtually or completely unable to walk he won't get it. Only if he's 5+ would supervision outdoors count.

That payment could be 1 week of High Rate Care + Low Rate mobility.

Purplepoodle · 13/04/2015 19:23

Ring them?

feebeecat · 13/04/2015 19:31

It will be backpay - claim will be back dated to when it was received, if you downloaded it yourself. It's paid four weekly in arrears from the Wednesday after its received. You will get a letter giving you a break down of components at some point - obviously the system is slower at churning these out than the payments!

Original poster
Summeblaze · 13/04/2015 19:52

I was at work so couldn't ring. Only sneaky MNing.

My DS is 7 and has trouble walking and also needs constant supervision outdoors.

OP posts:
ArseForElbow · 13/04/2015 21:30

It sounds like a part payment or one weeks money, they did the same with me, I had to call them but I've just changed over to PIP, DLA seem to send letters eventually. They are open from 8am if you wanted to try calling them.