Woohoo - ds awarded DLA :-)

[amynnixmum]

I applied for DLA for ds last year and we returned the forms last nov. Yesterday afternoon I worked out that it had been 8 weeks and we still hadn't heard anything so I was a bit worried and decided I would ring them this morning. Then yesterday evening I went through a pile of paperwork and found a brown enevelope with DWP on it - it was from the DLA telling us that ds was being awarded middle rate for the care component It was dated 13/12 so it must have come at xmas and I just chucked it unopened on the paperwork pile without a second thought. Turns out they paid us a lump sum before xmas and we didn't even notice. I am so glad I found the letter before I rang up to have a moan about how long they were taking
And best of all we can now afford to get ds music therapy

Congratulations!

If you get Tax Credits make sure you phone them and let them know. You will then be entitled to extra money.

Thanks Coppertop - i didn't know that. Will ring them as soon as I drag myself off mn

You can also claim cares allowance too if you dont earn over £82 a week, does'nt matter how much tour dp/dh earn as you are the carer

Congratulations, my ds was awarded middle rate last month too.

Just to add, child tax credits are quite generous I was shocked by ow much extra I am getting, even rang to query it, they assure me it is correct.

we go refused extra tax credits!
Depends on income I think.
Carers allowance wil be awarded quickly now too.

Yes I claimed Carers allowance on line, had the money in my bank within a week.

yes, we rung about tax credits as we thought we were getting too much per week!!!!

They said it's because you have a disabled child

Thankyou so much CT for telling me about the tax credits. I can't believe how much they give you It doubles the amount we were getting for the DLA alone. We used to only get the lowest rate for tax credits so this extra money is going to make a huge difference to us I am a complete headcase now and i'm going to have to do something to calm myself down - maybe i'll spring clean the house.

Waterfalls - I'm not working at all at the moment so would I qualify for carers allowance? Ds only gets the care component not the mobility. How would I find out/ apply?

Hurray!

The extra tax credits made a huge difference to us too. I think I was ready to do cartwheels when I saw the increased amount.

amynnixmum

I only get the care component too, yes you will be entitled too carers allowance, and they will backdate it upto 3 months, it is normally around £45 a week

Give me a moment, I will give you a link to the Website.

here it is
give me a shout if you need a hand filling it in, though it is pretty straight forward.

Thanks waterfalls - I have just submitted the form Ds is 5 and in school fulltime but I worked out that I still look after him for 50+ hours a week so here hoping.

thanks guys - didnt know about this benifit - just put my form in - fingers crossed.
Why doesnt anyone ever tell you about these things?

Jo

That's what I was thinking JoJo.
If it wasn't for mn and all the lovely people here (especially the ones from the SN board) I wouldn't know about any of this. Someone from MN told me to apply for DLA after reading about ds problems but none of the many professionals that have been involved with him over the last year mentioned it at all. Thanks to people here we can now afford to give ds some of the things he needs.
Hurray for MN

amynnixmum

My ds is also in full time school and almost 5, I dont think tou will have any problems getting carers allowance