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AIBU?

DWP removed child disability

184 replies

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:13

Hi,

Wondering if anyone else has has had an experience like ours and if anyone has advice. Our youngest has dyspraxia and got the middle care component last year and I believe lower mobility. We submitted the claim again in good time and added a lot more information as we knew more about his condition and more experience with the form now. Due to a delay on their side we had to wait an extra 8 weeks so the decision was the day before the next set of payments. This year they rejected the whole claim. I asked what had changed from this year to last. They said they don't look at last years decision so there's no consistency. They also said "we expect children to be able to manage their condition as they get older" he's 7.

We basically lose anywhere between 600-1000 a month as my wife is no longer eligible for carers and all his other payments. He can have sometimes 4 or 5 different appointments for his health a month as well as other needs.

I spoke to Step change in the interim as we have to work out what to do now and even emailed our mp.

It's hard as it's frightening and it shouldn't be about the money, but their cold and vile attitude to this and no consistency to assessment makes me wonder how many other people have been hit like we have.

OP posts:

Report

milkchocolatx5 · 27/10/2017 07:44

diagnosis and appointments are irrelevant. DLA is all about care needs.

how much/what kind of help does he need daily. How much support has he at school.

If he doesn't get much help/support at school I cannot see how you could get middle rate care as this is for children with her high care needs who needs constant help and support throughout the day.

reading your posts, you only focus on his diagnosis and his appointments. maybe he genuinely doesn't qualify?

Slartybartfast · 27/10/2017 07:44

well good luck with STepchange - do you have debts op?

Slartybartfast · 27/10/2017 07:45

If he is 7 and your wife is no longer eligible as a carer, she will need to earn money perhaps?

missadasmith · 27/10/2017 07:46

Salt and physio at school are only a few mins here and there - not ongoing. this is not the kind of constant 1:1 many children need. could this be one of the reasons?

have you send a copy of his EHCP in?

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:46

Then why did he last year? we don't know whether if they should class as middle or lower, but it definitely isn't nothing. There are a lot of things he needs day to day help with. And there is additional school support.

OP posts:

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:47

And I can see where this is going with a few or the posters here. Let's hope they're never put in this position.

OP posts:

Katinkka · 27/10/2017 07:48

Did they only award for 1 year? That seems unusual.

Slartybartfast · 27/10/2017 07:48

your concern is financial isnt it?

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:50

It's my wife's ability to look after him as well. We have spent a long time getting him support at school and from health care and I'm thankful only one troll has appeared.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 27/10/2017 07:50

People aren’t being horrible people are being realistic. A lot of those commenting have first hand experience of the DLA system and the requirements to get it and how tough it can be.

There is no point people getting your hopes up that it will be reinstated after mandatory reconsideration/tribunal as from what you have said there is a chance it won’t and if it is at lower rate then things like carers allowance won’t apply anyway.

I do think while doing the appeal process it would be best for you to start planning for a life without it rather than ending up in a financial mess

SandSnakeofDorne · 27/10/2017 07:50

Sympathetic stance there slarty. Been drinking the Daily Mail Kool Aid?

Slartybartfast · 27/10/2017 07:52

daily Mail?
the op has been to step change
they are losing money
that is the crux

gingerh4ir · 27/10/2017 07:52

Then why did he last year?

your DLA award ran out. care needs can change as also disabled children develop. Certain issues might improve, new ones crop up. That's why DLA awards are only for a certain amount of time and then you have to reapply.

just because you had an award last year, it doesn't mean it's the correct DLA award this year.

Aliveinwanderland · 27/10/2017 07:53

Does he have an EHCP? If so have you submitted a copy of this along with the form? If not and you believe he has high level needs then why not? With the amount of care you are saying he needs at home (enough for one adult to not be able to work even though he attends school) then I would expect he has a high level of SEN and would certainly need an EHCP. Ask to speak to the school SENCO.

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:54

My wife did work previously but had to take time off due to him being sick and appointments etc which the job wouldn't support. And I agree we are going to see about my wife going to work but we need to make sure firstly she is available for him. That has to be the main concern.

OP posts:

OneInEight · 27/10/2017 07:54

I have heard of this happening to a few people despite continued care needs although fortunately not us. The key I think to filling in the form is to emphasize where your child needs more care than the average child of the same age and trying to quantitate and be specific about the help he needs. Cerebra have a good guide at least for children with an ASC which gives examples. It's not so much about diagnosis but how much support you have to give your child.

gingerh4ir · 27/10/2017 07:55

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MamaOfTwos · 27/10/2017 07:55

Dyspraxia is an illness but does your son need help with going to the toilet? Does he need help feeding himself? If he's in school, can your wife not find a part time job to offset the 'loss'?

Unfortunately unless he's really needing more care than the average 7 yr old, it's unlikely to be reinstated.

Aj9612 · 27/10/2017 07:57

It's not just about the money. And I think most comments here are constructive it's just one or two people sadly. There are food help needs etc but we submitted that in form.

OP posts:

FenceSitter01 · 27/10/2017 07:59

OP - people aren't trolling - they are telling you how the system works, what the criterion is. I hate to sound harsh, but if you'd read the form and understood it, and dare I say sought appropriate help from those more expert in filling it in, you'd know support offered in school would not necessitate payments as a carer etc to your wife. It is the support over and above that which a mainstream child would need. Take a step back and let the collective wisdom of MN come up with some workable solutions.

charlestonchaplin · 27/10/2017 08:03

If they've come to rely on the money because they previously got the award, it's not surprising they are now getting a shock to the system. If the new position is correct then they will have to adjust, but it would be hard for most people to have a sudden drop in income. And the young age of the child and numerous appointments mean getting a suitable job that actually pays (after childcare) will be a challenge.

FrancisCrawford · 27/10/2017 08:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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TheHungryDonkey · 27/10/2017 08:06

Plenty of children do not have a EHCP and get DLA. In some areas you would have a higher chance of being able to walk on water than the council actually agreeing to a needs assessment. Tribunals and appeals are long and drawn out. Some of my friends have moved county to get a very much needed assessment.

My son’s starting to do well at mainstream school now because he finally in year 6 at a new school has a teacher who can take his needs into consideration. He no longer climbs out of a classroom window to run away or cuts his face with a ruler in lessons.

That does not lessen his care needs at home or severe mobility needs that mean it’s impossible to walk along the street to school without a meltdown.

I can imagine dyspraxia can be incredibly disabling but you are not giving the right angle on the form.

I know dyspraxia is not the same as ASD, but it’s common for some conditions to be masked at school and not outside of it. I would get some advice that’s not from AIBU.

OutlawFromHell · 27/10/2017 08:06

OP as children grow often a previously fairly significant condition can improve and they become increasingly independent (after all encouraging independence is what being a parent is about!) Which naturally means they will rely on you less. It sounds as if this natural progression is why you have been deemed ineligible

Fairylea · 27/10/2017 08:07

Op does your child have an ehcp? I noticed it’s been asked a few times. I think without an ehcp a lot of people are struggling to claim dla at mid or high rate now because the dwp views an ehcp as evidence of the child needing substantially more care than an average child of the same age (which is how they judge dla).

If you haven’t already I would google “cerebra dla guide” and have a read of that. It sets out the criteria very specifically and gives a good guide to what dwp will be looking for. Depending on what you put in the original form you may be better submitting a new form.

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