Yahoo News How much a child with autism is entitled to as DWP explains how you can claim
Disability Living Allowance for children is a benefit managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is designed to help cover additional expenses for those who care for a child below the age of 16 who has a disability, illness, or health condition.
Otherwise known as DLA for short, the benefit isn't means tested. This means the amount you get isn't impacted by how much you earn and the money can be spent on anything.
Any child aged 16 or over, should apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). According to Citizens Advice, you can get between £28.70 and £184.30 a week in DLA.
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If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you may be able to claim DLA. It is important to understand DLA is a non-diagnosis specific benefit, so having a diagnosis of autism will not automatically lead to an award.
However, many children on the autism spectrum do qualify for the benefit. DLA can be awarded at several different rates depending on the level of additional care that the child requires.
How much can you get?
The amount of DLA you get is made up of two parts called ‘components’ - the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’. Each component is paid at different rates.
You might get one or both components, depending on the type of care your child needs. You’ll only have to do one application.
Care component | How much (weekly) | Mobility component | How much (weekly) |
Higher rate | £108.55 | Higher rate | £75.75 |
Middle rate | £72.65 | Lower rate | £28.70 |
Lower rate | £28.70 |
The care component is based on how much care and supervision your child needs because of their condition. The mobility component is based on your child’s ability to walk and how hard they find it to get around places that they don’t know well.
How to claim DLA for your child
There are specific things that the DWP will be looking for when they make a decision on your claim - so it's important that you fill in the form as best you can. The DWP recommends that you read its advice on filling in the DLA form to have the best chance of success.
You can download an application form from GOV.UK.
It’s a good idea to make a copy of your filled-in application form and any other documents you send. This will be useful in case you need to refer to it later, for example if you need to reapply for DLA after a few years.
Send the form to: Disability Benefit Centre 4, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 1BY.
What happens after you send your claim form?
When the DWP receives your claim form, someone from the government will send you a letter to tell you they have got it. From the date you sent your form, it could take up to two weeks. If the DWP has your mobile phone number, you may get a text to let you know instead.
How DWP decides if you can or cannot get DLA for your child:
The DWP explains: "We look at your completed form and supporting information. We may contact you if we need more information. We may contact any of the people you have named on the form if you have told us we can do this.
"You will get a letter within seven weeks. The letter will tell you when you will get a decision. When we have made a decision, we will send you another letter. You should get this letter within 15 weeks.
"This letter will tell you if the child can or cannot get Disability Living Allowance for children. If the child can get it, the letter will tell you how much Disability Living Allowance for children they will get. It will also tell you how long you will get it."
What if you don't agree with the decision?
If you do not agree with DWP's decision, you can ask for someone to look at it again. DWP says: "When we look at the decision again, we call this a Mandatory Reconsideration. You usually need to ask us to look at your claim again within 1 month of the date on your decision letter.
"If you would like to talk to us about our decision, please call the Disability Living Allowance helpline on 0800 121 4600. You can write a letter telling us why you do not agree with our decision .Please send your letter to the address on your decision letter. You can also fill in a ‘Mandatory Reconsideration request form’."
To get the form and learn more about a Mandatory Reconsideration, go to gov.uk and search for Challenge a DWP decision. The DWP adds: "You can send us any other information you may have about how the child’s condition affects them. We will then send you a letter explaining our decision."
What happens if your child’s disability or health condition changes?
A health condition or disability can sometimes change. If this happens, it could mean the support your child needs also changes. The DWP urges: "If a child’s disability, health condition or personal details change, please tell us straight away. Do not wait for us to contact you."
Other changes you'd need to tell the DWP about include:
The child’s name or address.
Their contact telephone number.
The account we pay their benefit into.
If they go into a residential school or care home.
If you do not tell the DWP about a change, you may get paid too much money. If this happens, you may have to pay it back, you may have to pay a fine or you may face legal action.
What happens when your DLA claim is due to end?
When your Disability Living Allowance for children claim is due to end, the DWP will send you a new claim form to fill in. This is usually sent about 20 weeks before the DLA claim ends. Simply complete this form and send it back if you want to claim again. The DWP then decides whether the child can or cannot continue to get DLA.
Other types of support:
If your child gets Disability Living Allowance, you may also be able to get other benefits or financial help. If you care for a child, on the middle or highest rate of DLA, for 35 hours a week or more, you could get:
Carer’s Credit
Carer’s Allowance
Universal Credit
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Housing Benefit
For more information on the benefits, you may be able to claim, go to www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/benefits.
Symptoms of autism in children:
Signs of autism in young children include:
not responding to their name
avoiding eye contact
not smiling when you smile at them
getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound
repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body
not talking as much as other children
not doing as much pretend play
repeating the same phrases
Signs of autism in older children include:
not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling
unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others
liking a strict daily routine and getting very upset if it changes
having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
getting very upset if you ask them to do something
finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own
taking things very literally – for example, they may not understand phrases like "break a leg"
finding it hard to say how they feel
