Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DLA

84 replies

strawberrryfiieldsforever · 13/04/2021 19:03

Not an AIBU - just looking for quick answers! Wink

I submitted a claim for DLA for my child in a February but I have not had a letter confirming the outcome yet.

I've just found a payment for £358.20 from DLA in my account made today.

The weekly rates for children are:

Lowest £23.70
Middle £60.00
Higher £89.60

£89.60 x 4 weeks = £358.40

So that means if he has been awarded the higher rate it's 20p short. Not that I'm at all bothered by 20p, I'm just trying to work out whether he has got the higher rate, or the lowest/middle rate with a back payment? And the amount is a coincidence?!

Anyone shed any light?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Mumofsend · 13/04/2021 20:51

And it is paid 4 weekly not monthly. So the 5 weeks thing is wrong too.

MRC will include some night care, HRC is substantial day and night

Blindstupid · 13/04/2021 20:58

Depends on when you applied ... it could be (fir instance) 5 weeks and 3 days worth ....

If you don’t work or earn less than £106 (approx) per week, then you should qualify for carers allowance. If you get universal credit you will get the disability element added to it (by notifying them). If you don’t get UC or tax credits, the DLA might actually make you qualify for it.

x2boys · 13/04/2021 20:58

[quote Mumofsend]@GinAndTonicOnIt the nappies really wouldn't, loads and loads of typical children are still in nappies at 3.

The night needs don't sound overly substantial for the age either.[/quote]
Whilst I agree lots of NT children are still in nappies at three when my son was first awarded DLA at three and half it said he was entitled to middle rate as he needed frequent personal care throughout the day ( or something along those lines) he has severe autism and learning disabilities,so going by the reports they must have realised he wouldn't have been out of nappies any time soon .

Mumofsend · 13/04/2021 21:02

@x2boys that is just the standard wording they use, it will be for all of his needs rather than nappies itself.

Dominickthedonkey · 13/04/2021 21:07

@x2boys you are correct! I’ve just had a look at his award letter.
And you are also correct about it depending on who’s desk it lands on, my son is due to move over to PIP next year and I’m dreading it.

x2boys · 13/04/2021 21:12

Fingers crossed 🤞 he get s the award he deserves @Dominickthedonkey,

FortniteBoysMum · 13/04/2021 21:17

Could it be middle rate care and low rate mobility

OrangeBananaFish · 13/04/2021 21:50

[quote Dominickthedonkey]@x2boys you are correct! I’ve just had a look at his award letter.
And you are also correct about it depending on who’s desk it lands on, my son is due to move over to PIP next year and I’m dreading it.[/quote]
We've just sent off the PIP form for DS (turned 16 in Feb). I'm dreading it too.

DH gets carers allowance and our UC is all set up with having a disabled child etc. Not looking forward to finding how much worse off we'll be a month.

Original poster
strawberrryfiieldsforever · 14/04/2021 13:23

Thanks again everyone.

I phoned again and got through eventually! It was middle rate with a back payment, to be paid until 2029.

One more thing sorted!

I will have a look at carers allowance next

OP posts:
rainbowthoughts · 14/04/2021 13:33

2029 / that's amazing!!

Original poster
strawberrryfiieldsforever · 14/04/2021 13:57

@rainbowthoughts

2029 / that's amazing!!
I know! I assumed it would be yearly applications or something! Perhaps with her being so young they don't anticipate much change in her needs for a while? I did double check and the lady on the phone said I don't need to take any further action until 2029 unless our circumstances change
OP posts:
SavingsQuestions · 14/04/2021 14:01

Wow ours was 2 years!

Happycat1212 · 14/04/2021 14:21

Mine was 2 years first time for my son and 3 years second time Autism as well, it REALLY does depend whose desk it lands on!

x2boys · 14/04/2021 14:27

My son got 13 years! On his first award which was fantastic at first however he had medium rate care and as he got older and his needs became increasingly obvious ,I had to go to a tribunal to challenge his rates ,.

rainbowthoughts · 14/04/2021 14:38

We got a 3 year award when DS was 9, when it came up for review they basically said he had no care needs because could walk independently to school. School is a 0.3 mile walk from the house. I did everything I could to prepare him for moving to high school, to give him the best shot at being able to walk there by himself. It bit me firmly on the arse with the DWP though.

earlydoors42 · 14/04/2021 15:15

Don't forget to reapply when she is 5 if you think she qualifies for low rate mobility from then. Sometimes they give long care awards like that hoping you won't rock the boat by reapplying sooner. (Though bear in mind they could dispute your care award if you do reapply at 5)

Original poster
strawberrryfiieldsforever · 14/04/2021 15:15

These people can't have any experience of children with additional needs if they can be so brutal!

I'm so new to all of this and it has been relatively straight forward upto now.

I've put my claim in for carers allowance so will see what happens with that.

Is it an automatic thing you will get if you care for someone with a middle or higher rate DLA and earnings etc all match up to their criteria?

OP posts:
Original poster
strawberrryfiieldsforever · 14/04/2021 15:16

@earlydoors42

Don't forget to reapply when she is 5 if you think she qualifies for low rate mobility from then. Sometimes they give long care awards like that hoping you won't rock the boat by reapplying sooner. (Though bear in mind they could dispute your care award if you do reapply at 5)
Thankyou! I will see how we are when she turns 5. My main worry still is being unable to work and having this money taken away if I 'rock the boat'.
OP posts:
x2boys · 14/04/2021 15:19

You should be entitled if you don't work or if you do ,you can earn around £128 / week and still claim carers allowance,carers allowance was quite straightforward I found .

HEYBritneyAreYouReadyy · 14/04/2021 15:20

@strawberrryfiieldsforever

Thanks again everyone.

I phoned again and got through eventually! It was middle rate with a back payment, to be paid until 2029.

One more thing sorted!

I will have a look at carers allowance next

When I read your first post, I had a feeling it was middle rate with back payment. We have the same.

Glad it's all sorted.

FireflyRainbow · 14/04/2021 15:21

Rates went up in april I think my letter said. You would be entitled to the old rates up until then, then the new ones.

x2boys · 14/04/2021 15:34

I just got a form just before my son turned five for the mobility bit ,they just added low rate on to his claim it didn't affect the length of award

TheVolturi · 05/05/2021 16:43

I didn't want to start my own thread so did a search and found this, my ds has just been awarded dla for 3 years, does anyone know what happens when the three years is up?

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 05/05/2021 16:54

@TheVolturi

I didn't want to start my own thread so did a search and found this, my ds has just been awarded dla for 3 years, does anyone know what happens when the three years is up?
DLA should send you renewal forms about 4 months before the end date. If you don’t receive them ring up for the forms so the award doesn’t run out.
TheVolturi · 05/05/2021 17:11

@blessedbethefruitcake thanks for that. My ds will be almost 11 when it's up for renewal, do they usually grant it again? I suppose some things might change.