DLA question.

[Bonnycat]

Hi,
Just wondered if anyone knows whether when you apply separately for mobility having already been granted the care component,if the mobility is granted will it run for the same length of time as the care award or not?
Thanks

Hi Riven,
My daughters care award was granted a year ago but she was only 3 in Feb so we applied for mobility then.
I think we have been awarded it as a payment has gone into the bank but not had a letter yet so just curious.

Im right in the middle of that very same thing! DLA papers came this morning.

About a year ago we got awarded high care, but DS5 was only 2y. So rang up to ask about Mobility for when hes 3 next month.

Having read the damn things 3 times over, it seems we have to fill in EVERYTHING, and they will reassess EVERYTHING, but if they drop the care (which was awarded till hes 5) we can just ask for it to be looked at again by a different decision maker.

IF i decide NOT to ask for the mobility bit, and TBH all im after is a blue badge as its a nightmare fish herding 5 children across a busy carpark - 3 with SN, then they will do nothing with the award until it runs out when hes 5.

PS rivens 'same as last time' sounds good, but i copied my forms before i sent them so i can just copy them this time, think it depends on how flustered i am by then!

BONNYCAT: does this mean that the mobility award took around 2mths?

Yes it did.
I didnt redo all the form,i just did as Riven said,i phoned and spoke to someone who said that was ok but also have friends who were told they had to redo them all.

I wrote " no change in care needs" across the top of the form.
Its a nightmare isnt it.
I almost didnt apply for mobility as i was so worried they would stop DDs care award.

just re-read your post with a little more clarity

I was told on the helpline: "the award is classed as one award, not 2 separates."

guess that means that they both run out at the same time.

But then she said "so you will have to apply for both again, if you dont get the award you are expecting {meaning the care part} you can ask for them to look at it again"

Will definately take your lead Bonny, and just write "no change to care" as it was only a year ago.

DS1 always had his awards running for the same time, his runs out on his 18th birthday this time.

i had the care then applied at 3 for the moblity and had to refill everything was a lot of breath holding but they awared it till hes 5 without a quibble

Am really confused now...
The amount thats gone into the bank is 5 weeks high rate mobility at 46.75.
When i have looked on the website it says the rate is 49.10...
Cant wait til Monday to ring now...

Bonny, the higher amount is from new tax year. Perhaps you have been given 5 weeks, and then will get another payment of the higher amount soon, 4 weeks into the new tax year iyswim.

Oh ok,thanks!

Can I ask Riven and anyone else who has re-applied for DLA once the award ran out-
Did you have to fill the whole form in again or did you just say 'no change in care needs' without filling it in, as I was under the impression they treat every application as a new one, even re-applications?

Hi Redsock,
Im pretty sure you have to redo the whole thing when you are renewing the claim.
HTH

just a quick mention for anyone reading about to go thru same thing:

read the letter that came with the WHOLE form, again with more clarity and it states on it just to fill in the section concerning mobility, and the general info bit as well of course - rather than the horrid care bit.

(this applies to just wanting the mobility adding when care is already awarded).

Thanks Bonnycat and Riven... that is interesting as I have heard lots of people say they keep a photocopy of the form so when re doing they can just put the same things down...of course its much easier to put 'no change' .How many times have you done this if yo don't mind me asking?

misscutandstick - if you do only want the blue badge and not the mobility bit you can get your GP to sign the blue badge form. We did this when dd had just turned 2. although tbh the mobility bit of the form is by far the easiest bit to fill in so well worth it.

Just got the letter this morning to say DD has been awarded higher rate mobility til 2013.Am so pleased.Well,not pleased that she needs it but pleased that they recognised that she qualifies for it IYKWIM!

Have also heard of people keeping photocopies of the form Redsock,would also be interested to hear more from Riven about just putting no change on the renewal form-how great would that be!

We also got a blue badge from our GP when my DD reached two,was relatively easy compared to the DLA hassle and well worth it.

yay! thats excellent news! is that a 4year renewal?

I have just recently found out that the GP can sign for you, but i thought i may as well apply for mobility - he already has higher care. Hes not walking full time outside yet, and still needs a buggy whenever we go out. Hes very wobbly on his feet, and has little stamina, so i thought id apply and see what happens.

The original higher care award was granted from last May til the end of 2013 but they have reassessed the whole claim and cut that by 11 months so it now runs out in Jan 2013.
I know we have been lucky to get this award though as so many people who deserve it struggle so much with the DLA so am counting my blessings.

Brill news!!

Soz to jump in on the convo but just wondered if i could ask a question, those of u who had it b4 and reapplied, did ur rate stay the same or did they drop it, as my ds's dla has 2 b renewed, but was worried, it would drop, even though there really isnt much change in him, so i was hoping he would carry on receiving this amount, as he needs it.

My DDs DLA wasnt changed when it was renewed but i have heard of it happening quite a lot.
Hope it stays the same for your DS.