DLA

Genee

My teenager has autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, gross motor delay, auditory processing disorder and speech delay. They're also really, really, really smart. Were doing work beyond me by the time they were 7. Top of their class in every subject, rare to get under 100% in any test etc. 

Their difficulties are mostly social and physical. They don't understand sarcasm, nuance, social cues, emotions. They get into trouble with people because of this and have had quite a few altercations following misunderstandings. They're also an awful clutz, messy, forgetful to the extreme. For example they've left the house on numerous occasions without shoes on. This morning they're stood at the door saying goodbye without their trousers on!! They get easily distracted. They also don't understand danger and can't do very simple things like make a sandwich or fill the kettle. They explore everything and still put everything in their mouth which has led to some hospital stays. While their peers travel alone to school and spend time at home alone etc, they can't be left unattended because they're a danger to themselves. 

Their gross motor delay makes walking difficult and painful and they are very very slow and very weak. At school they have adjustments to use the lift instead of stairs and don't do PE. They also are unable to carry around their own school books and such.

Because they're so intelligent it's been hard getting support. 

A few years ago we applied for DLA for them and were awarded low rate care for 18 months. We felt low mobility and mid care would be more appropriate but we left it as it was a short award anyway.
We had their renewal earlier this year and it was the weirdest thing ever. The letter looked like an mandatory reconsideration (it started with "You asked us to look again at..." and just spoke about what was revised - nothing) and had notes to say that they couldn't award higher or mobility because they needed to have had the condition for 3 months or more. So low care and only a 1 year award.

It's been a couple of months so past the 30 days but we're still thinking of appealing and wondered if it sounds like we have a case? Also can we appeal the award length?

Their conditions aren't changeable and I don't understand why they've done such short awards both times. 

Adrian_Scope

Hello @genee and welcome to the community. 

You can still appeal outside of the 30 days and if it's only been a couple of months you're still within the time frame but you may need to provide a reason for not appealing within the 30 days.

Genee said:

The letter looked like an mandatory reconsideration (it started with "You asked us to look again at..." and just spoke about what was revised - nothing) and had notes to say that they couldn't award higher or mobility because they needed to have had the condition for 3 months or more. So low care and only a 1 year award.

It's been a couple of months so past the 30 days but we're still thinking of appealing and wondered if it sounds like we have a case? Also can we appeal the award length?

Their conditions aren't changeable and I don't understand why they've done such short awards both times. 

I'm wondering if the short award length this time around is perhaps because of confusion over how long they have had the conditions. I would definitely mention it in the appeal. 

I'd be really interested in hearing other people's thoughts about this.