Disability Living Allowance

So, I thought I'd do a bit of a blog post on the process of receiving DLA.

I applied for C a couple of years ago now. This was before the first set of grommets were inserted and the first attempt at removing his tonsils and adenoids (they grew back - but we can do another blog post on that). Before this surgery, C had obstructive sleep apnoea on top of everything else. His large tonsils and adenoids were blocking his airways when he was sleeping and causing him to hold his breath while he slept.

I noticed C doing this since he was a baby. I took him to the doctors and was told, "you're being an over cautious first time mum. Babies breathe differently to adults." But I knew something wasn't right. Eventually, we got the diagnosis and someone suggested to me I might apply for DLA.

I wasn't sure of what DLA was, so I looked into it and found a few mums.net threads on it. I hadn't thought of C's condition to be a disability, but the financial support was attractive, especially given I was a single mum. I downloaded the application and was immediately put off.

It's a lengthy form. In essence, you have to prove that looking after your child is harder than looking after a child the same age who doesn't suffer the same illness or disability. This consisted of answering a number of questions around how often you have to support them with particular day to day activities, including at night. I got a note from our ENT, which supported the application. 

At the time, C was only 2, and so speech wasn't something anyone was too concerned about. His sleeping, and subsequent behaviour and energy levels, were. I sent hospital letters, diagnosis letters, and the consultant letter and after a few months (it is a long wait), we were given mid-rate care.

This was to cover C up until his 5th birthday. He's 5 next month so we've had to reapply. Given he's had his tonsils and adenoids removed, the application this time will focus around his speech delay and the difficulties this brings. I'll keep you updated on that, but a friend of ours whose son also has a speech delay, applied for DLA and it was accepted.

If you applied for DLA for a speech delay, how did you find it?