Universal credit

[AmyKnow]

So my son has just had his dla granted today.
As I'm on universal credit I've been advised to do my change of circumstances with them to get the disabled/child element of them has anyone been successful in having that backdated?
Also I currently have to pay bedroom tax as they say my sons can share a room although they can't due to my youngest needs can I get that overturned? And would that be universal credit I take that up with?
Many thanks

You won't automatically be entitled to an additional bedroom just because DS is now in receipt of DLA. He would need to be getting MRC or HRC and you need DWP to accept an additional bedroom is necessary. You could apply for discretionary housing payments if you are refused.

The disabled child element will be backdated to the start of the DLA award as long as you inform UC within a month of being notified of the award. You should also tell them you are a carer, if you haven't already. Also, you won't be subject to the benefits cap now.

If you haven't already you should apply for a family fund grant.

@10brokengreenbottles

You won't automatically be entitled to an additional bedroom just because DS is now in receipt of DLA. He would need to be getting MRC or HRC and you need DWP to accept an additional bedroom is necessary. You could apply for discretionary housing payments if you are refused.

The disabled child element will be backdated to the start of the DLA award as long as you inform UC within a month of being notified of the award. You should also tell them you are a carer, if you haven't already. Also, you won't be subject to the benefits cap now.

If you haven't already you should apply for a family fund grant.

Thanks for your reply I understand of getting the Carers element and disabled child element through universal credit I'm just awaiting my letter to notify them it was the bedroom tax I was unsure as I've heard a few different stories my housing accepted me when I was pregnant with DS I have another child less than a year older my youngest room is literally a box and we've had to remove everything out of it cause he's dangerous he can't be in his room with his brother due to this but who would I take it up with universal credit?

Yes, see this link.

Has DS had an OT assessment?

@10brokengreenbottles

Yes, see this link.

Has DS had an OT assessment?

His last appointment was his paediatrician where she said once he starts nursery her team will go in to evaluate him (ot physio psychiatric etc) he's on the waiting list to see the social communication pathway but that's 12-14 month wait but as I've seen the peads he could possibly be seen sooner

Ask the LA for an OT assessment. They can help with things like a safe space bed, and their assessment will help you show separate bedrooms are necessary.

@10brokengreenbottles
So they awarded him his own room so no longer have to pay the taxes for his room I put in for the carers and disabled child element nearly 2 weeks ago and heard nothing do you know how long this takes?
I've asked it to be backdated from the start of his dla claim as advised of my friend who got hers backdated just wondering how long that normally takes

There's no set time it takes, however long it takes them to act on the message in your journal. Usually it is by the next payment or the next but one. Personally, as your message hasn't even been acknowledged I would chase it up so that it isn't missed.

Hey. Look at the universal credit essentials website or join there fab Facebook group. They will have template letters for you to add to your journal. You should get everything back dated and the extra bedroom allowance

@Saladd0dger I've already got the bedroom allowance they sorted that out pretty much straight away just not a reply regards to the disability and carers element will chase it thanks

So I've still not had any news of UC has anyone else heard of UC for their backdated payments of the disabled and carers element it's been 6 weeks now with decision maker for nearly 4 weeks they won't tell me anything getting annoyed

@Alk19 I informed UC of my sons award on Wednesday 29th September and asked it to be backdated to the award start date of 28th June. My coach immediately got back to me in my journal to say she would refer it to a decision maker to see if it could be backdated as it is classed as late reporting. I could not have informed them any sooner as I wasn’t given the award until Wednesday so I don’t really understand how they can say it was late. Anyway, yesterday in my journal there was a letter attached from the decision maker to say it was going to be backdated. Not sure how long it takes to process the payment though. But the decision was made very quickly for me.

@Saz04 I've still not heard anything I was awarded dla 6+ weeks ago dla awarded it me from 21st may I've already had my backdate of dla and a payment and a payment of uc with the added elements still no backpay though

@Alk19 how soon did UC add the disabled child element to your award? I’m due a payment on the 4th but my payment statement isn’t showing any added elements. I’m wondering if it will be in next months payment in which case that will be another month they will have to backdate. At least I know it’s definitely being backdated so I should get it at some stage.

@Saz04 I reported mine 3 days before I was due my payment so it only went in on my next payment because of the cut of for my award dates on universal credit

Yes they backdate it in change of circumstances put the dates you received dla

@Senmother I'm still waiting have been since august

You need to put the dates in the change of circumstances section so it can back date. And keep calling universal credit up too. They backdated mine all. The carer element and disabled child element too. My son is autistic non verbal and 4 years old.

@Senmother yeah I did all that start of august chased it had it escalated 4x service centre got involved still nothing there's a deadline on it now for the 12th November so fingers crossed will hear before then

[quote Alk19]@Senmother yeah I did all that start of august chased it had it escalated 4x service centre got involved still nothing there's a deadline on it now for the 12th November so fingers crossed will hear before then [/quote]
Good luck. Hope you keep us posted if they backdated or not. Just wondering

Where do you the change of circumstances online with universal credits? Is it under the section children and other living with you?

We’ve just been awarded and been told to update universal credits.

@Polly421

Where do you the change of circumstances online with universal credits? Is it under the section children and other living with you?

We’ve just been awarded and been told to update universal credits.

Yeah it's report a change section. Congrats. Is your child diognosed ? If you don't mind what rate did you get? My daughter isn't diognosed and I'm currently filling her form in.

I don’t mind at all, she’s not diagnosed yet awaiting an assessment. She just turned 3 last month and she was awarded HRC. I didn’t expect mobility because of the age restrictions of LRM only available from when kids are 5.

@Polly421

I don’t mind at all, she’s not diagnosed yet awaiting an assessment. She just turned 3 last month and she was awarded HRC. I didn’t expect mobility because of the age restrictions of LRM only available from when kids are 5.

Did you get LRM too? Is she verbal? What is she suspected to have ?

No mobility but I wasn’t expecting that due to her age. She suspected ASD, yes she no verbal. I filled in form myself I was worried as didn’t follow a guide and sent what I had and that was 2 reports from paediatric nurse then the doctor. Sent her acceptance letters for speech therapy and acceptance letter that she on waiting list for ASD assessment. I personally believe it was doctors report that really helped as she wrote our plan and one point was to apply for DLA as she meets criteria and each section she wrote her observations of seeing my daughter and wrote down how she different. She told me at the end of the assessment back in August to make sure I send them that as she was detailing as much as possible. It said thing like during our meeting she was oblivious to the people in the room, she didn’t hear her speak one word and when she called her name my daughter didn’t respond. She stated things like there was many toys in the room but these were no interest to her but sat in the corner opening and closing the cupboard door. She also wrote down that due to covid waiting times for assessments are taking much longer but this shouldn’t hinder my daughter for help she needs. She was fantastic and I’m really glad we are under her care as she is familiar with the Speech therapist who accepted my daughter and stated when she starts therapy if she also believe she is Autistic they could diagnose her more quicker.

She also put down about my daughters severe eczema and how treatment for that was to change and also she referring her the allergy clinic as I had mentioned I believe other things flare it up as it can be really bad at times.