What do people actually expect DLA to be spent on??

[Whoknowshey]

This comes off a thread I read recently where a poster was being criticised for spending DLA on a fridge .

Im curious as to what people think DLA / PIP should be spent on ? Due to various circumstances I am aware of what people spend it on and I also have a child in receipt PIP so I know how theirs gets spent . Some differs to how my child’s is spent. Some I agree with , some I don’t but the fact is it’s for the individuals needs and that varies massively. Especially with non physical disabilities it would be hard to spend it on things directly related to their needs but there are many ways in which it affects their lives that it can help with .

Some I have came across;

• theme park passes- the child cannot do what others can , going out with friends etc . The passes give the opportunity to enjoy childhood safely.
• Toys/ things for hyperfocuses - a hyper focus is a form of regulation . To some it may look like an obsession with a character but it’s actually a way for the individual to regulate.
• Towards the family income because parents cannot work.
• Furniture - lots can get destroyed due to the individuals issues.
• Save it towards the child’s future . The child may not ever be able to get a job and adult social care is appalling .

I think all those things are justified . But I have seen comments against that.

My child has PIP as a young adult. They have a part of the money as theirs to do with what they wish ( which can be wasted hence why they do not have it all and I am their appointee - but also they have no way of having extra money as cannot work nor claim any benefits , have to stay in education to hold on to that EHCP and to help with their life skills etc ) A part goes into the house because I care for them financially as though they are a child - yet usually parents do not have to do this with an adult child. They know exactly what they are paying for with this - rent, shopping etc, social groups. It doesn’t really touch what I spend on them as the majority actually goes on a mobility car , because they have to be taken to most places . This way they are paying bills etc as they see it - an itemised of what they pay - because I know if they go in to supported living it will be eaten up by that and I don’t want them to get used to just having all that money, I think the way I do it is justified as it is for their needs ( food aversions so more expensive shop , get through clothes very quickly due to sensory issues , hyper focuses , social groups specific to their needs ) .

A bit fed up of seeing people attacked because someone doesn’t deem what they spend as “ for their needs “ yet those needs are so vast .

Interested on thoughts.

if you look up how to use DLA saving for the child’s future is literally one of the recommended uses . I’ve been a taxpayer for 20 years and still am, so yeah I think it’s fine . I use it in ways I think will benefit him and yeah I think about that long term as well. Get over it .

And costs aren’t consistent which it’s a good idea to keep money back for when there are big costs. It’s been pointed out on here enough that sometimes children need expensive equipment like wheelchairs, how do people afford that without saving.
I know someone who has had a wet room installed for her severely disabled child, she had a grant for some of it and had to cover some of the costs with savings! All so her child in a wheelchair can shower.

I'd honestly expect it to go into the household pot and be spent along with the rest. I can't imagine allocating it specifically to disability related items, although I'm sure that's where a lot of the overall household income goes.

No, we parents often don't work so shouldn't have anything remotely nice. It comes across all the time in these threads. it took only 2 replies to get to this old chestnut!

Ireland has had a huge increase in disability claims too.
Rosscameasdoody That is a very good point regarding the appeal process and costs, it is similar in Ireland, most people are awarded on appeal.
It could also be a case of more evidence gathered for the appeal too, people add much more detail to the appeal, gathering information and paperwork to backup their claim.
Who knows.
It needs to be investigated.

People with disabled children are allowed to hire a skip too, you know. It's not a privilege of those with children without SN.

the cost of disability is usually a loss of a complete income. You clearly haven't got a clue. I recon you don't have a disabled family member who forced you to leave employment?

Regardless of whether a child is disabled, tax payers shouldn’t be funding theatre trips, horse riding lessons and holidays. DSA should be given in vouchers to spend on bills, therapy, food, clothing.

If it’s being saved up it isn’t needed and should be taken away. I can’t afford to save for my child. Why should I pay into other children’s savings?

Agree, I would love to build up my children’s cash ISAs.

"I can’t believe that people save their kids dla. How nice it must be to use tax payers money for his ISA"

Big purchases can require saving for. We spent £8000 on a required specialist piece of equipment and when our severely autistic son moved into supported living we had to buy another one costing £8000.

They weren’t referring to ‘that’ type of saving.

If you read up on it, you will find that most families with disabled children are far more worse off than those with children without SN. Losing a parental income long term costs far more than most people will ever reclaim in DLA .

You sound jealous of those on DLA? I can assure you, we are not able to save for my DC (both on disability benefits - I know 😲).

Serious question @Julen7 and @StevieNic - would you swap your healthy child who has a future ahead for my child who will never be independent and needs life long 24/7 care? Would you like to give up work and care for your child until the day you die (no sick pay, no respite, no holidays) in exchange for caring 24/7 to the tune of £83 per week (carers allowance) and DLA/Pip on top.

I really think some people need to engage their brains before posting this green eyed nonsense.

"Agree, I would love to build up my children’s cash ISAs."

And I would love my child to be independent one day and earn their own money but that isn't going to happen.

This is another thing, years ago it was basically unheard of for families to have more than 1 disabled child unless the disability was genetic. Now there seem to be so many families with 2 or 3 children all disabled and claiming DLA. This needs investigating.

if it makes you feel better, my children don't have ISA and neither have I. due loss of income, we have no saving. Hope you can sleep better now.

Better send the Old Bill round then. Honestly!

Don’t be daft. This is costing the country a fortune. It used to be unusual and now isn’t - why? I know multiple families claiming for 3+ children, all within a 5 mile radius.

can you provide a map of all the families claiming for multiple children within 5 miles. This scandal needs to be made public!

What does multiple mean? More than one?

Years ago and not that long back they used to put autistic people in institutions and chain them to radiators. Now autistic people are allowed to live their life and since autistic people tend to gravitate to one another, they're having relationships and shock horror, having babies.

It's really not that hard to join the dots up

Now what do you think should be done about that, I'd be interested to hear.

Yes you are right about being daft, maybe I am just following suit. Has it occurred to you that conditions are being diagnosed more efficiently now, then before? Or that our understanding, of more conditions, that were always there, is better?

Don’t be ridiculous. This is not an uncommon scenario any more, and disability benefits are hindering our economy (alongside a few other areas of spending). Trying to joke your way out of it makes it look like you secretly know this but desperately want to deflect.

Overdiagnosed more like. And that doesn’t mean it’s affordable. It isn’t. The benefits have never been higher, the adjustments and accommodations at school have never been higher, the diagnosis rate has never been higher, yet outcomes are worse for kids now than 20 years ago. What’s the point if it’s making no difference?

Disabled people are not at fault the country is struggling. you know that. you are just one of the many bigoted posters who likes to stick the boot into the most vulnerable.

Maybe you are new to these threads. I can assure you, that you have read me quite wrong.