Question About DLA/Tax Credits

[IWantTheOneICantHave]

My Autistic/Dyspraxic DS has been getting DLA for several years now, with lower rate mobility and middle rate care.
However, I just got my letter about my new award for him and he's now getting higher rate for care (and still lower mobility) so I get a bit more a week/month. However, I checked to see if there would be a change to the disability component of Tax Credits (to see if I need to inform them) and according to that calculator I'll get less! Is that right? Give with one hand, take with the other?

No that's not right. If you get middle rate dla your child tax credits have a disability premium. If you get higher rate dla your child tax credits get a disability premium and a severe disability premium.

What lougle. Tax credits should go up. I would just ring the TC helpline and let them know about the DLA change.

Even with the lower mobility? Just tried ringing about change in income but I was talking to a robot and she couldn't understand my north east accent. Ended up hanging up...

Mobility doesn't affect tax credits in any way. It is only the care component which counts.

Ok, thank you! Finally got through to somebody, gave me date of 13th August for when I'll get notice of decision by

I'm still confused. According to this (as well as the online calculator I did) a severely disabled child gets £2,000 a year LESS than a moderately disabled one. So I will get less money even though I'm now getting higher rate for care...
www.gingerbread.org.uk/content/795/Benefits-and-tax-credits-rates-for-2013/14

The severe disability element is in addition to the disability element (not instead of it).

That is how I understand it at least.

Yes, it's disability + severe disability. Not either or.

So what do these figures mean? I feel so stupid!

Disabled child £3,015

Severely disabled child £1,220

This adds up to £4235 and it is the maximum amount you can get under TC for a child on high rate care DLA.

however, TC are income dependent and you might not get the full amount.

It means that if your income is less than £6420 you get £4235 extra in your tax credits for each year your child receives DLA at the highest rate. For each £1 of income over £6420 your award is reduced by 41p. Carers allowance counts as income. Your child's DLA does not count as income.