DLA

[eidsvold]

We are contemplating whether to apply for DLA for my dd. Looking at the criteria and what they expect - Dd does have some extra needs in terms of therapy, exercises and activities that I need to do with her daily to assist with her development. It does not seem like a lot at this stage so do not think we would qualify for it.

We thought about waiting until she was about a year old and then checking it out further. We figured at 12 months there would be more work to be done assisting her.

ANy suggestions?

Just go for it,if she needs that little bit of extra help your dd should be entitled to it.It is best for the G.P or H.V to fill in the back of the form for that added bit of offialdom or even your dd's consultant. Good luck
P.S It upsets me when I have to fill them in as they are awful. My ds2 has been receiving it since he was 8-9 months old.

Might well be worth doing, eidsvold- it's actually a quite generous benefit and you could save it for your dd if you don't need it for day to day living right now. I agree with doormat that it can be v upsetting for parents to fill out the form- to get the award you have to show that your dd needs MORE care than an average baby of her age and inevitably that means focussing on what she CAN'T do and other babies of her age can, which is a horrible way of looking at your child. (It also sounds like your dd is doing wonderfully well and that her development is not that different from any other child, so you may have problems showing that she needs more care than average but IME the diagnosis of Downs syndrome is in itself likely to entitle you to something, though this goes against all the stated criteria for deciding who is entitled.) It may be worth asking a friend to fill it out with you or approaching a charity to help if you decide to go for it, if only for moral support. HTH.

I would apply Eidsvold. It is grim filling in the forms though, you have to paint it as black as the worst day you could possibly have with her. There are plenty of DLA veterans on here to help you if you get stuck though.

If your daughter has a specific condition, it may be worth contacting a registered support group - my daughter has diabetes and Diabetes UK were very helpful in providing us with information which helped us to fill in the forms. Give it a go.

Worth applying for eidsvold. Just don't read the form too many times it.s too depressing. Often there is a person available to help you fill it in. Often how you actually fill the form in dictates what level of care you are given. Your child development centre may be able to give you the name of a dla helper.

This might help.

This is also interesting reading.

Hiya
The form is ridiculous and I was completley put off filling it out but then I thought it unfair on Lottie, it's her money, i'm not going to use it. I'll save it up and she can use it to swim with dolphins or something!!!!! She's been getting it since she was about 3 months old!
I went to my health visitor and she filled it our for/with me. She was useless in every other way so I'm sure yours will help you with it. Some of the questions seem impossible to answer without some prefessional guidance, they know how to word things. I mean how can you answer most of those questions when you're discussing a baby, not a 6 year old. Go for it you're both entitled to that money and deserve it.

do it please. It's absolutely dreadful to fill it in and Jimjams is right - don't read it too many times , like i did
Any help I can give , just ask the question, however small it may seem, it's really strange what they consider 'relevant' on that hideous form. I'd also recommend looking at the 'benefits forum' on www.youreable.com. Good luck.

It helps to talk to a pro becuase they have lots of little tips. For example when it talks about geting up in the night you have to be up for at least 20 minutes before they will count it (and that can make the difference between higher and middle rate).

I don't have any experience of applying for someone else. But the best bit of advice I had from my then social worker when I applied for myself was to appeal as 9 times out of 10 they reject the first time. Sure enough they refused the application (even though I had got it 3 years previously when I was given the wrong diagnosis of multiple sclerosis), but I appealed (which included screaming and then crying down the phone) and I got lower mobility and middle care rates.

So if they turn you down, appeal. Its as if they really want you to show that the money is needed.

I'm going to have to do it all again so as currently get middle rate care, but ds is 3 in October so will apply for the mobility element too.

Thanks so much for all your replies. It just seems like such a lot of effort.

It seems like there is so much dd can do rather than can't. She is brilliant at sleeping through and does not wake for attention or food. That may change if we put her in her own room?!?! At 9 months the only extra we do for her is the exercises and activities suggested by the physio and OT. I might ask at the children's centre when we go for our next visit. I think I will download the forms and check it out.

Also - is it affected if I decide to go back to part time work? Just a consideration at this stage.

Thanks again.

you working makes no difference at all to the claim.

eidsvold - if you were to receive middle or higher rate dla then you can claim carer's allowance. That can be affected by working- you're allowed t earn 70 something pounds a week (although you can deduct childcare costs from your earnings).

eidsvold, I also recommend applying for it. It is a lot of money and there will be things that you do extra or differently. I also find my older child without DS MUCH MUCH harder work (she's a very spirited little girl) but that's not the point (I wish though, I think we should get £1000 pw for her! ). The point is that your daughter having DS does mean that you have to do some things differently - I don't know what your little one does but it can be hard to see the difference, particularly with her being a first child. It's also a bit depressing because you have to focus on the 'deficits'.
For example, with my dd, the main things at 9 months were total lack of self-feeding skills (ordinary 9 months olds are usually already quite good at finger-feeding), inability to drink independently from a sippy cup, the need to be aware of low tone when holding her, i.e. trying to keep her legs together etc., making sure that she can see my face and that my speech is slow and clear when I talk to her due to speech & language and hearing problems, needing to show her how toys work more often than I would with an ordinary child, helping her to explore her environment due to lack of mobility, trying to work out what she wants - drink? food? as she couldn't tell me herself, not understanding 'no!' consistently and thus needing greater supervision, etc., etc.! Maybe the liaison nurse from your CDC could come and help you fill in the form. They're great at knowing all the little nitty-gritty extras that you don't even notice you're doing.
We have been receiving the higher rate since dd was 5 months old, on first attempt and a quick decision. Just think - with the money you could - hire a cleaner enabling you to spend more constructive time with your dd, join a health club so you can take her to a nice swimming pool, buy expensive educational toys, anyway, you get the idea.

2under2 makes some good points eidsvold. It was only when I had ds2 that I realised how much harder I had had to work with ds1. I didn't realise that children could just watch you do something then copy. I thought all children needed to be "taught" how drink from a cup, eat using a spoon etc etc. I still get amazed watching ds2 do all that without instruction!

Okay you have all convinced me and I will get on the phone and order the forms next week. Thanks so much for the help. I think the fact that she is my first - I only know what is normal for us... not realising all the things that she can't do!!! Wow.. I mean I do realise but I can see the benefits from applying.

theyre open til 1pm saturday !

have just seen this thread so coming to it a bit late - but might be useful for other new SN mums - DLA IF it is awarded is backdated to the date you applied for the papers - so it is worth calling them in even if you know you can't possibly get around to the admin for a week or two. And it isn't means tested either (has someone already made that point) Good luck!

oh thanks for that sinclair - have yet to call for the information/aaplication - just don't seem to have any time at the moment - BUT I will

well we have finally gotten our act together to apply for htis - feel like we probably won't get it but who knows. Am sending it in next week after getting the HV and physio to fill in their bits.

Wish us luck...

good luck!!
i just sent the forms back for my dd1, who has been getting the high rate care component for her asthma and eczema. i'm just panicing now they are gonna turn it down this time, and i need to get her new pj's which cost a small fortune.

have finished filling in the form for dd

Where do I send it? Local DWP office or the local disability benefits office??
Thanks for help in advance