Nervous and unsure about DLA application

[Timewaitsfornobody]

I have been asked to claim DLA for my child. He is only 2 years old and doesn’t have a diagnosis yet. The therapist at the child development unit said I should apply so my son can get 15 funded nursery hours which might help him and will give me a break. I didn’t even know you could get 15 hours nursery if the child gets DLA. My son doesn’t sleep well, he averages 3 hours awake each night in the middle of the night and the development unit says he has sensory issues and communication delays / differences. The therapist wants me to apply straight away and wrote out the relevant page for ‘evidence from a professional’ whilst we were at the appointment so I can submit it with the claim form.
My son is hard work. Much more so than other two year olds (he isn’t my first child and he is nothing like any other two year olds I know). But all 2 year olds need a lot of help and supervision.
Is it worth me applying for DLA? I don’t want to spend several days filling the form in and destroying myself in the process if it is likely to be refused but I really could do with the nursery hours and I cannot afford to pay for any nursery myself as I am currently not working and we are surviving on one wage.
Does anybody get DLA for a 2 year old who doesn’t yet have a diagnosis?

That’s good. Get on to portage ASAP (most helpful thing we have done by far), their initial assessment will be very valuable if you need to apply again if you’re not successful this time. If you’re turned down, do the mandatory consideration. If you’re still refused and you have new evidence by then, make a new claim and be sure to use things like the Cerebra DLA guide which is so useful.

I really wasn’t sure twin 1 would be eligible as his needs are less than twin 2, but he also got middle rate care and for much longer, but he had the ASD diagnosis when we applied for him.

Just a little note to add.. if you get to the point where you are reapplying completely, look into charity help! Weve filled out Personal Independence Payment forms for DH easy, but the DLA forms looked a whole new level of scary. We were pointed to families in focus, who sent someone out to sit and fill the form in with me! Knew what to ask me, what to write down etc! My son is 4 and has an ASD diagnosis, but we got DLA first time, no appeals.
Charities are there for a reason, if you have families in focus in your area or something similar, use them! Helped so much! :)
Good luck xx

I got dla middle rate care i was awarded it last week 25 September so it took just over 8 weeks. I am relieved as i didnt think I'd get it i am now going to apply for child tax credit disabled element. She doesn't get the mobility part as shes not yet 5 she was awarded it for 5 years which is a massive help.

Op, I'd advise you to phone your council and find out who is the SEND manager for the borough for under 5s. Then ask them directly if you have to have DLA in order to get the free 2 year old hours. In my borough, they didn't require DLA but they did require a supporting statement evidence from a professional - which it sounds like your speech therapist would completely support - so it's worth asking the council directly. Even if a health visitor or nursery manager tell you it has to be DLA, it's worth double checking with the council as they often have complex rules . Good luck!

I would contact Home Start as well, they are able to support families who have children under 5 and are experiencing difficulties. I was ill when DS was 3 and having my lovely volunteers to take him to the park while I was in bed was a god send.

Health Visitor or GP can refer or ring them yourself. Tell health professionals you are struggling and need help. To be so tired and have no respite could mean you fall asleep and DS could get into all sorts of bother (I had stair gates all over the house for this reason).

Thank you everybody who has replied. I haven’t been back here for a while due to not having any spare moments.
Just wanted to update.
We got DLA awarded. I haven’t had a letter yet but we have money from DLA in my bank account. I’m both relieved that I don’t need to appeal and upset because it makes my child’s additional needs seem more real somehow.
we have asked for portage but have been told that the waiting list is horrendous in our area.
We have occupational therapy involved and they have been helpful and we have been given a place for one session a week at a local playgroup for children with additional needs. I can now ask about going on the waiting list for some sessions at the regions resourced nursery which will be a big help if we get it. We have been offered other specialist appointments but I haven’t been able to attend as they are parent only appointments and we currently have no childcare because our child isn’t in nursery. It feels like a ridiculous circle.

I can now afford to buy some of the things recommended by occupational therapy and the equipment team which will hopefully help us.

So glad that DLA was awarded with no extra hassle. One less thing on the list.

Could you find a child minder so you can get to the appts? You are free to spend DLA however you want, so if you need to get to those appts then don't feel bad about paying for day/half a day's care.

That’s a good idea kisstheteapot. The appointments were offered prior to getting the DLA through so I hadn’t thought about it. The main reason for applying for DLA was to get childcare hours so I am more than happy to pay for a childminder with it.

Good luck with it all Time. Hope things begin to move forward a bit now.

We got DLA awarded this year (DS is almost 10, we hadn't realised we could apply until now!) and its a big help - we have got a dyslexia tutor and are paying for horse riding (RDA) and now looking at IT stuff like e reader pens as well as a weighted blanket - these would have been a real stretch for us financially before. It does cost more to bring up a child with extra needs (I totted up we must have spent £1500 on continence stuff over the years, never mind piles of extra washing!)

It makes a real difference to have a pot of money we can spend in support of DS.

Thank you kisstheteapot. To be honest I wouldn’t have applied if the speech therapist had not insisted that I did because I just kept thinking he was too little even though o know he requires significantly more care than other children his age.
I have ordered a weighted blanket and some vibrating cushions and toys today and I have been out and bought some toys recommended by OT. I hadn’t even realised that I was holding back so much from buying things my child needs to help him with his difficulties because of finances. We do obviously spend money buying things he needs but I have been able to order more costly items all at once instead of waiting.

Did you get DLA in the end? I’m in same boat

Yes, he got high rate care and then at renewal he got high rate care and low rate mobility . It was such a relief.

I'm in a similar situation my little girl is 2 years old next month but when looking at the forms a lot of stuff she can't do as she's still so young she wouldn't be able to manage washing, bathing, getting dressed and undressed etc. I'm wondering how others answered this?