Hello everybody
My 14 year old daughter has recently been diagnosed with MS. This is obviously going to put a considerable strain on our financial situation. I have looked at applying for DLA but am concerned because when she is not in relapse she can walk etc. with no aids and to look at her would not think there was anything wrong. Has anybody had any problems with claims for help and what would be the best way to go about claiming? Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Hi, new claimantsDLA, now have to apply for PIP, as DLA has changed.
So if you do want to make a claim, you need to ask for PIP claim forms.
MS is known for being very variable and claimants are advised to describe what life is like on their worst days, when filling in the forms.
I think if I were you, I would ask for the forms and then get some advice from the Benefits and Work team. This is a body you can join for about £20 a year. They are a body of solicitors well versed in benefits.
luv Poll.
ps I daresay you will get more replies which may help you more than mine has.
Thanks Poll
As my daughter is still only 14 I was told that DLA still applies. I believe PIPS is for adults and those over 16. Will look into Benefits and works team, thanks
DLA is not being replaced by PIP for claimants under 16. Once a child reaches 16 they will be invited to apply for PIP in their own right, up to then DLA is claimed by the parent.
Claiming any benefit with a variable condition is challenging. Especially with MS when the difference between relapsing and remitting states can be very different indeed. The old advice of write as though it was “your worst day” will no longer cut it . Almost everyone has a face to face assessment now. If you fill the form in with relapsing condition as though that was your permanent sate and then turn up for a medical on a better day it will look fishy and your form information may be disbelieved.
It’s all about how much of the week/month/year that you experience difficulties. My advice is to indeed describe your worst day but qualify this by saying that there are some better days and to quantify the times when each occurs. (The rule of thumb is that you will need help about 50% of the time)That way if you turn up for a medical on a better day you will have already covered that possibility and will not have put the information on your form up for dispute.
If the results of the medical are used to disallow the claim you will have grounds to appeal by referring to the application form detailing the poorer aspects of your condition and the way in which it affects your life.
The application form does not give enough room. You will tick the “it varies” box and be asked to amplify. The form gives you room for just a sentence or two. In most cases this is insufficient to fully describe the variable nature of MS and you should have no hesitation using additional sheets.
Good Luck
Hi You can apply for DLA and if you are successful in your claim and also receive Tax credits you will be able to claim the disability element from them also. Good luck Polly x
If you and your partner are on a low income you will be eligible for child tax credits. If you are successful in claiming DLA for a child it can affect Child Tax Credits as follows:
Disabled child element with either component OF DLA at any rate
Severly Disabled child element if the care component is paid at the highest rate.
Thanks Jane for updating me (and everyone else) how the sytem works for the under 16s.
pollx