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DLA quick question - minutes...?

39 replies

thederkinsdame · 25/01/2011 12:03

Sorry, i know this has been done to death, but I need some MN wisdom. Just doing our DLA renewal and I'm not sure what to put on 'how many minutes a day' etc as for most of the categories, if DS is awake, he needs constant supervision and truly can't be left alone. It makes it really hard to fill the form in. Last time, it was all very new to us and I found the form really upsetting and difficult to fill in so I crossed it out and put constant/all the time etc but I don't know if that's the right thing to do? Also, did you provide extra evidence on separate sheets and reports etc? To put it in context, DS, 4 has ASD, is very physical/verbally aggressive. He has a statement and attends unit for kids with ASD. Any advice appreciated!

OP posts:
coppertop · 25/01/2011 20:45

Good luck, Taysh!

If all else fails you can always try the "Hecate Plan B" method. I'd offer to send some pants for the collection but I suspect having strange people on the internet sending you pants would probably seem bloody weird odd. :o

1legmummy · 25/01/2011 22:48

you are all fantastic, I am going to appeal for my ds, but I think I am going to bombard them with evidence Smile

Please can I hire you all???? Wink

coppertop · 25/01/2011 22:52

For a small fee. Wink

starfishmummy · 25/01/2011 23:00

Do they really expect lots of back up statements from other people? DS has always had higher rate of everything and I have never included extra evidence as they write out to school and paed/nurse anyway??

Or is it because DS has clear physical disabilities that makes a difference?

1legmummy · 25/01/2011 23:01

I really think it would be worth it for my stress levels Confused

Got to admit dont understand the appeal process at all

MrsShrekTheThird · 26/01/2011 00:53

brilliant thread. Have more or less finished my first draft Wink and have 2hr appointment with CAB on Thurs.... also bewildered by the "minutes" thing, ta for the advice!

bigcar · 26/01/2011 10:14

I think the thing about paperwork is that if you have recent reports or clinic letters to hand it's easier to just copy the lot and send it in. I know they will write to people to get their opinion which is absolutely fine if you can be sure they will reply promptly but I know I've had problems getting professionals to do paperwork at all, let alone quickly and then only to find they've sent a copy of their most recent report or clinic letter anyway. As we know, every little helps! Grin

just in case it hasn't been mentioned on the thread already, the cerebra guide for filling the forms in is good, there is also somewhere online the guide the decision makers use.

good luck with your claims.

Triggles · 26/01/2011 10:42

I was rather embarrassed when telling people like the SENCO and paediatrician that we were applying for DLA. They didn't think it was a problem, but I still felt badly. Makes you feel a bit like a money-grubber because of all the bad press.

But it's the only way we could afford some of the things that would benefit DS2.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 26/01/2011 14:18

bigcar - a link to those would be so great, if you have one.

bigcar · 26/01/2011 14:34

download cerebra guide here and dla decision making here covers adults and children so be aware of that when reading Smile

1legmummy · 26/01/2011 16:46

Thanks bigcar -really helpful

violet101 · 26/01/2011 22:50

It is some years now since I filled out a DLA for my daughter (quadraplegic CP, epilepsy, reflux etc) however, as part of my job now, I don't deal with SN childrens, but older carers and I always tell them the same.

Think of all the hardest aspects of your role - be it, toilet training, nights, meds, social... and then paint that picture into 24 hours timescale that they are asking about.

I'm saddened to have to still be saying this but you have to paint the toughest picture, wht worst case scenario if you want a successful DLA application.

If your attitude is "actually, its not so bad, or I manage that ok" they recipient will think "that's fine and move on". Well it might have been fine when you wrote it, but 2 days later when you've been up all night and the same problem re-occurs - you won't be feeling fine about it at all. You will be tired, sad and feel isolated and whether you need the support on the day you complete the form or not, you sure as well might in a couple of weeks.

So in summary:

Write worst case scenario, think of every little thing you do in 24 hours, how many times you have to change your child, clear up because of your child, get up in the night....

Only then will DLA sit up and treat your application with the respect that it deserves.

Hope this helps.x

1legmummy · 29/01/2011 12:23

Oh my goodness - just an update and hopefully to those still fighting - keep going.

I received the appeal documents last week, this morning out of the blue an award letter after being turned down, reconsideration and appeal arranged.

I had absolutely bombarded them by email (so I had paper trail) pointed out their mistakes and basically said see you in court -although inside I was quacking and seen Doctor for stress.

Ds has been awarded high on both counts, backdated to July 2010.

Just wanted to share news to hopefully spur someone on who is feeling how I did

Lastpost · 29/01/2011 18:35

The best help out there for completing DLA forms for children with physical and mental disabilities is from a website called
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

It costs around £18 to join a year but you will be able to download all the help and guidance packs that explain what each question on the DLA forms means.

For instance the time in minutes if you say it takes anything below 20 mins you will not reach critera for high rate.

the wording 'Supervision' means something diffrent from 'constant care' especially important for those trying to claim DLA for children with ASD.

Part of my job is to help parents complete these awful forms so if I can be of help
I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.

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