could we claim dla for dd?

[trace2]

am new to eveything thats happing, and i would like dd to be ok, but at the moment shes not, shes 15 weeks old since she was 2 weeks old shes been having sezurs, no idea why or whats causing them, she is in and out of hospital every time she as one where some times its loads of clusters or she goes about a week to 10 days befor having an other , as we dont know whats up with her but she needs looking after more than babys her own age could we claim? its just cosing us a fortune in running car up to hospital all the time and dh is on sick as hes so worried he dare not leave her.

Hi trace2,

DLA is made up of 2 parts, which are mobility and care.

You are unlikely to get mobility for your dd because of her age and what's wrong with her, but it is still worth applying because you might get the care component.

Try to get help filling in the forms, as they are very long and you have to say how things are on the worst kind of day for your dd. Also, take copies of the form in case the DWP lose it (seriously)

HTH, someone else will be along in a bit that can help more!

thank you i did think that but oh i dont know just wish i was rice and didnt need to

the key part of DLA is EXACTLY what you said....
"she needs looking after more than babys her own age"......
regardless of what the difficulty is...its all about comparisons to what is considered 'normal' for the age.

so go for it!

i hope someone on here can help you a bit more though- maybe point you to a website that advises on DLA in this situation.

Hi again,

I mentioned the mobility part before because my dd has heart and mobility problems and her claim was rejected when she was 2. The DWP argued that at 2, most children would still have to use a buggy to get around and need near constant supervision when they're awake.

She has only recently got DLA and is now 4.

In your dd's case, you will really have to stress that she needs constant supervision day AND night, that is more than any other child of the same age would need (for example, that someone has to stay awake to watch her in case she has a seizure).

Sadly, it could still take several months for them to look at your claim. If you are short of money now, maybe you'd qualify for a crisis loan or something like that while you wait for the DLA to get sorted out? A few of the other Mums on here know more about that than me, sorry I can't be more help

than you all, i really do need help to how tyo claim

anymore with info please

There was a thread with dla info and advice a while back - hope it helps.

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1373&threadid=383513#7824999

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1373&threadid=383513#7824999

In my (amateur) opinion you should certainly be able to claim for DLA and then carer's allowance. She received DLA until recently (she was very poorly when she was born). My DD2 got DLA from when she was three months old (that is the earliest you can claim from I believe). CAB will give you help filling in forms if you need it or ask your health visitor.

My experience is that claims are processed pretty quickly - within a couple of weeks.

There are some really good guides to completing DLA forms available on line. Make sure that you get support from your DD's consultant and that the people whose details you give in the pack are up to date with her condition.

I know how exhausting it is coping with a newborn who is seriously ill and I hope that things improve for you soon. You must be worried sick.

Patsy x