My son was diagnosed as moderately deaf when he was 8 months old. At first we thought it was glue ear. But it wasn't -he has had hearing aids for 18 months , he is now nearly 4. I have only just found out that I could have been claiming Disability Living Allowance for 4 years (no one told me?!) has anyone else had this experience, do you know if it can be back dated?

believe me - you can try - but, your chances are slim to none. then again every thing is worth a try. You will be able to claim more tax credits btw when in receipt of dla for your child. and ask about a possible reduction in your poll tax.

Yes, although not for hearing aids and for another member of my family truely shocking what you aren't told.
Not sure about the backdating sorry

worth a try but i understand dla is usually only backdated to day you phone up for a form (so do that asap)
make sure you get help filling out the form (not from dla though!) as a lot depends on the way you word things
it is a v common story for people to only find out after years of struggling with a long term condition that they could have been claiming dla all along. never any information at the gp's/hospitals even as posters or flyers. shame

I'm profoundly deaf and only found out a few years ago I could claim DLA!! I applied pronto and was granted the lower rate - but its only backdated from when you put the claim in.

The important thing with this form is that you need to illustrate how the disability costs you extra money - for example, taxis to and from the ENT, parking, any extra help that he may need - interpreters at any school events etc. The best thing to do would be to ring up the RNID or the National Deaf Childrens Society and they will be able to give you help with the form and advise how to appeal if it gets turned down. Be patient - its worth pushing it!

Anything I can do to help, please let me know!

Puss

I ment slim to none getting dla back dated by the way , not slim to none in getting dla.

I've had hearing problems since I was 15, I was diagnosed with nerve damage at 18 & offered a hearing aid at the time I refused to wear one as I was managing but over the years my hearing has deteriorated. Just after I had my son I was diagnosed with Menieres disease I now wear two hearing aids & am 80% deaf, i'm on permenent medication, have had to buy my own hearing aid compatable telephone, loud alarm clock & have equipment from social services to help with my condition & i've been refused DLA twice the reasons being my condition is apparently not permanent & I can walk & talk. To me it seems as if people who are deaf are unfairly treated when applying for DLA, has anyone had similar experience?

I have just seen this and this is so bizarre! I am deaf too, have been since birth, I have a 80-90% loss of hearing due to nerve not developing as a direct result of my mum having rubella.

Anyhow, because I can walk talk etc I have to pay for things other than my hearing aids as everyone is entitled to a NHS hearing aid, just not the super douper ones!

DLA is not an option for me either so I know what your going thru

I used to work for the DLA and I wear two hearing aids.

I never got DLA after applying twice nor did anyone who applied for this reason whilst I was there get it.

Sorry, but you could try...

get someone to help you fill it in - someone from a deaf association

all to do with - you have to be there in case of a fire - how many times anight do you have to get up to help him - its about you caring for him.

if moderatley deaf means he can hear a fire alarm - and you are not needed to wake him - then you can't use it - things like this just wouldnt have occured to me had someone not told me - you really need someone to help you with the forms - they are fucking huge and ask the same questions but in a diferent way to catch you out i suspect

get assistance!!

I think you can only usually claim DLA for a child once they're 3, on the grounds that all kids need mobility help and 24hour care before then. The exception would be if you needed lots of trips to hospital or time-consuming care in the night.

The thing with DLA is you have to show what you (or your child) needs in terms of extra care compared to someone not deaf/disabled. So if it would be safe for most 4-year-olds to play in your garden but not your child because you couldn't shout at him, that might count. Hmm - doesn't sound very convincing. Maybe costs of getting to various appts and teachers so you can learn to communicate better with him?

Basically get help from someone who is good at filling in the form - try the CAB. But I'm not sure moderate deafness will count enough to qualify.

Notcitrus - you can claim DLA 6 months after diagnosis - my dd was about 7 1/2 months when we got hers.
Although all children need a high level of care, as custardo said, it is the care above and beyond, eg I can't leave dd with a babysitter who does not sign, we have to attend lots of appointments (which is expensive to get to and from), we had to learn to sign (which has cost us £700 so far)... it is much more than the level of care for a hearing child in some ways.

It is worth a try. My daughter gets middle rate care until she is 16 but she has got hearing/physical/learning disabilities so i think that swung it.

You can claim for a child under 3 but only the care componant the mobility doesn't start untill they are 3Yrs old

I applied for DLA for my daughter but did'nt get it. I found filling the form in quite upsetting and wished I hadn't bothered afterwards! That was about 4 years ago and I'm now quite glad that she doesn't get it as I don't think getting any extra money would have made any difference. I suppose it does depend on your financial situation though.

We got turned down too. DS1 is severe / profound, the form is a pain and at the time (he was 3) I did have lots of appointments which involved money in terms of transport and having my other kids looked after, it is also harder to communicate when we are in situations with lots of background noise etc. Now at 7 i'm not sure I would say he needs much more care than his hearing friends (he is in mainstream) but we have shelled out for vibrating alarm clock, special phone, hard drive recorder (to record subtitles). Personally I think there should be a more flexible system where we can access help when we need it rather than a blanket you get it and someone else doesn't even though they may have the same degree of hearing loss.