DLA/PIP for age 16 +

[hoxtonbabe]

Morning,

I have just received a letter from DLA, it is going on about my DS now handling his own affairs and I'm not sure what to do

Im not sure what category to put him so to speak. For instance, he will physically be able to fill in the form, there isn't anything wrong with his writing, but he will not necessarily understand the questions without me assisting him, things like address, DOB, he is fine with, questions like how does your disability effect you will be clueless to him as he doesn't see anything wrong, not being able to think out the box is "normal" to him, his inability to fully grasp questions that are being posed to him or starting sentences midway and expecting people to know what he is talking about is all normal, and don't get me started on his social issues, but again to him all this is normal, having to have to assist him for a good few weeks until he is used to the traveling to new areas is all part and parcel of his needs ( local or areas and the journey to school is fine as it is a routine he is used to).. these are just some of the issues.

Naturally I want him to be as independent as possible and he is quite good with looking after his money with regards to not spending frivolously , its things like being able to understand what he is signing/lettting himself in for, looking at his statement to make sure the money in the account is correct, i will have to assist him in opening his own personal bank account, but his memory is not so great so remembering the pin will be fun unless he uses 1234 or something rather simple, but once he does remember it, he will be fine.

I'm really confused??

What we did is for me to be my DS2's appointee for now (he was 16 in June) and we will review it when he is 18.

My son is less able (from what you have put) but nevertheless I felt it fair to go, ok he can't do it now, but lets review at 18. DS2 couldn't fill in a form or talk to the DWP on the phone, that's for sure.

They sent out someone who came and talked to me, and to him, and were quite happy for me to manage his stuff for now. They will review it again at 18, where tbh I am sure I will have to continue to be his appointee, but at least I felt I was giving him the chance to be magically cured

Hmmm, Im going to have to research this a bit more. thanks medusa

I think the question you need to ask yourself is 'would my son be capable of dealing single-handedly with the DWP?'

If he would be capable of filling in the form correctly, ensuring it was sent back in time to the right person, capable of answering any DWP queries that mat arise etc, then he is capable of managing his own affairs.

If he couldn't do all of the above then he needs help and as the DWP will only deal with him and not you, he needs to make you his Appointee - so you can deal with the DWP.

The DLA payments themselves are a quite different issue. Those can be paid into his own bank account for him to choose what to do with even though you are his DWP Appointee. If he's not frivolous with money then he should have control of his own money.

If you need to help him deal with the actual banking he'll have to write to his bank asking them to deal with you on his behalf as his third part agent and DWP Appointee. If he has to phone the bank he xan go through verification of his personal details and ask the bank staff to talk to you.

What makes you think I've been there, done that....

Thats really helpful wet,

He wouldn't have a clue with dealing with DWP! I can just about figure them out, lol. My worry is that where he is quite easily influenced/vunerable that his class mates may try and get cash out of him as they have tried it on before with his bog standard spending money let alone when he has £100's.