Good Evening Everyone.
I am after a bit of advice because I am confused on whether I should be applying for DLA for my child. I apologize now if I am not using the right words and terms.
My child is 18 months old and is currently under the care of ophthalmology and neurosurgery consultants (she has a VP shunt) as well as dieticians (she is only 6kg and on prescription high-calorie milk for reasons they can not diagnose) and social and mobility development with Portage counsellors.
Whether there is any relationship to any of the above we do not know but our child is susceptible to infections which mean that each time she falls ill it results in a week or more in hospital on drips and anti-biotics. Each time she has started recovering from one only to be attacked by a completely different one and so far we have had this 3 times in 7 months.
Obviously this means that one of us has to stay in hospital with our child. Each time she goes in she has to be investigated for recurring hydrocephalus which then involves MRI scans and occasionally transfers to the regional neuro unit.
One of the care staff through Portage suggested that because of the increased care that is needed we should consider applying for DLA on the basis that she has increased care needs.
My wife does not want to stop working, but if she would qualify for carer's allowance and my child for DLA then it would be a viable option - at the moment we pay for childcare but we don't use on average of 10% of the hours each month because of the little ones condition with sickness and appointments.
The overview is that we actually lose enough money through my wife (usually) having to take unpaid leave and the childminder bills that still need paying; it is now risking affecting being able to pay our bills each month. Don't get me wrong we would both love to work full time; but I see things not getting better in the medium-term.
Views are appreciated.
TP
I am after a bit of advice because I am confused on whether I should be applying for DLA for my child. I apologize now if I am not using the right words and terms.
My child is 18 months old and is currently under the care of ophthalmology and neurosurgery consultants (she has a VP shunt) as well as dieticians (she is only 6kg and on prescription high-calorie milk for reasons they can not diagnose) and social and mobility development with Portage counsellors.
Whether there is any relationship to any of the above we do not know but our child is susceptible to infections which mean that each time she falls ill it results in a week or more in hospital on drips and anti-biotics. Each time she has started recovering from one only to be attacked by a completely different one and so far we have had this 3 times in 7 months.
Obviously this means that one of us has to stay in hospital with our child. Each time she goes in she has to be investigated for recurring hydrocephalus which then involves MRI scans and occasionally transfers to the regional neuro unit.
One of the care staff through Portage suggested that because of the increased care that is needed we should consider applying for DLA on the basis that she has increased care needs.
My wife does not want to stop working, but if she would qualify for carer's allowance and my child for DLA then it would be a viable option - at the moment we pay for childcare but we don't use on average of 10% of the hours each month because of the little ones condition with sickness and appointments.
The overview is that we actually lose enough money through my wife (usually) having to take unpaid leave and the childminder bills that still need paying; it is now risking affecting being able to pay our bills each month. Don't get me wrong we would both love to work full time; but I see things not getting better in the medium-term.
Views are appreciated.
TP