Child Support: Benefits
The following information has been re-produced from the NDCS,( National Deaf Children's Society,) web site.
Q. What is Disability Living Allowance?
A. Disability Living Allowance is a social security benefit for people who have an illness or disability. It provides extra money for people who need:
help with personal care (the care component) and/or
help with walking or help when walking (the mobility component)
It is a tax free benefit. It does not matter how much money you have and it will not reduce any benefits you get.
Q. Can deaf children claim disability living allowance?
A. Yes. Many deaf children get Disability Living Allowance, whatever the level of their hearing loss.
You can claim the care component after three months from when your baby or child has been diagnosed deaf. There are three rates:
the lower or middle rate if your child needs help during the day OR night
the higher rate if your child needs help during the day AND night
There are two rates of the mobility component:
the lower rate if your child can walk but needs someone with them to provide guidance or supervision. This is available from the age of five.
the higher rate if your child is deaf and blind or they have other disabilities which means they cannot walk or are virtually unable to walk. This is available from the age of three.
You have to show that the help required by your child is greater than that needed by a hearing child of the same age.
Q. What is the Care Component?
A. The care component is for children who need help with personal care. This includes help with communication. You need to explain on the forms what help your child needs to communicate and how often they need the help.
You should include:
help with lipreading
help with signing
help with making themselves understood
help in understanding what is being said
extra help with their education
help with explanation of words
Q. My child lipreads very well. Can I claim?
A. Yes. You must show on the form all the things you do to enable your child to lipread.
There will be many things you do for your child which should be included. For example:
when you want your child's attention do you:
go into the same room as your child
make physical contact
flash the lights on and off
get to the same level as your child
make sure the light is on your face and there is nothing in the way
turn off the TV/radio or other background noise
when you have a conversation do you:
use mime and gesture
repeat words many times
try explaining new ideas using limited vocabulary
Q. My child signs. Can I claim?
A. Yes. The information you give must include:
what has to happen before a conversation can take place
what happens during a conversation
how often your child needs help with communicating and for how long at a time any help your child needs with understanding new words and ideas
who interprets for your child to communicate with people who do not sign
examples of when your child is not able to take part in conversations
Whether your child lipreads, signs or both, include anything you have to do before a conversation can begin and give detailed information about what happens when you are having a conversation.
Q. What other things should I include?
A. Include any extra help your child needs as a result of their deafness. This may be:
help to wake up
visiting hearing aid clinics
keeping hearing aids in good working order
looking after any other equipment your child has
visiting deaf clubs
learning about deafness
watching over to make sure they are safe from things like fire, water, strangers and animals
explaining the meaning of new words and ideas teaching new words and ideas remember that hearing children will pick up new words and ideas through TV, friends, overhearing conversations etc. Many things will have to be specially taught to your child, such as how to behave in social situations
extra help with education this may be extra help with English or Maths
personal and social education - including sex, drugs and HIV.
It may be worth keeping a diary of your child's needs over several days, or a comparison diary if you also have a hearing child of similar age.
Q. What is the Mobility Component?
A. You can get the lower rate mobility component if your child needs help getting around outdoors. Explain that your child needs someone with them out of doors because they:
cannot hear dangers coming from behind
have not developed road safety and personal safety awareness
cannot communicate with strangers
cannot use a telephone
could not cope in an emergency
may become anxious
Show how your child's needs are greater than a hearing child the same age. For example: your 5 year old needs someone to chase after them when they run towards a road whereas you can shout to a hearing 5 year old to stop.
You should claim the higher rate if your child is at least 3 years old and has additional difficulties that mean they cannot walk, virtually cannot walk, or if your child is deaf and blind.
Q. Can I claim for a child at a residential school?
A. You can claim for children at residential school and can get the mobility component while they are there. You can get the care component for your childs first 28 days at residential school after that you will only get it for days when your child is at home. Ask for our factsheet explaining how this works.
Q. How do I claim?
A. Claim on form DLA 1. If your child is under 16 make sure you ask for the child pack. If you live in England, Scotland & Wales call the Freephone number 0800 882200 (voice), 0800 243355 (text) for a claim pack. If you live in Northern Ireland phone Freephone 0800 220674 (voice), 0800 243787 (text). Ask for a date stamped form which will register the date of your claim. Claim forms are also available from your local Department for Work and Pensions. The date of the start of your claim will be the date your completed form is received by the Department for Work and Pensions, unless you requested a date stamped form.
Please contact DEAF Lincs family support worker if you need help to fill in the DLA claim forms.
The benefit rates for April 2006 March 2007 are below:
Disability Living Allowance Weekly rate;
Care component lower rate £16.50
Care component middle rate £41.65
Care component higher rate £62.25
Mobility component lower rate £16.50
Mobility component higher rate £43.45
Q. What if they turn me down?
A. If you are turned down or awarded a lower rate than you expected, you have one month (called the dispute period), from the date the decision is sent to you to challenge the decision. During this month you should request full written reasons for the decision from the Department for Work and Pensions. These should be sent to you within 14 days. The dispute period is therefore increased by 14 days.
Once you have received your full written decision you can then:
ask for the decision to be revised this means that a different Decision Maker will look at your claim. You can do this by telephone or fax, but we suggest that you do this in writing making sure you keep copies.
OR
ask for an appeal. You can apply on a GL24 form (available from your local Disability Benefits Centre or Department for Work and Pensions). You can also write a letter stating that you are requesting an appeal.
OR
if your childs condition deteriorates in this time, you can ask for a supersession of the decision, again in writing.
Make sure you submit any relevant information to support your revision, supersession or appeal. Ask any professional who has been in contact with your child to write a letter of support.
IMPORTANT: If an award has already been made, your challenge can result in either an increase or a decrease in benefit. It is best to get advice first about the strength of your case.
For further information and help with your claim contact DEAF Lincs..
Q. Other benefits.
A. If awarded Disability Living Allowance for your child you should check if you can now claim:
Carer's Allowance if you are caring for someone who gets at least middle rate care component, for at least 35 hours a week. Your earnings must average less than £79 a week. Some childcare expenses do not count as earnings. Get a claim form from your Post Office.
Disabled Child Premium/element claimants should be entitled to extra weekly money if you are getting Income Support; income-based Jobseekers Allowance; Tax Credits; Housing Benefit; Council Tax Benefit ask at your local Department for Work and Pensions.
Carers Premium extra weekly money on your Income Support; income-based Jobseekers Allowance; Housing Benefit; Council Tax Benefit for people who qualify for Carer's Allowance or would do except that they are getting another benefit which overlaps with it ask at your local Department for Work and Pensions.
Income Support for either the family or the young person (aged 16 or over) claiming ask at your local Department for Work and Pensions.