Filling out benefits forms can be difficult. It can sometimes seem as though the forms are designed to be as hard as possible. These tips may make filling out Disability Living Allowance (DLA) forms a bit easier.

  • Always keep in mind why you are filling out the form, ie to give a picture of your child's disabilities. Don't include amusing anecdotes.
  • Ask someone from outside your family who knows your child to help. You may take all the help you give your child for granted, but what's normal for a family with a child with autism (including Asperger syndrome) may be unusual for other families.
  • Keep a detailed diary of all the help you give your child, including the time you dedicate to helping them, the distances you may travel, etc. The diary should include headings relevant to the DLA form and can act as a prompt when you are completing the form.
  • Have a trial run. This will allow you to plan the most appropriate things to write in different sections of the form. You may come up with more descriptive, succinct phrases; better examples of your child's difficulties, etc.
  • Keep a copy of your completed form. This has a number of benefits, such as providing all the information relevant to your claim should you need to appeal against a decision or ask for a review. It will also help when the benefit award period ends and your claim is renewed, since you have to fill in a renewal form giving almost the same information all over again.

    If you keep a copy of your form, it may also be useful to parent groups, so that other parents can get an idea of what to write when completing their forms.
  • Access additional help.
    • The information sheet DLA: what is it? is available from our Autism Helpline, and gives a brief overview of the benefit. You can download a copy from www.autism.org.uk/a-z or telephone our Helpline to ask for one on 0808 800 4104.
    • Your local Citizen's Advice Bureau, advice services, or professionals involved with you child (eg social workers, paediatricians, teachers, speech and language therapists) may all be able to help with structuring and writing your form. Check with them in advance to ask if they are in a position to help.
    • Try your local NAS Branch (visit www.autism.org.uk/branches to see if we have a Branch in your area) or parent support group. Parents who have already filled out the DLA form and been awarded the benefit could be valuable sources of information and help.
    • If you are a member of an NAS Branch or local parent group, think about arranging DLA meetings. Invite a local welfare rights worker or similar, if possible.

      You might also think about keeping a library of claim forms which have been successful (delete people's personal details from them). Other parents can use these forms for information, but encourage them to write in their own words and refer to their personal experiences when completing their forms.
    • You can apply for the low rate mobility component of DLA once your child is four years and nine months old (the low rate mobility component is only awarded to children aged five or more). However, remember that when the Department of Work and Pensions looks at your child’s award they can reassess the care component as well as looking at the mobility component.
    • If you are making your first claim for DLA, telephone the Benefits Enquiry Line for a claim pack. The Benefits Enquiry Line number is 0800 882 200 (or 0800 22 06 74 if you live in Northern Ireland). Your DLA form, included in the claim pack, will be stamped with the date you requested it. This means that if you are awarded DLA, it will be from this time.
    • Don't be put off by part 24 ‘Help the child needs when they go out during the day or in the evening’
      of the DLA form. This section is looking for information about the kinds of activities that you and your child would be able to do if you had the help you need.
    • Don't worry if you have a strained relationship with your GP - if possible explain in the form that there is another professional who knows more about your child and give their contact details. This will encourage the Department of Work and Pensions to write to them rather than to the GP.
    • Follow the guidelines and add extra information if you want to. Refer back to your answers to previous questions when giving more information to make sure you do not contradict yourself. If you include additional sheets of information, these must have your name and reference number (National Insurance number or Child Benefit number) on them.
    • Don’t assume that the person making a decision about your claim will know anything about autism. Explain all the extra care that your child needs as if explaining to a person who knows nothing about autism and nothing about your child. Don’t be afraid of repeating yourself. 
    • Remember that you are filling out the form for a good reason. People with autism have a disability and can be entitled to disability benefits.

     

    I have young twins with autism and have found the last year or two extremely stressful. We have also found ourselves slipping into debt, partly because we did not know how to fill in the DLA claim forms properly. Recently their review came up, and this time round I made the time to pore over the NAS guidance notes online. I found the information extremely useful. The result was that both children were awarded the higher rate DLA for both care and mobility, which is an immense relief. Now we can plan for the future and dedicate more time to caring for the children rather than worrying about money all the time.

    I would like to thank the NAS for providing this valuable support service.
    Christopher, parent

     

     

     

    Quick link to this page: www.autism.org.uk/18330