Benefits Help

[BuggsieMoo]

Hi All
My DD has a recognised medical condition that affects her legs and her ability to walk distances greater than 3 miles a day (this is in total). She also has numerous food intolerances and therefore has to have a very specialist diet. Originally the drs prescribed some items for her - such as her milk until we found out she was intolerant to that as well. Now we have to source and fund specialist milk for her - at our cost as the dr cannot get it on prescription and its really expensive. We also have to give it to the school cos although she qualfies for the free milk - she can't have it and they cant order her specialist milk.
Does anyone know if there is any financial help we can get. Her leg issues mean we will need to pay a childminder to do the school run as she has to go to the school local to the house - but my other children's school is 4 miles away which is too far for her to attend ( I am appealing their school places based on her medical needs) and also the cost of feeding her as it is not a lifestyle choice.
We do not qualify for WTC or CTC.
Thanks all

[kindredspirits]

Have you tried looking into disability allowances?? I think you should be able to get some sort of DLA if she has a recognised physical disability.

[PixiePetal]

how old is she? my friends DD had DLA for a while - she has arthritis and a muscle condition so could not walk far. She was offered a transport and a chaperone to get to school when she started (although this was never taken up as my friend wanted to take her herself), when she turned 5 she got a bus pass as thats how they got to school - must have saved a fortune rather than chaperone and a car!

I think there were benefits based her personal care needs and travel once she was over 5 - lots of forms to fill and not easy to get but worth a try

it is hard now with cutbacks all round if you are not in the system of benefits, it is even harder

[BuggsieMoo]

Thanks for your replies. Ive just spoken to the Benefits Agency and explained her condition and she felt that she would be entitled to DLA - maybe at the lower rate, but still entitled to it so she is sending me the forms I need to fill in. DD is just 5. x

[sarah707]

The DLA form is a complete nightmare to fill in. You have to be really brutal and write things that you don't normally want to think about

However it's important you think about worst case scenario - they want to know the worst or they will not help you.

Hugs x

[BuggsieMoo]

Thanks Sarah707. She's been given her school place based on her limitations and I have drs evidence to back it all up - now just to fill in the paperwork.

[PixiePetal]

Thanks Sarah707. She's been given her school place based on her limitations and I have drs evidence to back it all up - now just to fill in the paperwork.

good luck with the form filling. I was a referee or whatever it is called for my friends DD. I had to write things about her which made me cry as my DD is a year older and they were years apart physically.

I know you have to base it on not being able to do what children her age normally can

Her DD is now 17, having injectiuons to keep her on track physically, passed all her GCSEs at A* and now doing A levels to become a vet - something we never thought she would be able to do when once the Drs said she may never walk - and may still not, but she is following her dream as far as possible

[BuggsieMoo]

good luck with the form filling. I was a referee or whatever it is called for my friends DD. I had to write things about her which made me cry as my DD is a year older and they were years apart physically.

I know you have to base it on not being able to do what children her age normally can

Her DD is now 17, having injectiuons to keep her on track physically, passed all her GCSEs at A* and now doing A levels to become a vet - something we never thought she would be able to do when once the Drs said she may never walk - and may still not, but she is following her dream as far as possible

Ah thats fantastic. My DD is facing major surgery in the next 3 years (depends on how quickly her condition deteriorates) where they will break her leg, cut the tendons etc and re pin it in the correct position - to then do it to the other leg. She will also need a hip replacement when she is older. We've been told that she has to learn her limitations - like any other 5 year old she wants to be in the thick of things but every day I get a call from school to tell me about another accident she has had cos her legs arent working and she is trying to be like her friends. She cries every night as well from the pain and some mornings doesnt even want to get out of bed and cries when we make her. xx

[PixiePetal]

Ah thats fantastic. My DD is facing major surgery in the next 3 years (depends on how quickly her condition deteriorates) where they will break her leg, cut the tendons etc and re pin it in the correct position - to then do it to the other leg. She will also need a hip replacement when she is older. We've been told that she has to learn her limitations - like any other 5 year old she wants to be in the thick of things but every day I get a call from school to tell me about another accident she has had cos her legs arent working and she is trying to be like her friends. She cries every night as well from the pain and some mornings doesnt even want to get out of bed and cries when we make her. xx

my post sounded like she can't walk now - I meant she may not still be able to be a vet

wishing your DD well - it's hard for them to want to be like all the others and can't. Friends DD used to end up flat on her face if she fell forward - can't use her arms to save her face cos of the muscle condition and flailed her arms about for balance when trying to run. School was great (chose a small school) and she is such a trier and a hard worker

[appleblossom]

Thanks Sarah707. She's been given her school place based on her limitations and I have drs evidence to back it all up - now just to fill in the paperwork.

Contact the Council welfare Rights Officer. They will help you fill in the forms and will know wexactly what needs to go in them to give you the best chance of success with your claim. They know of many points you need to cover which you may not think of.

[blue bear]

Does your daughter see a physio or occupational therapist, they will help fill the form in with you.

[BuggsieMoo]

Hi she has no physio at the moment or consultant as she is being referred from one hospital to another as we are in the process of moving over 100 miles. The benefits lady is sending me the forms (will take 2 weeks to get here) and then we are to fill them in and submit from the new house. I will def speak to the council person as well. Can anyone who knows my DD be a ref for her?
x

[tinkerbelle]

good luck with DLA my partner had cancer aged 12 and had a lower limb amputation weve been trying for dla for 2 and a half years and he cant get anything despite not being able to wear his limb due to sores it causes so he CANT walk theyve told him he doesnt qualify as he could always walk with crutches

[ginag]

Hi BuggsieMoo.
You may also be eligible for Carers Allowance. Once you have DLA and CA in place it may also be worth re-applying for WTC/CTC as being entitled to these benefits may make you eligible for those. CA has a limit on earnings of £100 p.w. for the Carer but that is calculated as a third of a childminder's total weekly income. So as long as you do not earn more than £300 per week averaged out over the year you should be eligible.
Sarah is right you have to think of the worst day that you and your daughter have and record that in your DLA application. It is awful doing it I know and when I have had to do it for my 2 sons it has taken me days, as I do a little and have to have a break from it, as it can be very upsetting.
Good luck with it all. Lots of hugs.

Gina xxx

[BuggsieMoo]

Well forms came in the post today and ive got just under 2 months to get them filled in and sent back - looking at them it may well take me that long to fill them in

We might not get awarded it - I know how hard it can be to get the DLA (Uncle is disabled and got pensioned off from MOD as unfit to work and also signed off for life by his dr yet they said cos he could get to a meeting - he had lots of help and what should haev taken no more than an hour took him 6 as he had to keep stopping, then he clearly didnt need the DLA - he is now on the higher rate!) but if I don't try and fight my DD's corner then no one will.

xx

[breezy]

Its worth the fight to get the help, get in touch with your local social services Children with Disabilities Team they can help fight your corner.

[The Juggler]

i was also going to suggest DLA honey. so sorry for your DD you know if she gets statemented at school under the new SEN rules you will be given an allowance which you will spend on services as you see fit and you consider best for your dd.

This process takes a long time so I would look into how early you can start it.

Meanwhile hope you get the DLA.

[BuggsieMoo]

i was also going to suggest DLA honey. so sorry for your DD you know if she gets statemented at school under the new SEN rules you will be given an allowance which you will spend on services as you see fit and you consider best for your dd.

This process takes a long time so I would look into how early you can start it.

Meanwhile hope you get the DLA.

I didn't know this so when she starts at her new school in September, I will speak to them about this. SHe was allocated this school place based on her condition so they should hopefully be understanding of it. As it stands at the moment, I have sent the DLA forms back - they have our new address on as we get the house in a weeks time. Fingers crossed I don't need to fight this. x