Cerebral palsy

[Staceyjean]

My son started school last September. He has cerebral palsy and isn't coping as well as I hoped. I claim child benefit for him at the minute.
Is there any other help available and where would I start looking.

You may be entitled to claim disability living allowance for him. It depends whether, due to his needs, it takes significantly longer to care for him than it would to look after a child without those extra needs. Just google DLA- the application is available to download from the gov.uk website. Then, if the claim for DLA is successful, you could also be entitled to Carer's Allowance.

Sorry to hear that it is tough going at school. Best wishes to you and your little boy.

My friend has been receiving Dla for her son who has cp since he was about 1. He also received funding for nursery since he was 2.

Depends what help you're after.

Financial: DLA it's a long form but there's plenty of advice out there to help you complete it.
If you're low income and you get middle rate care DLA, you may be entitled to Carers Allowance.
If you receive Child Tax Credits, there's a disability premium if your child is getting DLA.

Support wise: try your councils Local Offer (all councils are supposed to advertise this). It will show childcare, local clubs/groups, support etc for families with disabilities.

You could get a Care Needs Assessment from your local authority (can help with funding, employment, respite, they assess your needs as well as your child's needs).

Educational: best to speak to the schools SENCO and go from there.

Contact Scope for their help with the DLA form as it's long and difficult and the assessors look for particular wording IME. As pp said with a middle rate care award you would be entitled to Carers Allowance if you don't work or earn less than about £120 pw after some allowable expenses. Likewise a DLA award would bring an enhanced child tax credits payment as well.
Charity wise if you are looking for help with items that can make life a little easier look at contacting the Family Fund.
If it's school your little one is struggling with contact IPSEA or SOSSEN and get their help to secure an EHCP for your child.
Sorry things are tough for you hopefully with some help toget support in place they will get better.

DLA for a child diagnosed with CP should be feasible especially now he's in school - the form is long and tedious but if you can explain what he can't do that his classmates can, which includes what he might be able to do but not repeatedly, reliably, safely, and in a reasonable time, then it should be straightforward enough, and not require a face-to-face assessment. Good luck and bear in mind writing 20 pages on what your child can't do is depressing, so have someone on hand to chat to about how great your child is too, or at least write your own list about what he can do.

DLA, Carers Allowance.

Have you had to have adaptions to your home, or are you on the waiting list for a DFG? This can in some cases reduce your council tax.

With regard to schooling- has he got an EHCP? (Formerly statement of educational needs)- apply for one if not, to help ensure he gets the support he needs in school.