DS was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD 3 months ago. Prior to this I decreased my work houts from full time to 16 hours a week with the loss of £1000 a month which I really felt. It allowed me to be there a school pick up time every day and to deal with any issues immediately. It also meant I had more time to devote to DS as his Dad lived 200 miles away and isn't around to offer support that often.
Anyhow - DS was diagnosed and the pasdiatrician told me to apply for DLA. Her advice was that I would need it to pay for extra bits and pieces DS needed and also to pay out for membership of exercise groups ect. DS craves sensory input and many of the bits come with a price tag - the weighted blanket for example (which is brilliant) was near £130.
I heard last week that DS had been assessed as requiring middle leve disability and lower level mobility (he is impulsive and not road savvy at present).
This adds up to about £260 a month - it doesn't replace the income I've lost but is a welcome boost.
With the award notice was a booklet telling me I should inform the Tax Credit office as the tax credits would increase.
I did this and it appears my tax credits havr increased by £200 a month. Am pretty gobsmacked that I am apparently nearly £500 a month better off.
Does this sound right?
Tax credit office have paid just over £700 into my account this week which I am too scared to touch in case they've got it wrong.
This works out as an extra £200+ on top of the usual.
I know DS WILL have (and has incurred) extra costs but even so this seems overwhelmingly generous and I feel a tad guilty.
Am trying to think of the extra costs - petrol, the special needs group, the extra bits of stuff I've bought for him to try and meet his sensory needs.
It has been such a struggle financially but this money means the struggle will stop mostly. I am feeling a bit shocked and guilty although I know I shouldn't - the DLA is what it is and was awarded based upon the paeds comments and his class teacher as well as GP and myself.
Still a bit stunned though.