DLA at 16

[starterfor10]

Do they automatically reassess children when they reach 16?
I am a bit confused about this as some people seem to think they do. We only got DLA for DS when he was 15 and he is now 16.
No one has written to say he must be reassessed but we do have to say whether he can manage hs own affairs now he is 16.

I don't know if they do or not but it should tell you on your award letter how long you have before the next assessment. If you can't find it just give them a ring.

starterfor10 My DD (16) was reassessed for DLA at end of last summer as her previous award had been made til the day before her 16th birthday. As bigcar says you will need to check the award letter. We also had to say whether DD could manage her own affairs - which she can't - so they sent someone out to check and to fill in a form to officially appoint me as her representative to receive/apply for her benefits.

bigbluebus was the form easier to do at 16? I ask because I've heard something about if the young person can't make a meal they qualify automatically?

vjg13 No sorry it wasn't any easier than the child DLA forms. It does have a section on preparing/cooking a meal, but still has all the other repetitive questions as well. I'm afraid it took me 3 weeks to complete DD's as I got depressed/bored every time I picked it up - not because of DD's disability but because of the vast amounts of info it required. It was granted v quickly though (DD is severely disabled so was cut and dried case) but then when she turned 16, applied for Employment and Support Allowance for her which involved filling in another 2 forms with all the same info and more besides!!!
Sorry if I'm the bearer of bad news.

The award doesn't have a date, just "we may look at your case from time to time".

starterfor10 Assume then that as your DS was 15 when DLA granted they decided to treat him as if he was a nearly 16 yr old re-applying. DD's last award letter says similar to yours which presumably means thay will check from time time time if she still qualifies for same rate with perhaps just a tick box letter (like they do for Carer's allowance). It also covers them for when they start re assessing all adults (in 2013) if they go ahead with the proposed changes from DLA to PIP (consultation closed 14/2). That may of course involve more form filling and possibly a medical assessment but I'm hoping that DD won't have to go through that as the ESA dept have just exempted her from providing repeat medical certificates in view of the nature of her disabilities.

sounds like you have an indefinite award then

Bigbluebus, thanks for that. My daughter is only 13 so I've got 3 years until I do the adult form and who knows what the sysytem will be then!

Just looked at the NAS website. They have a form that can bee filled in and sent alongside the official adult form to provide additional information.

My Daughter was assessed at 12yrs ,and is due to be reassessed this month before her 18th
birthday,we are hoping it will be for life,but I don't know if they do that anymore ?