Benefits
If your child has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger Syndrome, you may be eligible to apply for Disability Living Allowance and possibly Invalid Care Allowance. Application forms are available from Post Offices, DSS offices or from The Disability Enquiry Benefits Line. Tel. 0800 882200. The Customer Care Helpline will give general advice and answer enquiries on claims Tel. 08457-123456. Leaflet SD1 “Sick or Disabled” outlines all the benefits available for people of all ages who are disabled, and the benefits available for people who look after them.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

DLA is a tax free social security benefit for people with an illness or disability

* Getting around (Mobility) There are 2 rates; low – if the child can walk but needs someone to make sure they are safe, or needs help and supervision to help them find their way round, or high – if the child is for example severely mentally impaired with behavioural problems, deaf and blind, physically disabled, cannot walk at all or can only walk short distances before they feel discomfort.(The mobility component of D.L.A. can only be claimed for children over the age of 5).

*Personal care (there are 3 rates; low - if the child needs some help during the day, middle - if the child needs help during the day or night, and high – if the child needs help both day and night

* Getting Around and Personal Care

DLA is available to children and adults with a disability. You will be asked to give examples of the help you give regularly, along with an estimation of how much time is has taken up. Over the course of one daym they are looking for you to have spent around an hour or more giving extra time to your child (aboe that which you would normally give to another child of the same age).D.L.A. is not means tested and can be awarded for anything from one year to life, but the forms are long and quite difficult to complete. Statements may be requested from professionals who have been assessing the child e.g. Paediatrician, Psychiatrist, School Doctor, GP, Speech Therapist, Teachers and you will be asked to give their contact details You will be asked to include a short statement from someone who knows your child such as a relative or friend. Completing the forms can be made easier by referring to a diary of what you do each day for your child (which is in addition to what you would do for a child without hi/her difficulties. it may also help to complete the forms over several days so as to include as much detail from yourself as possible and keep a copy!

Invalid Care Allowance (ICA)

If you qualify for the middle or higher rate Care component of DLA and look after the child for 35 hours or more a week, you may be able to claim Invalid Care Allowance. If you think you may qualify for ICA, you should not delay putting in your claim, even if your claim for DLA has not been decided. You may earn up to £72 a week after taking off certain expenses before ICA is affected. For further information, Tel 01253 856123 and ask for an Application Pack for Invalid Care Allowance. (Form DS700)

Income Support

If you are in receipt of Income Support and you get the highest rate of DLA for the Care Component, you will usually be able to get more Income Support. You may also be entitled to increased Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

Web Sites

The National Autistic Society produces a fact sheet on claiming DLA and Keeping A DLA Diary and this can be found on their Web Site www.nas.org.uk

The Benefits Agency provides information on benefits on their Web Site www.dss.gov.uk/ba

Further Information

This can be obtained by contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau, The Disability Benefit Enquiry Line (0800-882200) or The Disability Alliance (020-7247-8766)

If your child has a written diagnosis, such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, it is worth stating on the application form that this is a life long disorder, as sometimes life time awards are granted. This means that you would not have to reapply in the future.

Copies of the booklet "Disability Living Alliance - A guide and checklist" are available from The Disability Alliance, Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth Street, London E1 7SA (Please send cheque payable to "The Disability ALliance" for £3.50 to the above address with order). Stroud Autistic Support Group also has a copy of this book in the library.

N.B. This information is for guidance only and does not necessarily represent the views of Stroud Autistic Support Group. There is no guarantee that your application will be successful. If your application is turned down you will be advised by the Benfits Office of the prodcedure to follow if you wish to dispute the decision.