Two claims at once!

Hi I am applying for Dla for my son who has been ill for 2 years now and for the last 8 months his paediatrician has been trying to find a specialist to treat him, he has the same genetic disability/illnes that both my daughter and I have.The problem is now that he is 16 he can't be seen by a paed specialist and has to wait until 18 to see my specialist. My son is too ill to attend school and is educated through the LA at home he is quite poorly and I am his 24 hr carer. Now here comes the crunch I have been told by DWP to put in a new claim for myself as my file on the computer is showing no info (I was origionaly turned down in Oct2010 I asked for a review and sent latest scans etc they then said still no go and a week later I received a letter saying they are writting to G.P for a report which he sent back to them 1st Dec. I phoned two weeks ago to find out what was happening and told my case was closed on their computer and to re apply. Has anyone applied for DLA whilst also being a carer for a dependant sick child.We are on the waiting list for an assessment of needs through the Adult social care team as the O.T who came to do my assessment of needs and supplied the equiptment for the house felt that we needed alot of extra help as I have mobility issues plus heart probs etc. and my son still needs care for the same heart probs and neurological disability. I am filling in both forms at the same time it's bad enough doing one in the time limit.We both have medical letters and reports to back up our individual claims but was wondering if DWP would think "how can I have needs if I care for my son" NB we both sleep downstairs for easy access and we survive on microwave meals!!!Sorry this is a long one, forms due back 3rd March any advice VERY welcome and thankyou in advance.

hassled mum wrote:

Hi I am applying for Dla for my son who has been ill for 2 years now and for the last 8 months his paediatrician has been trying to find a specialist to treat him, he has the same genetic disability/illnes that both my daughter and I have.The problem is now that he is 16 he can't be seen by a paed specialist and has to wait until 18 to see my specialist. My son is too ill to attend school and is educated through the LA at home he is quite poorly and I am his 24 hr carer. Now here comes the crunch I have been told by DWP to put in a new claim for myself as my file on the computer is showing no info (I was origionaly turned down in Oct2010 I asked for a review and sent latest scans etc they then said still no go and a week later I received a letter saying they are writting to G.P for a report which he sent back to them 1st Dec. I phoned two weeks ago to find out what was happening and told my case was closed on their computer and to re apply. Has anyone applied for DLA whilst also being a carer for a dependant sick child.We are on the waiting list for an assessment of needs through the Adult social care team as the O.T who came to do my assessment of needs and supplied the equiptment for the house felt that we needed alot of extra help as I have mobility issues plus heart probs etc. and my son still needs care for the same heart probs and neurological disability. I am filling in both forms at the same time it's bad enough doing one in the time limit.We both have medical letters and reports to back up our individual claims but was wondering if DWP would think "how can I have needs if I care for my son" NB we both sleep downstairs for easy access and we survive on microwave meals!!!Sorry this is a long one, forms due back 3rd March any advice VERY welcome and thankyou in advance.

Only part I can help with is the "gap" you find your son in regards Dr speak to your GP and get the PCT to fund care via the childrens team till he is 19... they should do that.. if he had got sick age 15 then this gap you talk of is ell known but aas he has been under there care for some time they should carry on seeing him and they then should arrange and by arrange I mean find a dr and do a refer/handover letter to the new team

its strange this has happened

oh one other thing I know of one person getting dla and being a carer if there is no conflict in your problem and the help you are able to give then it can happen but you need expert advice on that

Hi hassled mum

I think you need face-to-face advice with this from an advisor who is able to look at the documentation of your claim.

If I understand your post correctly, you were turned down for DLA in October, asked for a reconsideration/review, the DWP says their computer is showing no info (another way of saying that they lost all your info), and they are telling you to reclaim.

If you have a letter informing you of their decision in October and you asked for a review, they are obliged to reconsider the original decision and cannot tell you to reclaim. Also, they cannot legally close your claim over the phone; it has to be put in writing, so I would recommend seeing the CAB or a welfare rights organization.

Hope this helps

Derek

Thankyou for your help, I know it will be a long and complex battle, I would put my sons care above my own and if needs be drop my claim,the money would have gone towards more help, taxis to hospital and prescription costs for me as my ESA is contributions based I don't get help with this.However my son is more important because he is only 16 and has no quality of life and it might just be easier to fight only one battle at a time!I will carry on with the claims and see what happens,letter from O.T today says:
"Given your complex health needs and your role as carer for your son who also has substantial health needs, I referred you to Esher Social care team for further advice on what support may be available"
We are on the waiting list which needless to say is quite backed up!!!

Thankyou Gordon, any help is better than none!!