**DLA** Oh my goodness SMUG is actually crying - happy crying this time!!!

[smugtandemfeeder]

Just had a phone call from DLA saying they have reassessed the information I sent in and have awarded him high rate care. Oh my bloody goodness. After all that stress and exhaustion and threads on here and set backs and telling me he wasnt entitled to DLA they have given him the highest rate. All for a three year old without a diagnosis.

So the social worker can shove it when she says my son does not have a disability - he has the highest rate of care needs.

I am in shock. I really expected middle rate without a diagnosis, and wasnt sure I would get that even as quite a lot of people here said how hard it would be to prove, even though I know how hard our lives are. Even the contact a family people thought I would get middle rate. Its only a 1 year award but that is good enough for me for now. I couldnt expect more.

So shocked!!!! Very very happy. This will make our live much much better and easier to survive.

Now off to try and get carers allowance backdated and call tax credits.......

Lougle you have started to unblock my muddled mind. Is there anyone I can get to help me present the information in this way or is it down to me? DS now has a letter which says "highly likely to have Aspergers".

He kicked a boy in preschool last week after the boy kicked him. But the school did not write it in his home school book and only told me about the boy kicking him, not that he retaliated. Whenever I raise things like this they say "they all do that" All they do in his home school book is to write what looks like evidence he hasn't got any problems.

Well, I'm not sure about it, tbh. I did my stuff myself, but it's something that doesn't challenge me too much. There are advocates, etc., but they tend to cost money.

You could post about it here, or on another thread for tips, if you wanted.

The thing is, that in theory, all applications should be dealt with in the same way, so if a person isn't massively articulate, they should still get the same treatment on the same evidence. However, it is inevitable that if the evidence is presented in a coherent and easy to follow way, the person reading it is more likely to absorb the key points. So while it isn't essential to have a well-crafted 'document', it can help to send the unwritten message to the LA of 'this person know what they are doing'.

I'd be happy to help, but of course to do that, I'd have to see the evidence. I'm sure there are lots of brilliant people here who would like to help you also.

So, up to you. Either investigate for advocates in your area, post random questions on here as you wade through it, or start a dedicated 'Smug's appeal' thread, so that it's all held together.