Spending DSs DLA

[Dlabaddie]

So Not a TAAT but something that often comes up in threads and has currently.

The discussion on what you're allowed to spend DLA on.

We've always put a proportion in one pot for him and anything specific he needs, and the rest in the household pot which covers household bills Inc those which are affected by his disability. We've done this on the basis of me having to quit work to care for him and carers being such a generous amount. DP works but wage isn't great.

But should I be recording where every penny goes and justifying it so extra clothes say due to vomiting with receipts but also proof I buy most of his clothes from our money? £5 towards electricity as bedding washed extra die to vomiting? Lots of people on the thread saying it can basically be checked at any point how it's spent but how do I make sure I keep proper info?

It could be recorded with some record in a diary. Not every little thing but if you use it for a course or holiday for them that could be written down . Regular taxis for appointments again could be noted. They suggest saving some but the whole point is the child has needs now otherwise the money wouldn’t have been given! If the child gets worse then when they reapply they will get it again ( presumably.)

Interesting to see my response to this thread from 3 years ago!

DC now gets £550 per month DLA. 1-1 swimming lessons cost £200 per month, and 1-1 trampolining costs £55 per month.

I had to change jobs as the full-time nanny was costing me over £50k a year, and despite being a high earner, I was just existing (as I also live in an expensive area with a big mortgage).

Changing jobs has meant I can work from home more often, and be available for when DC is collected by school transport.

However I’m not able to get home by 3.30pm when school transport drops off, so I have an after school nanny which costs £70 per day. If DC didn’t have additional needs, they wouldn’t need to attend a special school and could go to the same school as their sibling, and join after school club costing £15 per day.

As I mentioned in my last post, DLA isn’t the fortune some think it is; it just helps to offset some of the costs of having a DC with additional needs.