what would you do?

[jenk1]

i applied for dla for dd and got the lower rate.

I appealed as her condition should warant middle or even higher, this morning i got a letter saying that they wouldnt change their mind but that i can go to an appeal if i want.

DD has various food allergies,asthma,eczema and has this week been diagnosed with development delay.

Do i appeal and add the development delay in as well or will they not accept this as new evidence and is it worth going to an appeal when they have reconsidered and left her award at the lower rate?

TIA

No idea about the appeal process Jenk1, and sorry that you are having to go through all this

However, my ds2 has been awarded middle rate dla because of his developmental delay alone (he is 2, but has the language skills of a 6 month old and cognitive skills of a 12 month old) - how badly is your dd delayed?. Have you had anyone help you fill the form in before?? There really is a knack for filling the form in...there is no room for any positives..you have to really tell them how it is for you..a blow by blow account in fact. Your health visitor should be able to guide you? Good Luck.

she is 18months old and has only just started to crawl, she doesnt weight bear at all and cant roll over or lift her head from the floor, she cant get up when lay down and if you try and put her on her front she screams, the paediatrician told me that she has something wrong with her legs and has referred her to physio for that.

I would definitely add her new diagnosis on your appeal letter. I was advised that if any new evidence emerged to ring up and inform them even though it was after I had sent my appeal letter. Good luck.

For my DLA reconsideration I consulted with the health visitor and compiled a list of age-appropriate milestones, comparing J's developmental problems with the age by which he should have achieved them. The initial claim was rejected on the grounds that his development was within the normal range for a child of his age, so I set out to disprove that.

When claiming DLA it's important to keep an open mind and not focus solely on one particular dx. A friend whose son has AS (and more severe behavioural issues than my ds) failed to win an award based on his AS but got it for eczema and other allergies. I guess it works the other way around too. The focus should be on the amount of additional time and attention the child needs over and above what would be expected for any other child of the same age, so that should include ALL aspects of care even if they don't relate to the primary dx. Jot it all down, include a daily diary of care if you think it relevant, and keep at 'em till you get what you deserve.

How's she doing now, btw?

It is always worth appealing as a high number of customers win at appeal.

i did compare how dd is in regard to other 18month olds i did a timetable as well but they still said they are not willing to change their decision.

Ive already asked for a reconsideration so the only other step is to go to appeal and im not sure if it would be worth doing so.

karen- she,s a lot better than she was, she just isnt eating much but i suppose that will come in a couple of days because she has been very poorly, thanks for asking

has anyone been to an appeal before?