Living with disability is often draining, physically, emotionally and of course financially; Scope estimate the additional cost of disaiblity - the Disability Price Tag - amounts to £975 per month. Disability Living Allowance ("DLA") is a welfare benefit designed to help with these extra costs of living with a disability and is available for children under 16 in England and Wales. In order to qualify, a child must have a health condition or disability (note that a diagnosis is not a requirement) and need extra help with daily living activities and/or have difficulty moving around. Each criterion must be for at least three months before any claim is made and expected to continue for at least another six months.
Applications are made by way of a standard form available on the gov.uk website and by contacing the DLA helpline. It is a long form and, full disclosure, a deeply depressing one. This is because the form asks you to set out, in quite granular detail, all of the ways in which your child does not conform to societal expectations and to evidence this. It also, despite being available online, cannot be submitted online and instead has to be printed out and sent off or filled in by hand. If you request a form via the helpline they will also send you a pre-printed Freepost envelope, and you can use this even if you download and print off your own form.
Many parents/carers find that the form is best approached over a number of days (or even weeks) and there are various organisations that may be able to help you to do this, including the Citizens Advice Bureau ("CAB"). In addition, there are online sources of information and support such as from Cerebra and Contact. When filling out the form think about a typical day for your child, not the best or the worst, but how life is the majority of the time. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative as often it is easy to minimise or simply discount the additional help and support you give your child becasue it is normal to you. If your child receives extra support at school, such as via SEN support or an EHC Plan, don't forget to refer to this and include a copy with your application. Similarly, any referrals to medical and/or social care professionals should be sent in, as should copies of any relevant assessments and/or diagnoses. If supportive, ask the school/nursery to write a letter setting out your child's difficulties.
If your DLA application is refused, do not lose hope. You are entitled to challenge the decision and ultimately appeal it. The first step is to request a Mandatory Reconsideration by the Department for Work and Pensions ("DWP"), i.e. to ask them to look at the decision again. You should provide any additional evidence that supports your claim that was not included in your original application. If the reconsideration is unsuccessful (and most of them are), you can then appeal to an independent tribunal. Detailed guidance on how to appeal will be provided in the decision letter. Organizations such as the CAB Mencap and Welfare Rights can offer guidance and support throughout the process.
Navigating the DLA application process can be challenging and frustrating, but understanding the steps and knowing your rights can make it more manageable. Although SEND Advocacy does not assist with DLA applications or appeals, we can talk you through the process and signpost to sources of information and support.
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