Disabled child element

bmct32

Hello I was awarded middle rate dla for my daughter november 2023 but only gave me a decision on the 14th august, I’ve requested for it to be backdated does anyone know how long this could take as it’s with a decision maker it’s already been 7 weeks, also what would I be owed if they were to backdate? Thank you 

poppy123456

I'm sure you mean November 2022 and not 2023 since we are only in October. It will be paid from the assessment period in which the changes took place (November 2022)

You will be entitled to the Lower disabled child element of £146.41/month but that is the rates from April 2023. Before that the rate was £132.89/month.

I'm afraid i can't tell you exactly how much you're owed because it will depend on the final figures. Before they can pay what is owed they will need to recalculate your past statements to work out what you've already been paid against what you should have been paid. You will then receive the difference between the 2.

Please note that once the statements are recalculated the new ones will replace the existing ones so you may want to take copies of those.

You will also be able to claim carers element for looking after them, assuming you're not claiming this for looking after someone else or you don't receive the LCWRA element for yourself. Carers element (not carers allowance) is £185.86/month. 

To claim this, if you don't already you need to report a change of circumstances on your journal and then click caring for someone. I'm assuming as this is your child that you do of course care for them for at least 35 hours per week, which is part of the crtieria for claiming CE.

Jimm_Scope

Hi @bmct32, welcome to our community. I'm honestly amazed it took so long to get such a decision. That must be near 10 months! As Poppy has already answered, we can't give you exact figured I'm afraid. 

Have you called up DLA at all and if so what have they said about the delay?

poppy123456

Jimm_Scope said:

Have you called up DLA at all and if so what have they said about the delay?

The delay in paying the disabled child element isn't with DLA, it's with UC as this element is part of UC.

Best thing to do to chase this up is to put a message onto their journal under the payment section and ask about this element. Ringing the helpline isn't helpful because all they will do is the same as we can do and put a message onto the journal

Jimm_Scope

I'm getting my benefits mixed up again aren't I, sorry

poppy123456

Jimm_Scope said:

I'm getting my benefits mixed up again aren't I, sorry

Please don't worry about it, it's very easily done. Benefits are so confusing and i think UC is the worst of them all. It took me a very long time to understand it. My knowledge improved when i claimed for my daughter because i'm her appointee so having access to her journal means it makes advising so much easier.