DLA for child in school

[elliejjtiny]

DS is 9 and has learning difficulties and various medical issues. He is in mainstream school with an EHCP. He gets middle rate care and low rate mobility DLA. I also have an 8 year old DS. He has autism with no learning difficulties. He is in a mainstream school with no ehcp. He gets high rate care and low rate mobility DLA.

Just lately I've found myself being questioned by people (relatives mainly) about my 9 year old's DLA. They seem to "get" why my 8 year old gets DLA because he needs constant supervision, has meltdowns, doesn't sleep etc. But with my 9 year old I get comments like "but he's so loving", "but he's in school all day" and "but he's just like a really tall 5 year old". I know his DLA is needed but what do I say to these people?

To whoever is asking. Ask them how much they earn/get in benefits and whether they deserve it.

More realistically
"Do you get DLA for x"
"Yes I do"
"I can't see why ...."
"Well the assessors don't grant it lightly so they must feel he does"
Change conversation

Thankyou. I'm so tempted to ask SIL if she deserves the subsidised gym membership she gets through work .

my reply wouldn’t be helpful 😂 but are you able to step away from these people? I’d hate having to explain/justify my DD disability like that