Do I risk gambling with reporting changes to DLA?

[CoffeePlease91]

I have already posted about my daughter’s behaviour. She has been receiving highest care rate DLA for some time now and low mobility… however because her behaviour has got worse over the last few months I think she might meet the ‘severe mental impairment’ criteria for the highest rate of mobility instead.

For example the criteria states 1; has to be receiving high care rate DLA which she does. 2; a state of arrested or incomplete physical development of the brain. It states that autism meets the first part of this requirement. The second part is severe impairment of intelligence which they say is hard to prove because majority of autistic people are able to learn etc. My DD goes to a SEN school but isn’t able to qualify for exams because she is not able to sit and answer the questions and understand them etc. I don’t know if that makes her qualify for this part or not? And 3; severe behavioural problems which she would definitely qualify for because she self-harms and injures herself often.

I just don’t know whether it’s worth the gamble incase they say no and end up changing her care rate back down too which could mean losing a lot of money that goes on paying for all the things she needs and I couldn’t afford to pay for it all out of the other household budget.

Her DLA isn’t due to be renewed for another 3/4 years.

Any advice?

I'm quite right wing, by Mumsnet standards, and I think you are wrong. When it comes to tax and benefits, you should follow the law, regardless of whether you agree with it. If you are going to let morality be your guide, would you take more than you're legally entitled to when you feel that's right? If not, then you are signing up to take the lower of two standards, the law and your sense of morality. That's not fair to yourself.

@CoffeePlease91 my daughter gets lower rate mobility and her needs sound much less than yours so I would definitely reapply in your position. Do you have someone who can help you with the forms?

@Retrievemysanity yes that’s another thing, I have a joint condition in my hands and fingers and struggle to write - especially if I need to fill out the whole form again (?!) is there any companies that can help me fill it out? X

The last time I filled it out was 2/3 years ago and it took me forever and I was in agony the whole time, even when I broke it up over several days and weeks! X

@CoffeePlease91 are you on any local SEN Facebook groups - they will usually be able to tell you who can help you fill in forms. In Herts it’s the Money advice unit. You could also try calling your local citizens advice and they will tell you who fills in claims locally and for free.

I don't suppose you're in Hampshire? I'd willingly help you. In fact, if you were willing to send over any evidence by email, I could probably do it remotely. Unfortunately I 16 years experience of doing these forms!

^ have

Absolute nonsense
Op I don't think they will decrease the award as she goes to a special needs school
My son gets HRM under smi ,he goes to a special school for children with severe and profound learning disabilities, he's 12 ,non verbal, needs full 1:1 support 24/7 working at pre school levels ,challenging behaviour etc etc ,there is a flow chart for SMI ,maybe if her behaviour is so challenging out and about shee needs 2:1 it might be easier trying for HRM under the virtually unable to walk criteria ?

This is an unkind comment.

DD1 got virtually unable to walk when she was 5. I think it was because without support (restraint) she wouldn't make progress in her journey (she'd run off, etc.).

I'm quite right wing, by Mumsnet standards, and I think you are wrong.

Totally agree with you. People are extremely quick to forget that this never applies to businesses who literally employ people to take full advantage of tax benefits, and make business decisions based solely on government subsidies or whatever contract / funding they're handing millions out on this week.

I'll get worked up with individuals claiming every benefit they can - even if they're being creative - AFTER the government deals with the unfairness which is riddled in the system at all levels above them. Spend half an hour looking at what's happening with corporate land grabs in Scotland, or read through gov transactions over £500, or look at how much they give companies to employ "Apprentice Shelf Stackers" THEN please tell me how we should all be tightening our belts .

CoffeePlease ignore that rocket and fingers crossed the claim goes well and your family gets the extra money your DD needs.

Perhaps it's worth hanging on until October say so that her new school have the chance to get to know her and can hopefully provide input?

Absolutely go away.

Oh piss off what a stupid thing to say. How dare you put guilt onto someone with a child with a disability.

I reapplied for high rate mobility for my son who has severe ASD and severe LD when he was about 12. When I applied I specifically referenced the SMI criteria and examples where he met the criteria, and included lots of evidence from NHS, special school, school transport, respite etc. They awarded it straight away under Virtually Unable to Walk in the end, even though he met all of the SMI criteria.

From what you have said you should do a change of circumstances.

I always download the editable pdf to complete the form rather than handwriting.

The money isn’t taken from a struggling tax payer if op is awarded this. It’s hard enough having a disabled child without being made to feel guilty to claiming things to make life that little bit easier and slightly closer to what everyone else takes for granted. I take it you don’t claim any sort of benefit including child benefit as otherwise you are being hypocritical

That is completely not the point!

DLA is for the child, not the caregiver…. It is for them and immorality does not come into it….. ffs.

If they are entitled to it, you should claim it for them.

ffs