DLA... Do you need a diagnosis to apply?

[lottiejenkins]

My friends son has delayed development, he is three years old and has a delay of about fifteen months, she hasnt got a firm diagnosis yet, can she apply for DLA now or does she have to wait for a diagnosis?

no dx needed

She can apply now.

Although I did find that in cases like this they seem to be more willing to give it you after the child is 5 as they say all children up to 5 need 24/7 care (obviously unless a serious condition).

Definitely apply now - but the application form will ask questions about what medical professionals etc he is seeing and also asks I think for someone who knows the child (ideally a medical professional does the trick) to write about the child and his/her condition. So your friend will need to have someone support the application even if there isnt a firm diagnosis.
I dont think the age is a problem - depends what aspect of development is delayed - if the child needs help with eating or the toilet or something like that by the age of 3 or is unable to communicate/socialise then I think you would get DLA. If it is less clear cut then it is still worth a try.

It's a bit hit and miss isn't it really. My DC wasn't given it until he was over 5 even though he needed help with toilet, dressing, eating.

My best friends niece has an illness where she has fits 12 times a day, 24 hour care at 5. She has had to appeal and everything, I think it's very unfair.

DS3 gets care at higher rate without a DX (he may never get one mind, and we did have to take it to tribunal)

he's 4.5 now, I think the tribunal being held after he turned 4 helped- somehow a school aged child in nappies / no personal care skills (apart from eating, he's good at that) seems more noticeable than a 3 year old?

(Interestingly he nly gets DLA absed on his personal care needs- the lack of communication etc isn't considered a factor yet apaprently,)

My DD first received DLA at 18 months and wasn't diagnosed until she was nearly 3. We had to re-apply just before her 5th birthday and DLA is now in place until she is nearly 9 at which time we will have to re-apply.

Luckily for me, the first time we applied it was at the suggestion of our portage worker and she helped fill in the form for me. When I had to re-apply she kindly came round (although we were not having portage any more) and, again, helped fill it in for me.

What I cannot understand is how it is awarded very easily to some and others have such difficulty. There seem to be no set rules in place, as far as I can make out.

Theres a good website that gives you advice on how to fill out the forms. I shall have a look through the archive and try to find it for you.

Look here

The guides are long but I really don't think ds would have got DLA if I hadn't followed their advice.

I agree bumble. We were turned down, then I applied again with a letter from teacher, turned down again. I applied a year later, got it no probs at all. She will get it now til she's 11, then reapply I presume.

How do they decide when they have to reapply?

Thankyou for all your help i'll pass the messages onto my friend! She doesnt come on here and as i've had a lot of help from people when my son was small i feel that its my turn now to support someone in a similar position to the one i was in a few years ago.........