DLA application time limit for completion

[Peaceflower]

I'm running out of time to complete this.

I received a new type of form (so the pack said), and was given 4 weeks to complete it. Now I've been trying to write down on paper over the last few weeks various incidents, trying to jog my memory, etc, the time's flown by, and I have to send it in to reach them by 29 July.

I'm really worried that I might not meet the deadline. I mentioned this to a friend who has DLA.

She told me that when she applied (about 18 months ago), she had her form hanging around for about 6 months before she sent in it. There was no time limit. Is this right?

They make a note of the date you asked for the form and if you return the form by the four week deadline they backdate the award to that date. If you miss the deadline the award runs from the day they receive the completed form.

Is it a renewal or first application? If you miss the deadline for a renewal, there may a risk that you won't get continuous payments if there's a gap between the end of the first award and the start of the new award? If it's a first award, it doesn't matter so much - the deadline just means that you won't get it backdated so you'd lose out financially but it's better to spend more time on the application than to rush it.

I had DLA forms hanging around for years before I sent one in. I kept phoning them up to ask for a new form to get a newer datestamp (then, like you, I'd get other things to deal with and panic and still not manage to get it done). You could phone up for another form, which would give you another six weeks (but that would start from the day you phone them again).

Otherwise, you could send the form by the deadline with as much as you can fill in now, and tell them you need to send further information at a later date. I know that other people have been able to do this, but there's no guarantee that they won't just make a decision based on what they receive first time.

You've still got quite a few days to get the form in - if you send it special delivery, you can send it on Wednesday. Can you get a free afternoon to really focus on it and get it out of the way?

Thank you so much for replying. I am so thankful this board is here and that people care enough to share their knowledge and experiences.

It's a first application and I'm still trying to meet the deadline. However it's good to know that if I miss it, it's not the end

Having re-read your original post I just wanted to make a comment. The DLA will be calculated based on how much time caring for your dc takes out of your day. It has to be happening most days or every day to count and has to take a significant part of those days. Isolated incidents won't count however much they describe your dc's disability.

You might already know all this, in which case please ignore me, but if you don't come at it from the right angle you'll be turned down.

Think through a normal/bad day and itemise every little thing you do for your dc that you wouldn't have to do for a child without a disability. If all these things added up amount to enough time you'll get DLA.

I hope that makes sense and helps you to get it. Good luck and make sure you've got wine/chocolate on hand for afterwards.

Thank you, A. I have done my best for now. The form is completed, and I've put in the post with a wadge of supporting documents.

Now I've just got to crack on with the parental contribution for a statement request......due on 2 August (panic!)

When that's done, I will finally be able to relax!

Just wanted to say well done on getting the DLA form sent - I know what a nightmare it is. We did ours mid-June and had a decision pretty quickly. Also had to do our parent statement quite soon afterwards. I found that having recently done the DLA really helped with the statement as I had thought a lot sbout DS1's problems/issues already. Good luck!