DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!

Replies

By loopy

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 08:30

hi bev,
Its life i am afraid. I am sure that there are millions of pounds of benefits that go unclaimed every year because people dont know about them. The government only give you things when you beg for them or plead, nag, etc
We save this country millions of pounds a year by caring for our loved ones at home. But this comes with a high price, eg, stress, debt, financial hardship etc.
I too have had to cut back on things. I mostly buy supermarket economy brands as i feel that they are just as good and a few pounds/pence cheaper. I dont go out , smoke and only treat myself to occasional bottle of wine. I buy the cheapest clothes i can (asda, or tesco.......jeans £3.00!!). Its a struggle and i am always overdrawn at the end of the month ...... Lisa X

By sarahg

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 09:32

hi bev...are you a single parent? and on income support????

i know that there is a bonus benefit thing that you can get on top of yr income support its aroung 48.00 a week and gets paid with your income support....are you getting this?

also have you heard about the family fund? its a charity that can give money towards things you need and you can apply once a year.......that until your child turns 16.....

hope this helps
xx

By Tricia

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 09:55

Hello Sarah

That is interesting to hear about the top up bonus. I am a single parent on income support and have had a benefit check I was informed that I get everything which I am entitled to which is income support, carers allowance and of course as I get carers allowance I get a reduced rate of income support. I also get child benefit and child tax credits while my youngest is still in full time education. He has his DLA which is used up on the mortage to keep a roof over his head which suits his needs and just manages to keep the car on the road. (Recently have started to just use the car if he is with me or if I am attending meetings usually for the voluntary work which I do; I know I should claim voluntary expenses afterall the majority of people in paid employment would claim their voluntary expenses back!) But I get no top up of around £48.00 per week for being a single parent

As for saving for my children's future that went out of the window the day I became an unpaid carer for my child I can just manage to put food on the table and pay the bills each month.

By les

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 12:52

im a single parent. i use dla for any top up care i need for my child and to pay for his needs. isnt that what it is for.

By kerry

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 14:30

Ho Bev,
if u receive high or middle rate DLA for your child u should also apply for mobility (in fact u can even get mobility if he is on low rate DLA as my sister in law does)
if u got this it could lease u a car (if u receive it for 3yrs at a time) or if they give it to u for at last the next 5 yrs u can buy a car.of course u wouldnt then reveive the mobility, it would pay for the car.

as for the phone bill, it does seem a big high, there are so many companies out there now wanting our business, maybe u could shop around and get a cheaper deal (try confused.com)

the family fund provide a voucher for a washing machine and tumble dryer (about £400 washing machine and £230 for a tumble dryer- u have to buy a 5yr warrenty out of this money)
they also provide other things like money for a holiday, bedding, clothing etc.
But u cant get too much these days so u have to prioritise what is most important.
U must also be assessed and someone will come out to your house when your child is there.

u dont say how much per hour u pay your PA?
but £400 direct payments per month should go a fair way to some decent respite.

good luck
Kerry

By welfare

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 16:51

Hi - you should apply to the Social Fund for a Community Care Grant for Washing Machine and/or Tumble Dryer if they have to be replaced more frequently due to your child's disabilities and if you are in receipt of Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credits. That then leaves money from the Family Fund for things you can't get from a Community Care Grant.

By bev&conner

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Thu 7 Feb 2008 23:50

thanks all
nice to have some comments and to know there are people like our selves out there
kerry we get 6 hours a week for PA about £8 an hour
(not £400 a month)
the family fund can no longer help as child is 16 so who do we turn to now for help?
bye bev

By goddess57

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Wed 27 Feb 2008 12:36

I thought DLA is for helping the person seeing to there personaly needs which Im sure you do that for them,for without your help they wouldnt be able ,so why they say you should use this to get help Im not sure because it wouldnt be enough to cover the help you need or pay them the amount of help you need in a whole week ,This money is paid because you are giving the help to the disabled person yourself and every bit helps ,It is up to Social Services to give back up and a care package to cover there needs also ,Im told that a person has Right to Work and be supported by them ,Well so its stated not that it works that way ,if you know what I mean.Alot of changes need to be done and the way we are treated by Social Services,I would like one to come into my home for a week and see what its like to cope lol.caroline.

By Tricia

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Wed 27 Feb 2008 14:48

My son's DLA goes on every day expenses in the home. However, saying that it is because I am in the home to care for him. If he was ok and I was able to leave him at home alone I would be out working and bringing in an income.

But this has got me thinking about those who do not live with the caree. The caree gets their DLA to help towards the cost of getting someone to look after them. If they have a carer who comes in (Usually a relative) and the carer is on carers allowance and for some topped up with income support. How will this affect the carers, 'Carers Allowance and topped up income support' if the carer accepts payment from the caree from their DLA.

I can't see many carees giving up their DLA to use for what it is meant to be used as they will probably have a home to run themselves. But it has just crossed my mind these issues which I have just raised.

Even if the caree just give enough to cover expenses which incur due to the caring role such as traveling expenses and meal allowance.

Shall be interesting to hear what other carers who read this message boards thoughts are on this.

By trouble maker

Re: DLA what should it be used for !!!!!!!
Wed 27 Feb 2008 16:50

my dayghter receives £336.40 pm dla but they donot say if this is for care or mobility or both can anyone clarify this please