Help with forms

ClareWilliams · July 2018

Hi I’m wondering if there is anyone who might be able to help with dla forms for my little boy, he’s 21 mths and has spastic diplegia in his legs with left side being worse very poor balance, can’t walk for long and falls every couple steps

poppy123456 · July 2018

Hi,

Trying ringing your local CAB to see if they can fit you in with an appointment for help with the forms. If they can't then a google search of your area for other disability advice services in your area.

Just so you know that you won't be able to claim the mobility part of DLA for your son until he's 3 years old. The care part is possible but evidence will be needed. Good luck.

ClareWilliams · July 2018

Oh ok I was told to apply due to the above I mentioned, is there any point in applying do you think?

atlas46 · July 2018

Hi

It is worth applying for DLA. Google "DLA decision makers (child cases) : staff guide."

This explains how a child will be assessed. Seek the help of your child's health visitor and the like. CAB would also assist.

I think you can get motobility for an infant, so check.

Let us know if we can assist any further.

Best wishes

ClareWilliams · July 2018

Oh that’s fab thank you very much

atlas46 · July 2018

Hi @ClareWilliams

Got more info to assist you.

Check Cerebra.org.uk, its a children's charity, they have a Parents helpline tel: 0800 328 1159. Give them a bell, they have a guide for claiming DLA for a child.

I am tagging @Jean_Scope and @BenefitsTrainingCo to see if they can provide you with more advice/guidance.

ClareWilliams · July 2018

Oh really appreciate this thank you

susan48 · July 2018

@atlas46, how very thoughtful of you to look into help for @ClareWilliams.

A very thoughtful gesture

poppy123456 · July 2018

You cannot claim the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance before your child reaches the age of three (for the higher rate) or five (for the lower rate).

There's nothing stopping you from putting in a claim for his care needs. You just have to show that he has more care needs than that of another child the same age.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Disability-Living-Allowance-children/Who-can-get-Disability-Living-Allowance

atlas46 · July 2018

Hi

More good news about cerebra.

Phone and ask for hard copy of their DLA claim guide.

Also they have Regional Officers around the country to assist with the claim, ask for contact details for your location.

I would also ask your GP for your son's medical records, it's called a subject access request. There is no charge for this.

Keep us informed.

Jean_OT · July 2018

Hi @ClareWilliams

Thanks to @atlas46 for tagging me into this conversation. I can't claim to have any special expertise with benefits, just a general working knowledge. However, I do have colleagues at the Scope Helpline (0808 800 3333, Open 9-5 Monday to Friday, closed weekends and bank holidays) who are benefits specialists. So Clare, do please give the helpline a ring if you have a problem with the forms and want to talk to someone on the phone. However, if you can get face-to-face support to complete the forms locally that would be preferable, so it is a lengthy process.

CAB is one potential source of support with form filling but some areas also have information services specific to disability issues that work locally. Entering your postcode at https://www.scope.org.uk/Support/Service-directory may help you locate somewhere.

@poppy123456 has already signposted you to a source of quality online information, here is another that you may wish to look at:
https://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/benefits-financial-help/benefits-and-tax-credits/disability-living-allowance/

Best Wishes
Jean

Help with forms

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