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Post by max on Jan 5, 2008 15:03:52 GMT
I'm (still) filling in the DLA form and have done everything except the extra info bit where there is whole page to write extra info - what did you write? Oh it's a right b****r pf a form isn't it - and if you get turned down can you redo the form and apply again? I just feel like I'm lying on it - and we really need middle rate so I can get carers allowance.
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Post by nikki on Jan 5, 2008 16:27:52 GMT
i get help from my health visitor , social worker and georgias special needs school. there used 2 filling them in and no lots of big words to baffle them lol. we initally got a social worker to help with this so if you havent got one try asking bout getting one there really useful to have!!!
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Post by tina79 on Jan 5, 2008 21:44:26 GMT
Hi Max, i didn't write anything in that bit as i felt like i'd covered everything on the other parts of the form, but i think some people use it to write down a diary of a typical day to show how much time they spend looking after the child.
If you get turned down i don't think you can do the form again but you can appeal. When i claimed the first time Brodie was given the lower rate as they said he only needed an hours help a day in total (even though he was having 6 bottles a day and taking nearly 40 mins to drink each one!) so i wrote a letter appealing and just repeated everything i'd written on the claim form and they re-looked at it and gave him middle rate instead. I'm sure they give everyone lower than what they're entitled to first and just hope that most people don't appeal!
I know what you mean about feeling a bit like you're lying, I remember filling out the form and feeling like Brodie wasn't entitled to it especialy as he seemed to be doing so well with everything and as he was my first child i didn't really have anything to compare him to, but it's suprising how much you do for them during the day without really realising it.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and at least if you get it you don't have to do another form till he's about 3! x x
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Post by Rilith on Jan 8, 2008 20:51:45 GMT
You are not lying though you are giving detailed analysis of what it is like to look after a child with special needs.
Every minute of every day is taken up with trying to educate them about the world around them and trying to make them aware of the dangers that are in it. Its especially hard on days when the lil ones don't seem ton respond as well and thats the day you have to write about.
You have to tell them it takes over 30 mins to dress them because of the constant lack of understanding and frustration on both sides. The educational side of trying to explain to them about leg holes and arm holes and trying to get the right ones in the right holes which more often than not ends up with tantrums and screaming fits because they simply can't communicate their frustrations. The fact that they can not do buttons or laces but insist on trying to do it themselves and you have to let them try in order to gain their independence
It takes 40 mins to feed them at meal times because they lack co-ordination to do it themselves, showing them endlessly how to simply scoop peas onto a fork or a spoon, more often than not resulting in you having to reheat their food and feeding them yourself.
Nighttimes are hard too, because you have to always make sure that you are not fully asleep so you can be there to assist the older ones in the night, or if you have poorly babies with heart problems you have to check on them at regular intervals to make sure they are OK and colour is fine.
You are not fibbing and you are entitled to everything so pick the worst day you have ever had and tell them all about that. You are not exaggerating you are being honest, you just have to remember the smallest of details.
Best advice I was offered was a few weeks before filling in the forms keep a diary of the stressiest times and detail why its stressy and why it was hard work, how long it takes you and why it takes longer than with a "normal" child.
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Post by shirley on Jan 8, 2008 23:45:17 GMT
Hi Max, I never filled out that section either as I had fully explained everything in the form anyway, grace is no different than caleb except that she HAD a heart defect and she was awarded high rate first time. We are expecting it to go down to middle though when it due for renewal as she has had her repair done now.
If felt bad too as I like you felt there was nothing different with Grace but our little ones as classed as special needs and they are entitled to it so waffle on !!!!
Good luck, get it posted soon, and think of all the back dated money your gonna get !!
Shirley xxx
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Post by max on Jan 9, 2008 8:26:19 GMT
thanks, I think the problem is that I don't have any other kids so have nothing to compare! I did go along the route of "everything we do to encourage development" and my therapists wrote things for me too - they were brilliant and managed to say absolutely nothing definate but make it sound very specific!!! LOL. I am sending it off today so will let you know....
How often do they reassess?
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Post by shirley on Jan 9, 2008 8:50:12 GMT
I think graces stands until she reaches three, need to check though, good luck xx
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Post by max on Jan 10, 2008 18:25:51 GMT
it's sent - I have everything crossed! How long do they take to come back?
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Post by leeandali on Jan 10, 2008 19:42:39 GMT
they are awful forms aren't they! We were refused 1st time around, when we applied for finlay (at 6mnths) mainly because he hadn't been seen by the OT, Physio etc. We reapplied at 13mnths and they were really quick at giving him middle rate (took 3 weeks!!). Finlay's paediatrician did say you get DLA on the diagnosis of DS itself from the age of 2. Hope that helps
Good luck with the claim!
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