Can anyone help please - DLA expiring soon.

[April84]

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help me please - I’m absolutely worried sick!

I received a letter from the DWP yesterday (11th March) advising me that my DLA and Carer’s Allowance is due to stop on the 22nd March. I receive these for my daughter (8yrs) who has Autism.

I had absolutely no idea that my benefits were due to end on this date and I’m in an absolute panic! The letter yesterday is the first I’ve been told that these were due to stop. When I went into the DWP website I’ve found that they were supposed to send me a letter and a renewals form 20 weeks before it was due to stop. I didn’t receive any letter or form! It’s not as if I even got a letter and just forgot - it’s not something I would forget about - so I definitely didn’t get a letter.

What do I do? Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I know it’s taking months for the forms to be processed, so even if I managed to send it in this week, I’m looking at months without these benefits. Due to my daughters needs - and I’m an unpaid Carer for my disabled mother - I can’t even go and get a part time job to help me by.

Can anyone advise me please?? Thanks.

Call them. Renewals are looked at in terms of the end date of the award, so if you get still get them to treat it as a renewal rather than a new claim there will be a gap in the award but it is unlikely you will be waiting months.

Call them and explain, they may be able to give you an extension. Best to call at 9am on the dot or you could be on hold for a long time. Fill in the form ASAP and send it special delivery. Your payment may stop until the claim is looked at but if you get reawarded, your payments will be backdated to the day they receive your form as long as they receive it by 22nd March.