Will this trigger dla review?

[upsidedownfrown]

Hi, my son was 10 in Jan, was awarded dla in summer 2016.

He was awarded mrc and lrm. The award letter states the award is until 2025 so when he's about to turn 17 (I think. I always get muddled when working out how old someone will be in a given year... he was born jan 08)

Anyway, in the depths of the letter somewhere I remember it saying they may review at any time.

Im moving house in a couple of weeks and will obv inform them of this. Will this be enough to trigger a review?

Not horrendously worried about it as in some ways, it's easier to prove more care needs now he's 10 but it's a stress I would obviously rather not have. Moving house with a child with autism isnt fun at the best of times. It would also financially hurt if they lowered his dla as I get the disability element of tax credits and carers allowance.

Please someone reassure me it's a complete non-worry situation!

I'm pretty certain it won't as they've basically awarded him until 2025. They always state "may review at anytime" but that's standard for cases when theyve had reason to suspect its a false claim due to a public anonymous tip off (sadly due to people lying & faking documents etc) or a new Government was elected and wanted to rename/change the benefit system as a whole. At the absolute most they may just ask/send a small form for you to detail whether the new house poses any extra risks (i.e location, No of stairs) or does it help (less stairs, bathroom closer, secured garden with 6ft fence etc). There may be pro's and con's of course with the new house. This is where it's important you word it correctly for example There are 15 less steps throughout the new property, This helps although there are still 16 steps which he needs constant supervision to walk up and down. This takes on average 20 mins (I'm saying 20 mins as the form should be based on "worst day" and the questions are "marked" to what level DLA - eg low rate & what "qualifies" a ✔ middle rate & what qualifies a ✔ etc. This is a useful site, however advisors at Citizens Advice have access to a wealth of information, even the stress of completing any DLA forms whether a new full application or a simple query like yours they will know or be able to find out. The drop in service at my local Citizens Advice is usually an hour or so wait so I prefer to prebook an appointment plus that way I can speak to the best advisor so make sure you ask for an adviser with the most experience/knowledge for a DLA enquiry on a "in date & approved DLA benefit" All advisors are capable of DLA forms & queries, it's just some advisors have more expertise than others (my adviser worked with special needs kids for years & a Nurse, some specialise in debt, family law etc. Sorry if I'm repeating myself or stating the obvious but it's these small things that through my own experience I've learned - bit like if you don't ask you don't get (my 9 year old son is autistic he gets HR Care and LR Mob) Only other reason to review it would be if there is a change in your financial situation with the new house which would impact the benefit entitlement for any benefits you claim - if the answers no then there should be no issue. Plus DLA is awarded for your son, it's not a income related benefit. Once they've confirm your concerns and IF anything even needs to be done (like a 1 page pros and cons of new house) the adviser will sit in a private room with you and they will fill it in (discussing fully with yourself of course) but they are experts compared to the public at what wording to use, what info should be given etc as they have a brief plus lots of info on what each question must have to pass and at what level ie middle rate or high rate. I've always filled in my son's DLA forms with Citizens Advice as they basically know what your child has to qualify each level and for each component (care & mobility) This is a useful site on what the criteria is to meet each level for each component. Good luck I'm sure it'll be fine ☺

contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/money-benefits-work-and-childcare/benefits-and-tax-credits/tips-on-completing-the-dla-form/