DLA with medium allowance for care component

[afnoor]

Hi all,
I have a 4 yr old with gross motor delay who can't stand or walk or feed herself or get on to the toilet etc. She was awarded the high rate for the mobility component of the DLA but not for the care component. I applied when she was 3yrs old . Do I need to speak to the DLA as she has turned 4yrs this May and is still much the same in terms of the care she needs. I am her full time carer. How can I argue with the DLA to increase her care component to high?it is a difference of £108 per month that she should be getting and I want to know what criteria do they consider when awarding children the high rate of care component ?
Thanks

How does she sleep at night? That's what will determine if she gets high rate care.

Hi lougle,

She sleeps with me in my bed so whenever she gets up I'm always there to comfort her...otherwise no issues.. touchwood

That's the reason you don't get high rate care then, afnoor. To get high rate care your child has to wake frequently for periods of over 20 minutes through the night, or once for a longer period, on at least 5 out of 7 days.

People tend to think that the DLA care component demonstrates how severe a disability is, but it doesn't. 'Severe' disablement is indicated by getting either middle rate care or higher rate care. The only difference between the two is whether the person sleeps at night. In fact, if the person doesn't need masses of care in the day time but needs lots of care at night, then often middle rate care is still awarded. To get high rate care there need to be care needs in day and night.