DLA renewal

[surprisenumber3]

DS1 currently gets middle rate care. I need to apply again for when he is 11 in August. Will they write to me soon?

I am so anxious about this! I know I need to prove he needs help during the night but the only time he does is when he needs his medication or when he is struggling psychologically and needs reassurance (ie-not every night).

Thing is, if he stops getting this then the tax credits will go down drastically and also CA will stop. I don't know what we'd do. I lost my job because of the physio/OT/counselling/consultant appointments I had to take DS1 to. I also have 2 smaller children and my work colleagues/boss stressed me out so much I had to give up.

Any tips for reapplying please? His circumstances are exactly the same as they were when he applied when he was 7. Is it likely it will be renewed?

What is DS1's diagnosis?

Reassurance / medication at night when the rest of the household has gone to bed, say, 11-7 will qualify for higher rate care if it is at least 20 minutes for most of the week.

If your son needs help when you are awake but he is in bed (evenings) he should get middle rate.

You can reapply using the exact same words if circumstances haven't changed, that's OK. Did you keep a copy of the original form?

Please don't worry, you'll get lots of help here

I think they usually send the forms out about 6mths before the current award runs out.

I would've thought that the chances of it being renewed would be good. Don't forget that last time he was being compared to typical 7yr-olds with no SN. This time he will be compared with typical 11yr-olds and so (presumably) the gap between ds and his peers will have widened for DLA purposes IYSWIM. So, for example, my ds1 was originally awarded middle rate care. When it was renewed it actually went up to higher rate care because he was now being compared to 7yr-olds rather than 3 and 4yr-olds.

I would just remember to try to keep the application as negative as possible and keep comparing your ds to 11yr-olds with no SN.

The way I structure mine is something like this:

"Ds needs help to do [insert activity/task].
He needs someone to [describe in detail the help he needs, including any reminders or reassurance he needs].
Without this help ds would [be unable to do the activity/become distressed/be in danger etc].
A normal 11yr-old is able to do [task/activity] with no help at all."

Add as many extra sheets of paper as you need.

There is a really good guide that Cerebra will send you for free. It gives detail of how much extra help you need to qualify for each rate.

I renewed when my daughter was 11 and her award now continues until she is 16 which is helpful.

I agree with LOTS of detail too and as much mediacl jargon as possible. You do need to describe the worst night he may have and not the best. Good luck, these forms are awful.

its no longer 6 months my ds's runs out in July and I've only just got his renewal forms its for 16+ and they seem so much easier but worried as they don't want as much detail as the child's form.
As much as it's hard I was always told to forget about the good days when filling in the forms and focus on the bad days.
I really need to get ds's started though hate doing them.

Thanks all. I have requested the guide from Cerebra, thanks vjg13

I haven been told a lot of renewals at 11 last until they are 16 so here's hoping!

I will definitely mention the hard days and leave out the good days!

DS's DLA expires in mid July and we have just had the renewal forms, so I'd guess you might get yours soon too.

I need to find the copy of the last one and make a start.

I need to ds one to am hoping they give till he's 11 rubs out when he's 5 in July my only worry is can't put down salt physio etc as we don't have new ones yet

Hi
I have had my forms and just filled them out - was awful!
Does anyone know roughly how long a renewal takes?

Am a little anxious because we were turned down when he was 5 so I reapplied at 7 and turned down again so I appealed and we got middle rate care. If anything he needs more help now as he is suffering psychologically and under a counsellor and anxiety is causing nighttime problems such but you never know do you...

just bumping to how long anyone elses renewal took. Thank you.

I think it depends on whether they write to the person you named on the form as a contact, because obviously then it's dependent on how long it takes them to reply. When we renewed dd3s, they didn't ask for any other evidence and we heard back within about 2 weeks. The first time we applied it took longer but they sent a letter saying they were requesting extra info from XYZ so we knew what was happening.

and the cure for anxiousness is either wine or chocolate

hi all
Was just wondering if anyone can give me some help was getiing dla for my son for adhd middle rate care for year and half but when i put his renewal in it was turned down i appealed it and was turned down again that was last year (jan) so in sept he was told he had dylexis so put in again in jan 10 this year and was turned down again so appealed it and again it was turned down so now i am going to tribunal does anyone know anything about these and if so what is it like as i dont know anything about them if anyone can help that would be great
thanks

either wine or chocolate? not BOTH? :D

I have had a letter back saying they have received everything.

Sorry I can't help pinky. Have you shown in your forms that he needs help regularly throughout the day, above that what someone of his age would need normally?

Had my letter back to anyone know if they wait till the renewal date to look at it again ds id up 19th July currently get hrm mrc