DLA

[Cathyac]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has heard that the new government are stopping DLA renewals from the age of 12 for Type 1 diabetics.

 

[SophiaW]

I hadn't heard about it but know they want to be stricter about who they pay DLA to. Have they said when this will be effective from?

 

[Cathyac]

Apparently when you renew when your child is 12 then they stop it. However my sons doesn't run out until he is 13, so not really sure how that is going to work!!! At the moment I go to school every day and do the early hours blood tests so if I am still doing that and they stop it I think I would ask them to reconsider. My DSN said this is happening, but when I said I would get them to reconsider she said she would back the case if need be.... Wonder if anyone has had any experience of this on here? :?:

 

[jacquiel]

We are lucky i think.
My dd had a renewal at end of August/beginning September just before her 16th birthday - because she has been having problems I guess she actually got a renewal - i was shocked because i thought she would be knocked back, and it is an adult claim form, but she got given it and at the same rate she had been on as a pre 16. It is for 2 years.
My ds though - his runs out just before he is 14 (next August), so I have no idea what the situation will be by then..

 

[Dollyrocker]

I never knew you could claim DLA for diabetic children

I guess it makes sense all the time you have to go into the schools and administer the blood tests/injections as it would restrict the hours you could work but surely once the child is old enough to manage it themself it would be unnessecary?

 

[sophsmam]

I asked this question yesterday with the nurse.it doesn't run out when they turn 13 it will stop when they reach 16/17,if you get refused you appeal .

 

[Dollyrocker]

Why would you appeal though?

 

[jacquiel]

The DLA is because they need more care than a child of the same age without the condition would need. This includes nightime, and also it doesnt have to be the parent that gives them the care in the day (this is where carers allowance would come in as a separate issue) - if they need 'keeping an eye on' if showing possible hypo symptoms etc, treating for being hypo and monitoring their recovery afterwards, the pe teacher having to be more aware, - it all counts.
We (luckily) didnt have to appeal at 16 - it just got awarded. Mind you our diabetic nurse gave us ideas years ago about how to word the form to get best results (telling the truth but going into great detail basically)

 

[jacquiel]

Why would you appeal though?

I would appeal if we got refused because the money you get does help compensate for the time off work (in my case unpaid) for clinic visits, in our case also mental health team visits (unpaid for me), the having to go to school to collect because they dont think he is well enough to be there or to get himself home safely because of poor control and he is high, confused, whatever - sometimes genuine, sometimes not (unpaid again) the getting up in the night with a severely hypo child, the trips to a and e ...

If they have decent control and can manage themselves - no problem.
Also at 16 they in theory are meant to fill in the form themselves - in any case sign it themselves. It is their claim, not the parents on behalf of the childs.
It is a different style of form at 16 (adult) too.

 

[Dollyrocker]

The DLA is because they need more care than a child of the same age without the condition would need. This includes nightime, and also it doesnt have to be the parent that gives them the care in the day (this is where carers allowance would come in as a separate issue) - if they need 'keeping an eye on' if showing possible hypo symptoms etc, treating for being hypo and monitoring their recovery afterwards, the pe teacher having to be more aware, - it all counts.

Granted that's certainly a valid point for younger children and I know there are exceptions but a child' of 16/17 is not really a child anymore and should be dealing with their diabetes themselves without having to pay an 'aide'. In fact I know children of much younger than that are perfectly capable of managing their diabetes without adult help.

We (luckily) didnt have to appeal at 16 - it just got awarded. Mind you our diabetic nurse gave us ideas years ago about how to word the form to get best results (telling the truth but going into great detail basically)

So the DN gave you tips on how to milk the benefits system? I find that completrely abhorrent,, it's no surprise that taxes are so high and the benefits system is a joke.

I know it sounds like I'm having a go at you, I'm really not, I don't know your situation and would not be so insolent as to comment to comment but I am a great believer that just because you CAN claim a benefit it doesn't mean you should.

All parents thave to take their child to see the doctor from time to time, but the non diabetic ones don't get 'compesated' for it. We should be teaching young diabetics to take responsibility for their condition and educate them rather than show them it's a quick way to a few more bucks and an easier life at the nation's expense.

 

[jacquiel]

I understand what you mean, and yes, it is due to specific circumstances in our case

It really isnt a case of milking the system, because you are telling the truth about what you have to do for the person - its just not leaving anything out - telling everything and then they decide

Of course much younger kids can manage fine (i wish mine had, and i wouldnt have claimed!)

The hospital appointments and other appointments are much much more than any of my other children (i have 4) have ever had - eg between now and mid December we have 5 planned appointments (needing at least a half day off for each) and fingers crossed no admissions although child is at home now ill, and looking thin and pasty, - no ketones but we are checking worriedly for ketones with every blood test (as you do)

 

[Dollyrocker]

That's totally understandable jacquiel, I'm glad you didn't take offense, I got a little ranty towards the end there

I actually think 12 is the right age to stop the benefits for T1 diabvetics (in most cases) it's old enough to take responsibility in my opinion.

 

[SophiaW]

I expect that most children are fairly independent with their diabetes by the time they reach secondary school but not all children are and this is why you complete the forms and let DLA decide if any benefit is due. Some children, like my daughter, also have other conditions that have an impact on a DLA claim.

If the insulin pump solves the problems we have with Jess then our life and hers will be a LOT easier and she will gain a lot more independence when it comes to managing her diabetes.

The amount of support a school is prepared to offer also affects our lives. Some schools are very supportive, others seem downright difficult and unhelpful while others fall somewhere inbetween. There seems to be no consistency from school to school and little information and guidance on what help schools are obliged to offer. If the government rolled out some sort of expectations of schools with managing a child's diabetes and if more children were offered pumps there'd probably be fewer benefits claims, even with children under 12 years.

Jacquiel, I hope your son/daughter is feeling better soon

 

[Mini-Mimi]

my daughter has just been diagnosed and is 3, i have these forms but they are mind boggling to me at the moment, i am running on empty due to lack of sleep and worry and i have no idea how to fill certain parts out. if anyone would be kind enough to give me some general tips on this blooming form i would be most greatful

 

[cugila]

my daughter has just been diagnosed and is 3, i have these forms but they are mind boggling to me at the moment, i am running on empty due to lack of sleep and worry and i have no idea how to fill certain parts out. if anyone would be kind enough to give me some general tips on this blooming form i would be most greatful

I am sure you will get some advice but TBH.....I would enlist the aid of your local CAB who have experts who can assist you fill in the forms correctly and will know all the 'pitfalls' so making sure you fill it in correctly. My opinion having used the CAB many times......

 

[jacquiel]

I would ask the diabetes nurse rather than the CAB because they have more knowledge in this specific area (because we were in a large childrens hospital with a big dept for paediatric diabetes they even had handouts with information about each section and ideas for how to fill it in! which was great )- and you should give it to the diabetes specialist nurse to fill in at the end as someone else who knows your child.
If you want to PM me on anything specific I will be happy to help if i can.

 

[Mini-Mimi]

wow, i posted my form off on dec 1st, had the reply today, wasnt expecting to hear anything til feb at the earliest!

 

[Richard Mark]

if your child is diabetic, it should be automatic, no I have no diabetic children

 

[ferret1o3uk]

DLA is changing to PIP , god knows why , too many people claiming it when they don't need it . Some Diabetics , or parents with children do. I have being diabetic since i was 3 yrs old my parents got 22 pence a week for me and my sister who is also diabetic. I had to appeal for my DLA as i live alone and am waiting for a Hypo Alert Dog . My Diabetes is brittle the longest period of hypogycemia was 43 hours where i was unable to move , speak, swallow and unable to control my muscles and bladder , bowel . I work part time but this helps with safety measures for me , carpeting , soft corner covers . I have a pendant but am unable to use it when my muscles won't work. So it is worth fighting for when you need it .

 

[julie62]

hi, i am new to this site, i have type 2 diabetes, and this is all new to me, firstly i know i am jumping the gun but can u get DLA for type 2 diabetes