Disability Price Tag - Tips and Guidance for Applying for DLA - Parents and Carers

Mary_Scope

This weeks focus is the disability price tag of raising a disabled child so I am going to talk about the different benefits you might be able to claim as a parent.

To help you get started, I've already put together DLA Information for Parents and Carers and todays post is a follow-up to that. I hope it makes the DLA application process a little smoother for you!

We'll also be exploring about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) later in the week.

Use a DLA Diary
Keeping a diary of how your child’s condition impacts them is helpful. Use the diary to help you complete the form but do not send it as evidence.

Write down everything your child needs during a day in as much detail as possible.

Mention both your child’s emotional and physical needs.

Think about how your child..
• eats
• sleeps
• moves about
• interacts with you, siblings family, strangers, friends etc
• dresses
• concentrates at school
• takes medication
• goes to the bathroom

Speak with the people involved in your child’s care such as their teachers, doctors, social worker etc as everyone will have a different perspective.

Include Details
Think about the everyday things you do. It may seem obvious to you, but it may not be to the assessor. Remember they are not an expert in your child or your child’s condition.

Give detail and say if things happen sometimes, a lot or all the time.

For example..

Do not write: “I help my child go to the toilet 7 times a day.”
Do write: “My child needs help going to the toilet 7 times a day. She needs help removing her underwear and I have to clean and wash her after every visit to the toilet.”

The person making the decision is not a medical person or an expert in your child’s disability so use simple language in your answers. You should describe your child’s condition, but you don’t have to use medical language.

The most important thing is to describe how the condition affects your child’s daily life.

The DWP will compare your child with a non-disabled child of the same age so really highlight your child’s additional needs.

The Difficult Days
Provide examples of your child’s bad days such as days when they are really overstimulated or in a lot of pain. This can be emotional so be kind to yourself.

Make sure you include everything things that are difficult or impossible to do even if it is not every day and explain why it is difficult or impossible to do so.

Think about your child on their worst days.

Gather Evidence
Include as much evidence as you can, such as..

• prescriptions and medication information
• reports and letters from healthcare professionals or social workers
• an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Special Educational Needs (SEN) plan or other school plan

• Any documents that support your childs additional needs.

Make Copies
It is a good idea to make a copy of the form before you send it or even take photographs of each page if you don't have access to a photocopier.

It's to have copies in case the form gets lost on the way to the DWP or f you have been given a fixed award and need to apply in the future.

It's worth doing tracked delivery for peace of mind so you have confirmation when its delivered.

Do you have any other tips and tricks to pass onto parents applying for DLA?

What questions do you have about the DLA process?

MW123

@Mary_Scope

Hi Mary, thanks for sharing such helpful advice on applying for DLA for parents of disabled children, it’s such a tough process for so many. I did notice the word 'tricks' in both the subject and body of the post, and in the current climate, I worry it might be misinterpreted, given the stigma around disability benefits in the UK.

Nobody is trying to trick the government into receiving help for their disabled child, they are just applying for the help they may be entitled to receive. Maybe something like 'Tips and Guidance for Applying for DLA' could work better? You know how the press likes to take words out of context.

Catherine1108

I think your advice is excellent. I had a child on DLA 1989 to 2000. It was a liveable condition and through incredible work we reached stasis and a quality of life. She has since set up The Northern Ireland Anaphylaxis and Allergy group.

I'm Severely Disabled on DLA since 2001 and now PIPs. Your directions are really valid and as a retired Psychologist they are reliable. I implore everyone to follow your succient directions. Very good luck and best wishes from Northern Ireland. Catherine

simo_818

Hi Mary_Scope,

This is an incredibly helpful and informative post! You've clearly put a lot of thought into providing practical guidance for parents and carers navigating the DLA application process. I can only imagine how challenging it must be to raise a disabled child, and resources like this are invaluable. It's wonderful to see such supportive and informative content being shared within the community. Thank you for taking the time to create this resource.

Mary_Scope

Thank you @Catherine1108, it is wonderful to hear about your daughter and it sounds like she is doing a lot of good work with that organisation.

Thank you @simo_818. I hope it is helpful for parents and carers.

Thank you for your feedback @MW123 I understand what you mean and how it may be misinterpreted wrong. I will change the title😀

simo_818

Mary_Scope,
You're very welcome! I'm sure it's helpful for many parents and carers.