Having had a diagnosis for #2 that he is autistic, albeit mild, I learned that we might be able to claim Disability Living Allowance on the basis that he needs more help than the average 9 year old. So I downloaded a form. Oh mu God, it ’s long, complex, and quite difficult to answer.
The easiest way to do it is to just be totally honest in answer to the questions. Well, that’s not what all the advice sites say, they say to really exaggerate, but I found that I was surprised by how much I actually do for him and so simple honesty seemed just fine to me. As much as the top rate of DLA might be wonderful, I would be grateful if I got any, because although I do a lot more for him than I do and have done for my others – even the 6 year old is more independent than #2 – I don’t really know what’s average for a child his age. He might only be normal, really.
Well, after several weeks of waiting, and having the DLA people write to both the school and the consultant, I had a phone call on Monday asking to clarify the night care #2 needs. Now Ioften have to get up to deal with night terrors, nightmares, drinks and bedclothes. Not all the time, but it can be more often if he’s stressed, and of course it is unpredictable and could be any night. But I know that some children are prone to sleep problems even at the age of 9 without it being any kind of disability-related problem. So I still don’t know if it counts.
I did have some money paid into my bank account the other day, which was nice, so evidently I do qualify for something, but what it is I just haven’t a clue really. I haven’t had the letter yet! By sitting and doing some sums I think I have worked out what it is – middle rate plus lower mobility allowance. Which is £62.60 a week all told. Just for filling in a form! And for the effort of making a free phone call I can get another £48.84 a week from the tax credits because you get extra for “disabled” children. I could also claim carer’s allowance (worth up to £50 a week but it’s means tested so probably about £10-15). We may qualify for housing benefit and council tax benefit because of the extra allowances and the fact that much of this extra money is not counted as income!
This is going to make life soooooo much easier. The last few months, with the increases in fuel and food, have been really tough. I thought I must be frittering money away but couldn’t think what on. Then I realised how much prices have gone up, with pasta doubling, for example, and bread and milk up about 25-40% each. As for diesel…..don’t talk to me about diesel! I drive a lot, especially with having to take #2 into school now (which he is much happier to do now he isn’t going on the bus!).
Well, if you are a random person out there who found this by typing in DLA, and has stuck with the whole rambling blog, I would say it is worth applying. You may or may not get anything, or what you expect, but the way things are right now every little helps. You just have to be really honest about what help you/your child needs, which can be painful and eye-opening. Especially if it’s your child, because you may not have realised just how much help you give them that is over normal. You just get on and do it when you’re a parent, don’t you?
Good luck 
