should we recieve benefits?

[Debsbabe]

Hello all me again

Just wondered if any of you know whether we can recieve benefits for Cameron? Who has Downs syndrome. I have read enough to figure that i cant get help until he is 3 months! but do any of you know what i should be able to claim?

We are currently on Income Support as DH has a badly injured knee and is under going physio then in a few months a knee op so we are not in a great shape for money and now we have to keep getting Cameron down the hospital. It would be nice to recieve something to help with the travel costs.

Love Debbie and Cameron 16 days old xxxx

I'm fairly sure that when you're on IS that you can claim back the cost of travel to the hospital. There's usually a little office in the hospital that deals with it.

You should also soon be able to claim Disability Living Allowance. There are a few threads about this on here. I'm pretty sure that Thomcat got this for her dd fairly early on. The amount you get will depend upon which rate they put you on (Higher/Middle/Lower).

I forgot to add that if you receive child tax credits (which you should do if on IS) then you get an extra 'top-up' for Cameron if you are awarded DLA for him.

Hi Debs, I am also on IS as DH has a badly injuried knee and am waiting for the results of a MRI scan, so we know if they are going to operate or now, I have 2 disabled kids, and DS has to go to Great Ormond street a lot, we are able to claim back the train fare while we are there, we have to ask the doctor we are seeing to fill in a form and then we take it to an office within the hospital and they give the cash back.
You can claim CTC, and as soon as he is three months old you can claim DLA and Carers Alllowence, and then your CTC will increase as they give extra allowences to children on DLA.
If you need anymore help, you can CAT me.

debbie, it might be hard to prove that he has needs substantially over and above those of an ordinary baby at this point, particularly as he seems to be of good health. It would be different if he turned out to have a serious heart defect, but it doesn't sound at all as though that is the case (fingers crossed! X). It'd probably be worth waiting until he is around a year and then additional needs become more apparent, such as mobility, safety awareness and self-help with feeding, playing etc.
Have a look on the DSA website , they have a very good section on claiming DLA.
We have been receiving the higher rate of DLA since dd was 5 months old, but then she was tube fed, on oxygen and loads of heart meds, so it's a different kettle of fish.

Have you claimed a maternity grant yet? I think it's called the Surestart Maternity Grant but I could be wrong. There's a small form to be filled in and then you are entitled to a minimum of £250. If your income is less than a certain amount you get £500. You need to apply before Cameron is 3 months old. This grant is for all mothers, rather than just those with children with SN.

There's also the possibility of applying to the Family Fund. They send someone out to meet you and talk about the kinds of things you might need. Once you have been approved you can apply each year. They help with things like holidays, clothes, washing machines, bedding etc. I don't know if there is a minimum age or not but it may be worth looking into.

here is more info on help with travel costs
What I wrote below refers to DLA

Please don't feel put off applying for DLA just because Cameron seems to have good health. I know there are no set rules as some get higher rate, some get low rate and some have to fight to get anything at all.
DD is in good health,although she did have a moderate hearing loss first the 1st year. I claimed when she was 3 months and have been on highest rate and CA practically since then.
I am no expert by far, but I have helped a few mums out with some ideas of what I put. If you need another point of view, please feel free to CAT.
At the end of the day, even the routine hospital appointments, physio, speech & lang work that you can carry out at home... should all be taken into consideration, and should be a strong case that the care you are giving Cameron is much more than what you would give another child of his age....
You ARE entitled to it.

Thanks i may need to take you up on that help I have no idea where to start or what to apply for! or how! I dont know to wait until Cameron is over 3 months or to just apply now. All this is so confusing.

Love Debbie and Cameron 19 days old xxxx

with regards to DLA forms- I got forms when dd was 4 months, had them sitting in the desk for a while- not really knowing what to put and waiting for the time and inspiration to get them out and complete.
From what I remember the forms are date stamped from when you first request them, and if you return the forms by the second date stamped on your forms, they will backpay you from the date you first claimed. I think it gives you about 6 weeks to complete them and get them returned.
Oh dear, that doesn't sound very clear!
I wouldn't personally try claiming before 3 months although I have heard of others who have done so sucessfully!!

debbie, it might also be worth ringing the DSA, they have benefits advisors etc who will be able to give you lots of info on all the different types of benefits you might be eligible for. Also, carers' organisations, such as Carers' Resource, are very useful. For instance, we get 3 hours per month free babysitting, our sitter is trained and police checked by them. They also organised for me to get funding for a part-time postgraduate course I am doing - this was not means-tested at all, just by being a carer I was eligible for a grant which covers my full course fees. There's a lot of money out there you just need help accessing it.