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SN children

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Original poster

Super duper fast DLA decision

16 replies

2boysandadog9 · 03/02/2017 18:10

I don't talk to many people in RL about DS's difficulties, so I just need to share our experience with DLA application somewhere!

We had our verbal dx on the 8th December, they DP recommended applying for DLA so I called the same day to get the application.
The cut of date to return it was the 19th of January - the same day we had our official dx. I didn't send the form back until the 19th as I though I may have been given a written dx (which I wasn't) but just thought oh well, we might not get it anyway as DS is only 28 months old.
I had a call last Wednesday 26th to say the only got the form on the 23rd and to ask why it was late, which I explained...
Low and behold today there was money in my account backdated - MRC.
So realistically it took them 11 days to award it.
I was so surprised as he is still young, but I guess he does require constant supervision, day and night, much more than a NT child his age.
We are doing a very part time ABA program which is soooo expensive for us, so the extra money will really help.

OP posts:

coffeemachine · 03/02/2017 18:16

wow, that is super fast. hope this is a general trend rather than a one off.

DD has ASD, chromosome disorder and severe learning diffs and it took a tribunal application (and the grand total of 8 montns) to get DLA. soon have to renew again and dreading it but reading such posts fills me with a bit of hope.

Original poster

2boysandadog9 · 03/02/2017 19:10

I hope it is a trend too! I read so much about how hard it can be to get DLA for children on the spectrum and also for young kids I was genuinely shocked.
The woman who called me was so lovely, plus I had had a particually rough night with DS and was so tired I could barely speak, meanwhile he was wailing in the background while DS1 was badgering me to get his breakfast - all of which probably helped as she heard it all!
It seems crazy that it took you 8 months and a tribunal! I hope that it was a while ago and people are more educated in terms of ASD and the challenges it brings.

OP posts:

coffeemachine · 03/02/2017 19:20

a couple of years a ago so not that long but great you got there without battle.

if you got middle or high rare care you will also qualify for carers allowance if you don't work or earn below £110.

and let tax credits know (you get the disability element which increases your award)

zzzzz · 03/02/2017 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

youarenotkiddingme · 03/02/2017 19:59

That's great. Hope it's a sign of things to come.

The forms are bloody sole destroying to fill out and waiting is horrendous!

FrayedHem · 03/02/2017 20:00

Brilliant news! I think DS1's took about a year due to a series of reconsiderations and the DWP losing the paperwork. I didn't attempt to renew when it lapsed, but it was so helpful during the preschool/reception years.

Original poster

2boysandadog9 · 03/02/2017 21:14

Thanks for the tip about carer's and tax credit coffeemachine, I will definitely look into it.

I really hope it is a sign of change. I have a friend with severe mental health problems and had/is having such an awful time with DLA/PIP/ESA etc.. the DWP are known for being so difficult and slow I almost choked on my tea when I saw my bank statement.

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Heytheredelilah1987 · 03/02/2017 21:32

Wow that's fab 2 boys! I filled ours out a couple of weeks back and had the text yesterday to say it's been received. I really hope we get something as the waiting lists are diabolical here for assessments and portage and speech therapy- so I'd use it to pay privately for speech therapy. I hope we hear back soon. Ds isn't even diagnosed but the paed urged me to apply and wrote in the briefing letter from his first meeting with her that she feels it's necessary I apply for it as he needs much more care than others his age (something like that anyway) I was grateful she did that as I certainly hadn't expected her to never mind ask her to! So fingers x. Private speech therapy could make the world of difference to ds.

Original poster

2boysandadog9 · 03/02/2017 22:32

I know, I'm so chuffed. I really wasn't sure if they would award it considering he is pretty young. I only had his speech and language assessment as supporting evidence, but it was quite thorough and as his understanding is so limited I think it must have helped. A letter from the paed should help for sure.
The extra money is so helpful for him, we did 3 private speech therapy sessions back in June, which was great and I learned some good tips. We were referred by HV in may for NHS salt and only got his first block of 6 sessions in November... the waiting is hard, especially when I all I read is 'early intervention is so important'
DS was referred for music therapy and OT in December after his multi-disciplinary assessment, apparently it's a 9 month wait........ the NHS is amazing, but so underfunded.
Good luck with your application! X

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Heytheredelilah1987 · 04/02/2017 06:39

Thanks 2 boys. Argh don't get me started on the waiting. It's negligence. If a Mother didn't act promptly to her child's illness it would be deemed as so. So why it's ok for our NHS to leave our kids waiting so long for everything? I am not NHS bashing either - it's not their fault and they're amazing. It's funding as per. I actually have an apt next month with our local mp about it. I'm so dissapointed

UserOO7 · 04/02/2017 20:38

Oh,mine was received on Jan5th but only today I got a letter asking for her birth certificate, never occurred to me but as I've never claimed child benefit for her they have no record of her

Original poster

2boysandadog9 · 04/02/2017 20:58

I forgot to say, aside from ASD he has a pretty high prescription for glasses +5. This may also have been a factor?
When they ask in the form for all the doctors he has seen - I had GP, speech therapy, DP and opthamologist. I don't know if they contacted them but when he had his sight tested they had to put drops in to dialate his pupils... let's just say it took 3 people to hold him and he was very very agitated.
If they did contact them I'm sure they would have remembered how much more supervision and care he needs.
Good luck UserOO7 x

OP posts:

UserOO7 · 04/02/2017 21:34

Thanks, I've submitted epilepsy clinic, salt, social comm reports, teacher of deaf and dietician so I was hoping for easy! I never did at diagnosis but I finally got up the balls

UserOO7 · 03/03/2017 12:20

I got a letter saying sorry it'd been so long dated 26th then the next day dated 27th awarding mid rate.

QueenOfTheCatBastards · 03/03/2017 13:11

My middle child's award was turned around in 11 days too, just about a year ago.

I need to fill out the youngest's form now and I'm losing the will to keep going. I don't want the money really, but more doors are opened when you're in receipt of that magic benefit.

Good luck to everyone waiting.

crazybat · 03/03/2017 19:59

My 'received' text was the 6th of feb. Still nothing. I think i have a fight on my hand. No diagnosis. Just behavioural reports as of now. Need the money to get the diagnosis and private therapy. Today he stabbed someone in the head with a pencil! Because he kicked him. Hes so blasé about it. Trying for pda diagnosis. Sorry off on a tangent. Great news op xx

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