DLA for your child

[Ashleigh]

I think it's important that everyone knows this is an entitlement and also that if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit this also adds a Disabled Child Element to your payments too, so another £2540 per year although on your allowance.

However, I'd be really interested to hear of anyones experiences of anyone receiving DLA when their child reaches 16. As far as I am concerned the additional costs and support doesn't disappear overnight on 16th birthday like the payments do and with my son, a recent school trip has made me realise just how much adult support and intervention he still needs over and above that of his peers.

This date for us, is approaching and although I've heard of one parent having success in her application for her son, as her Clinical Nurse Specialist completed the DLA paperwork, I think it would be valuable to share experiences.

I was lucky enough to receive DLA at the first time of asking when my son was diagnosed and I'd be happy to offer help to others with the onerous task of filling those endless forms in.

Any advice you could give would be appreciated, my sister has cerebral palsy and is always having her DLA revoked and having to go to constant assessments etc.

[Blondie153]

someone told me the citizen's advice bureau will help

[mrawfell]

I hope I am not transgressing here, but at least you didn't post in Arabic.

[Thumper]

I have received DLA for my son since 1st diagnosed at 18 months. He is now 13 and at last review it was reduced to lower rate for care. I have assumed when he is 16 he will apply on his own behalf though reading posts here I'm now not sure that is the case.

[elainechi]

i ve just completed janes dla form....forgot to say so many things about the care she needs...hate having to do it....just a reminder of how much care we as parents give..i find it all very depressing . hope the tears dry before they read it x

[Thumper]

Diabetes UK sent me a guide on how to fill it in the 1st time I did it and I got it 1st attempt

[Emma's heros]

Hi thumper, how did you get the guide. I am waiting for the forms to be sent to me and could use all the help I could get.

Thanks

Emma

[phoenix]

They have a guide online
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-dia ... Allowance/

[Emma's heros]

Hi Thumper

Thank you

Emma

[lisamariebrankin]

from everything that i have read, it is important to write absolutely everything down that you do for your child to do with diabetes... time wise even down to pharmacy trips etc. my dn told me to make a list as i go along for a week b4 i send the forms off... atleast then when filling the forms in you can refer to the notes.
Also, photocopy forms before sending them in, so then when renewals are due, you have the last forms to refer to.
My daughter is 18months and i have been awarded high rate care.

[Niamh's Mum]

Just for info: we've just had our claim refused for our 13 year old daughter, received today. This is the second form we've completed as we were given it on first attempt when she was first diagnosed nearly three years ago. Not sure if it's because the system is being reformed and maybe because of Government cutbacks, it's just the way it is now. Going to appeal and see what happens....

[lisamariebrankin]

Just for info: we've just had our claim refused for our 13 year old daughter, received today. This is the second form we've completed as we were given it on first attempt when she was first diagnosed nearly three years ago. Not sure if it's because the system is being reformed and maybe because of Government cutbacks, it's just the way it is now. Going to appeal and see what happens....

Thats terrible!! I hope your appeal has more success

[Thumper]

Niamh's mum
Sorry you've been turned down, hope your appeal is successful. We got higher rate for my son when he was 18 months old and it's been reviewed every 3 years. The last time we only got the lower rate because at 13 he's deemed to need less care. Wish I'd appealed now because as a teenager he seems to need more reminding etc to do BMs and since his Hypo fit during the night a few weeks ago his monitoring has gone up a few notches including night time BMs EVERY night!!!

[Niamh's Mum]

Hi Thumper,
We were shocked when we were told initially that we could apply for DLA when Niamh was diagnosed, after all, she's ours and of course we are going to look after her and care for her whatever, it's just very unlucky that she has been given this hand of cards. We were given middle rate.

We were under the impression that we would be entitled until Niamh is 16, so were shocked when we got the refusal letter. I keep asking my husband if we were complacement completing the form as we do handle her diabetes quite well and appear to be handling everything well. She is nearly 14 and I would honestly say, we are in very muddy waters with her bloods everywhere. Last night we where up from 1.10am through to 3am. Then because I've been stimulated having to think how to bring her high bloods down, changing her line and insulin and bolusing, I/Niamh can't just fall asleep again. My husband said that the forms were worded completely different and we answered everything they asked, so didn't omit anything, otherwise it would have been trying to justify why she's entitled and not answering their question (waffling).

I feel quite sad, that we have to fight for this. Even though we have now nearly got 3 years experience of the condition, we are still learning all the time and being in the very place we are at ie. practically a 14 year old teenage girl, with hormones surging left right and centre, the condition does what it likes and you can only just keep running with it and correcting as you go. No two days are ever the same. I am sounding like I'm justifying us now and I'm sure I don't need to on this forum as I'm sure you are all aware of how it is.

Going to try to be positive an appeal this weekend and cross our fingers and see what happens

[cuttsy]

are some of you serious ???
You need financial help for a diabetic child ... over 16 ????

If your child has no other complications, why on earth would they get DLA at this age?

County rugby player, and you have to follow him round to make sure he's ok ???
Are you sure he's not just over molly coddled and can't look after himself any more?
What happens when he's 25 ...... will you still follow him round then?

You can join the army at 16 ..... but you can't control your own Diabetes ????

And what is all the financial help for?
We don't need any money for medication or special food.
Someone said they wanted financial help for Low carb baking !!
[edited expression which could offend]