To apply for DLA for DD when we have a household income of over 300k?

[Milesandmilesandmiles]

Just that really - we have an autistic daughter who needs support with most things (although is in mainstream school). Between us DH and I earn over 300k, so we don’t need the money. However, conscious that we won’t be around for ever and we could save it for DD’s needs as she grows. But is this what state benefits are for?

You aren’t supposed to save DLA, it’s for the extra costs associated with having a disability. If she has extra costs then yes apply. Be aware that if you expect that she will be on income related benefits (such as universal credit) as an adult then she will not be eligible if she has more than £16k savings in her name.

You're going to get a roasting on here but I don't see why you shouldn't. It's not means tested so why shouldn't you, in the same way that you're entitled to use state schools, the NHS, libraries, public parks etc? I'm guessing you pay more tax than most and take less out of the system than many.

DLA is for your daughter, not for you. You just receive it on her behalf due to her age. Your daughter doesn’t have a £300k income, so, if the assessors think she should be paid it due to her disability, she is entitled to it.

Spend the DLA/PIP on her, save the equivalent out of your current income for the future.

She's entitled to it, she has the right to have it. It was good enough for the Prime Minister a few back, after all.

It'll also help protect her should you both lose your jobs, go bankrupt and then suffer a fatal accident - it's not as if that doesn't happen to some people, after all.

I agree with this. Also, the money can enable you to free up your own spending for something else, like...savings.

But bear in mind what a PP has said about savings limits and claiming benefits in future.

Yes you should. DLA can be a gateway to other things that she might need like SEN sessions at attractions which are quieter than the other sessions.

It’s not means tested, if she is eligible then you have just as much right to claim it as anyone else.

the DLA is very specifially because your daughter needs extra care compared to a child her age without the disability. You won't get it unless you show clear evidence that your life is impacted by that care - ie. extra time at night/ getting her dressed/ she can't go to normal childcare etc

If you fulfil all that then they will give you the money and you have no reason not to take it

It is NOT means tested - as many benefits are.

Doesn't sit right with me. Unless the extra costs are really excessive I think you should cover them yourself with that level of income.

You would be unreasonable to save the money. DLA is for the extra costs associated with a disability. She either needs it for day to day living or she doesn't.

Where in the regulations does it specify what DLA/PIP can and can't be spent on and where does it say it can't be put in a savings account, please? Yes, it might be wise to make sure the savings don't exceed limits in the future that might affect other benefits, but there are no actual rules against doing so,

Also you don't have to prove extra costs. It is awarded on the basis of how the disability affects day to day life.

OP, David Cameron claimed it for his son.

I think you’re just as entitled to apply, but I get that it probably feels a bit of a grey area. Our household income is around £55k and we receive it. I still feel guilty about it, but it is useful and I know that I could fully justify how it supports DS (not that you are ever asked). I know you’re not meant to save it but my colleague saves their payments, she doesn’t think her son will be able to live independently and intends to use it for a loft conversion for him as an adult. I get that you’re not meant to save it, but I can’t see the harm in her doing that tbh!

Think how much tax you pay?

i would definitely claim for her if she had extra costs. We don’t for DD as apart from her school there aren’t really any yet. But we would have sent her to private school anyway.

Is it a fixed award or an indefinite award ? If it's the fixed I would claim - then when you reapply she may be assessed as not needing it.
Morally on 300k - that's a question only you feel comfortable with.

I remember that Katie Price got a lot of stick for using a local authority funded taxi to get Harvey to and from school (back when she was well off), however her argument was that she pays a lot more tax than most people and therefore why should she not apply for this funding when her son is eligible

It’s for her, you can always put anything she’s awarded (if she is) into a separate bank account out of your own money iyswim. But to be honest I’ve found it comes with more value than just the money. I almost didn’t apply for my eldest but then he was dropped from the paediatrician for some ill informed reasons about the ASD spectrum. Applied for DLA and used his approval for that as part of the appeal to get him seen again (by a different consultant thank goodness). I now using it to help with an EHCP application (luckily just did a successful renewal so all his care needs are written out and ready to go!). Writing the form is hard, but it really gets a great collective of information ready to hand about your child, their current needs and mapping out where things may improve or may become more challenging later.

Your tax is paying for it, so why shouldn’t you?

Yes you should. As others have said DLA is not means tested. As a benefit, it’s not there to top up parents incomes, and shouldn’t be treated as such. It is there for your daughter, to pay for the extra costs associated with her disability.

I agree with others. DLA isn’t means tested. However, be careful saving in DD’s name. Especially if DD won’t have capacity as an adult, will need social care support as an adult, will not be able to work/need means tested benefits, &/or she has/may have as she gets older an EHCP.

not everyone with ASD qualifies for DLA. it depends how it affects you. If she is coping in mainstream and her care needs are such that you both can work (and seeing your income, it's probably not very part time), I hazard a guess that her care needs may not even high enough to qualify.

DC1 has severe low functioning autism and we were refused, even on MR and needed a tribunal application to get an award. It's not easy to get.

Yanbu! Everything needs to be documented and support needs all seem to stack on top of each other. Ehcp builds the DLA, DLA supports PIP etc etc.

get DLA, spend it or put it in a trust for her it doesn’t matter. But claim what she’s owed. Even if you pay the DLA money in to support charities with her difficulties etc

This. It isn't to be saved I mean you can keep some but it's not for "building up"

Apart from that op it's up to you if you want to apply for it.

You should absolutely claim for her if you think that she meets the criteria. 100%.

It will do her good if you want to access services as "proof of disability "

DLA is for children only. After 16 it's PIP. there is nothing infinite with dla