As part of Pippin we believe it is important to make you aware of what you could be entitled to. You may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if your child has a speech delay. You have to complete a detailed application form to apply for this. We recommend requesting a form to be sent to you rather than printing it off since it is about 40 pages. The more evidence you can provide of your child’s speech delay the quicker your DLA request will be answered since if they do not have enough information they cannot review the application. Therefore include a copy of any speech assessments you have had done, either privately or through the NHS. There is also a section where the school or nursery can provide information on how they help your child.
The reason speech delay is seen as eligible under DLA is that the government realises there are additional things you may need to purchase which you might not otherwise have had to buy. This could be additional toys, posters or various items around your house which promote speech. It could be used for private speech therapy or for services such as Pippin premium. There is no mandate on what you must use DLA on.
DLA is not means tested therefore it does not matter on your household income nor does it matter on your savings or assets. It is purely down to whether or not the condition upon which you are claiming for is eligible, so in this case speech delay.
There is no fee involved in applying, other than postage, so you might as well try. It can take on average 10 or more weeks to get a response as to whether or not your application was successful.
If your DLA application is successful and you are awarded the middle rate then you might then become eligible for carers allowance. The carers allowance changes every year or so but is eligible if you care for someone at least 35hrs a week (this would equate to 9-5pm every weekday).
For further information and eligibility for these allowances head to:
https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/eligibility
Please note that this information is accurate at the time of writing, July 2022, and is only available for individuals within the UK.