How does it all work ?

[michymama]

Hi, we have just moved back to the UK from abroad and our 5 year old has been diagnosed with Mild Cerebral Palsy. We suspected this for many years but now we have the scan results its all in black and white.
I have applied for Disability Benefit, he has mobility problems the biggest problem being getting him home from school. Its a 20 minute walk (just me walking) but DS needs to stop lots to rest so can take us an hour. They have written to me saying they have sent a letter to the consultant who diagnosed him but having just spoken to his secretary she hasn't seen any letter yet.
Just wondered if anyone can give me any advice on how this whole disability thing works? Some people have told me I may be refused it, some have said I will get a car (!?). How long does it all take ?
I was very honest on all the forms and have contacted them with hospital details etc. I don't want to be claiming for anything I am not entitled too but do want my son to get all the help he needs.
Many thanks

I assume you mean disability living allowance?

basicly you will be assesed and they will inform you if you have been accepted and at what rate.

if you are then there are two aspects to DLA.
firstly is mobility. you get either higher rate or lower rate. if you get higher rate then yes you can ask to use some of your monetry award to put towards a car that is maintained by the mobility scheme.

the second part is the care section. you will be awarded higher, middle or lower rate.

the money will be paid to you each month.
it can take anything up to about 10 weeks if they are busey so i wouldn't bother harassing the postie just yet.

it is also very normal to be refused. it doesn't mean that they are denying that he has a disability. if you are refused you should appeal. there are a great many threads on here from people who have been refused and then gon on to recieve maximum award.

it all very much seems to depend on the mood of the assesor.

there are two elements, personal and mobility. They are awarded at different rates. If he is awarded higher rate mobility you can use this to fund a car.

Hopefully if you have lots of support from the consultant you won't have any problem gettign some sort of help. It seems to be rather random though!

If they do refuse any dla at all there is an appeals system.

Thanks Ladies. Its been about 7 weeks now. His main problem is mobility so even if we just get help getting him home from school, it will be a great help.
Thanks again