Disability Allowance Part 2...

[Meg888]

I posted on this the other day as I have someone coming to asses my daughter who has just turned 16. We get DLA for her as she has special needs. They're coming to assess if she is capable of handling her own finances which she's not. So I had a talk with her to explain this person coming, and of course she believes she is capable of receiving the money. Which would no doubt get spent sweets and suchlike! But the question of 'what is the money supposed to be used for' came up; and I'm not actually sure, I got told a few months back I would probably be entitled so I spoke to citizens advice who helped with the form, and then it was awarded. I've always just used it as part if the household income, I work full time so I'm not dependent on it but I don't actually know exactly what it's for if I'm honest. I don't receive carers allowance (I don't think). So can anyone advise exactly what the purpose of it is. My girl is going to 6th form so she's continuing full time ed.

[mccfluff]

does she need looking after when you are not around?

[bednobs]

the purpose of dla is to defray extra costs that the person would have spent on someone helping them with the things they can't do. For example, if they can't walk far, paying someone to accompany them, or if they can't wash and dress themselves, paying for a carer to help, or if they can't cook a meal, paying for ssomeone to do that. You don't actually have to be paying for this help to get it (eg it could be provided by a family member)

[bednobs]

it doesn't have to be spent on those things though (for example, someone who can't cook a meal could simply decide just to eat crisps instead, rather than pay for help, but they would still be entitiled to that money)

[Ratty2E]

In my understanding DLA is to pay for the extra help or equipment a disabled person might need to help them get by day to day.

[bednobs]

ps, if they decide they are not paying it to her directly, could you make some sort of arrangement whereby she could have limited control over the mony?

[Meg888]

She can stay by herself at home, but she's not very capable. Ie she can only do basic stuff, like make herself a sandwich or have a pack if crisps. I don't let her bathe or shower when I'm not in as she's prone I accidents. She can get about in her own but only if she knows exactly where she's going, for instance if she got lost she could not get herself home as she wouldn't think to get a taxi or know how to work out a bus route. She's also very vulnerable an easily exploited. We have paid money into a bank account for couple of yrs now to teach her budgeting independence etc. but she she has ran into problems with that. She's drawn to inappropriate friendships, ie people who will use her for there own ends - loads of probs there too. She's attending a special school in sept as she's always been in mainstream because as she gets older its become more apparent just how vulnerable she is. She's more like a 10 yr old.

[bednobs]

did you manage to get her into the school you wanted after all?

[Meg888]

Hi bed knobs, no sadly as the one I wanted was too much money for the council to part with! But they have offered a very good second option, only prob is that school is over subscribed so we're still waiting to hear if she's got a place. I can't believe how long they're taking. They never respond to calls or emails. Thanks for the replies everyone :-)