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?

As others have said, DLA is often a gateway to other services eg your rate of DLA is taken into account for Short Breaks respite assessment.

As @LostTheMarble says, if services and equipment were funded properly for SEND then we wouldn't need to be using it for replacing a wheelchair when the waiting list is too long or paying for Sensory Integration Therapy when the LA should be providing it.

Are you saying that anyone on DLA or other benefits should have no savings?

There is a huge mismatch between the benefits the Government estimates should be claimed, and what is claimed, with the Government comfortably winning the cash. Just because someone has a good salary doesn’t mean their child is not entitled to a benefit, after all we don’t tell rich people that their children can’t access NHS care, or be blue lighted to hospital.

Yes but presumably they will use their overall income to benefit the child so who's to say they can't have savings as well.

A blue light emergency is one thing, but in this situation, claiming benefits is just not morally right.

So do you not save anything at all, ever from any of your income?

Youre going to get a roasting on here OP - esp with that income, apply for it if you are eligible.

It’s worth bearing in mind, the government were considering changing PIP, so instead of providing a cash benefit, they may provide vouchers or adaptations instead. Therefore, it may be worth working out where your additional expenses are.

Also, as a PP mentioned, you need to keep her savings under £16,000, for future benefits.

I receive dla for a child. If I had the money I wouldn’t claim it. Until my child is entitled to pip at 16 which in your case your daughter could claim herself.

Why?

But the OP doesn't need this money now. They are talking about saving it. If they had said they were going to use it to fund private school for their child - often a better fit for mainstream children with ASD - would the responses be different?

You pay more taxes than most, I'd see no problem if she's entitled. If there was a problem they would have a cap on household income, but they don't.

Of course you should apply for it - it's for your daughter! David Cameron famously claimed it for his disabled son.

I presume you pay a shit load of tax on that salary so yes apply and get what you can. As PP is not a benefit for you it will be to help out your DD with day to day needs.

PIP/`DLA is not affected by savings or income. Millionaires can get it - if the person is disabled.

The only benefits affected by savings/income are means tested benefits, which PIP\DLA aren’t.

No one audits what the money is spent on. Direct payments, a different scheme, may be audited.

I wish people would stop giving out false information. This government have not suggested they will issue vouchers.

People don’t ‘deserve’ things because they pay more tax - that’s not how it works.

It is your daughter’s benefit by right and it is up to you as her parent and advocate to help her to receive the benefits and services she has a right to.

Our income is higher. I was Initially reluctant to claim DLA, and that’s the response my mum (a retired children’s social worker gave me).

We used DLA to cover the fuel costs associated with driving DS to his specialist autism unit. We have used it for highly specialist speech and language therapy and now for one to one sport coaching as he can’t manage group sessions.

But the services it opens up are also really helpful. He used to be allowed to bypass queues and to access quiet spaces at museums and theme parks, for instance.

Absolutely claim this for your daughter. A universal right is exactly that. We all belong in this society.

Disability living allowance is designed to cover the additional costs incurred by having a child with significantly different care or mobility needs to their peers.

There is no reason at all why you should not apply due to your income.

It is very useful if you want to apply for a blue badge or access pass.

However, it's an absolute pig of a form, that takes hours to fill in and collate the evidence. You may not feel its a worthwhile use of your time.

No, but people do deserve things that are a universal right, regardless of how much tax they pay.

This. So much misinformation on this thread!

I would wonder how much people think DLA is!

The absolute maximum would be highest rate care and higher rate mobility, both of which have incredibly high assessment thresholds, at a current combined weekly rate of £184.30. That wouldn't touch the sides of specialist private school fees.

Actually, I’ve noticed that a lot of people seem very resentful about others getting DLA. Especially parents who claim it. I see it on disability groups - people desperate to tell others they should not apply. It’s a very unattractive trait.

Savings will affect her right to apply for universal credit.

She is unlikely to be able to live on DLA/PIP alone. Great if she’s independent enough to get a job but if she is anything like my adult son, she will never be able to live independently and will always rely on benefits.

Not enough

Yes, totally agree.