Domicillary for ADHD

dee61

Hi Guys,

I've applied for domiciliary care allowance for my son who has ADHD. I was refused and it’s now under review/appeal.

Has anyone here ever won this on appeal?(ireland)

Dempo1

Morning OP, sorry to hear this.

Assuming your child has a confirmed diagnosis and is under 16 , my guess (only a guess) is that much like Disability Allowance there seems to be an inordinate amount of initial declines and a more comprehensive look at applications on appeal and then approval. It's when an appeal is lodge it would seem a case officer is assigned and they look at all the medical reports, seek opinions etc.

I can't explain why and particularly if there is a confirmed diagnosis, whatever the illness or disability it takes an appeal but in fairness medical matters are complex and every case different in some respects.

I'm sure you and your GP submitted as much information , medical reports etc to achieve a positive outcome.

I've not had a personal experience but just thought I'd mention how applications for disability type Allowances seem to be processed, hopefully someone who's had direct experience might come on and advise you further.

I wish you both well .

Nigzcurran

Yep this happened to us twice on different applications which were refused but granted on appeal, especially for any arrears you might be entitled to, best of luck with it.

dee61

Great, thanks for the reply. Did you send in any other documents to strengthen your appeal?

dee61

Thanks for replying. Yes he has been diagnosed with severe ADHD. I would imagine it’s the same as the disability allowance so hope he eventually gets the allowance. 🙂

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941968#Comment_118941968

No problem, I've seen the need to appeal decisions add to an already stressful time. Just in relation to additional information, if there is a confirmed diagnosis, I presume information pertaining to that was submitted on original application along with letter from GP, specialists notes etc so if so, I think you've submitted as much as is possible.

Stay positive 😉

dee61

Yes I’ve submitted everything already. I sent in a diary of our typical days also just to give them more of an idea of the extra care he needs. Here’s to hoping 🤞

noplacehere

It’s not about diagnosis, you have to prove that your child’s needs are greater than another child of the same age.

however judging from the DCA warriors group on Facebook (very helpful) there is a huge amount of declines initially. If you’ve done daily diary etc I would imagine you are covered

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942027#Comment_118942027

Odd statement, of Course its about Diagnosis amongst other things and yes alot to do with a child or persons needs. My point about an actual Diagnosis being, it helps the process.

Lack of Diagnosis of a defined illness / Disability makes any ultimate decision making process more difficult to reach.

dee61

Yes, that’s correct. I’ve tried to join DCA Warriors group but still haven’t been accepted.

GP has ticked the severe box for mental health and behaviour.

DCA officer has stated that she doesn’t doubt my child needs extra care but it’s not substantially in excess of another child his age without ADHD( which of course is untrue).

I asked my GP for another letter stating he needs substantial extra care and she gave me a letter stating he needs extra care for reasons such as being a flight risk etc. she didn’t write substantial on the letter and I’m just thinking is that letter worthless since DCA hasn’t denied he needs extra care.

ZX7R

Are you receiving carer's allowance for your child.

noplacehere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942082#Comment_118942082

My experience from within that group and reading a lot of stories is that it isn’t about the diagnosis even if yes it is nice to have and may be helpful. Plenty of people without a diagnosis will get it and plenty of people with a diagnosis won’t.

It is about proving that your child has greater needs than another child. While you may use the diagnosis as part of it the form for DCA is all about the impact that the diagnosis (or lack of it) has on the child that makes his needs far higher than other children.

As a parent it’s an awful form to fill in and parents often wait far too long to apply as a consequence. You have to describe in minute detail the impact the child is having on the household and exactly what additional needs they have. This is what I mean about the diagnosis not being the focus of the application

For example it’s isn’t just enough to say ‘my child has x diagnosis’. It’s more ‘My child has sensory difficulties. I cannot leave the house without bringing his teddy (he needs it to rub), a chewy necklace (he never stops chewing and may chew on anything he comes across without it), his ear defenders (he gets very overwhelmed with just a normal noise level in public). These all need to be tracked down before we leave the house or he will refuse to leave. He cannot keep track of his own things so this adds to the time to prepare to get the family out of the house. My other children just need a coat or jumper. while we are out if he gets overwhelmed he is a flight risk. For example I cannot bring him shopping with me without a child restraint strap now as he ran out in front of a car and nearly got knocked down’

etc etc. OP I’m glad you did a daily diary, I’ve heard of a family impact statement being useful too

noplacehere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942112#Comment_118942112

Yeah this is what I mean OP. They aren’t questioning the diagnosis. They are questioning whether the diagnosis is causing enough of a difference in needs between the child and another child.

make sure you have the questions answered for the DCA group and my experience was they took a while to accept me too

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942260#Comment_118942260

I apologise, no offence was intended and I can't honestly imagine how difficult the process is on top of what parents have to deal with. I felt due to the complexities involved in diagnosing ADHD (I do have a few friends that have gone through the process) that having the diagnosis will help but of course I take on board all the other daily challenges that need to be documented and of course your own experience.

noplacehere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942281#Comment_118942281

Totally get you. It seems to be a reasonably common misconception and can mean parents don’t get it. For some reason the diagnosis alone isn’t the important bit. I suppose maybe the thinking in the DCA department is that most of these diagnosis have a spectrum and don’t always impact massively.

At the moment however almost no one seems to be getting any therapy or proper support so everyone is trying to get DCA so that they can fund private therapy. The whole system public and private is falling apart. SLT in particular is a shambles and I know a lot of the private practice have also closed their lists as they are overwhelmed. Similarly getting an ASD diagnosis. The more reasonably priced private places (it ranges from about 900-2k) are all running long waiting lists or have closed their lists. It’s awful.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942315#Comment_118942315

Absolutely and excellent points, I've seen a lot of posts on seperate Disibility payments and the process people have to go through whilst having very few supports if any and it is awful. I am aware even getting diagnosis is incredibly difficult and just felt having it would help in the process but I do take on board your comments and excellent points. I of course understand any decision made has to factor in many different things and communication with Parents and claimants generally from the department seems, generally to be very poor.

I just hope OP is successful in the Appeal.

Thanks you

dee61

Yes exactly what you said, they don’t doubt the diagnosis only the impact.

Thanks for your input.

dee61

Thank you for your advice also.

dee61

That’s great advice, thanks for the detail.

dee61

No I’m not receiving carers allowance as I believe I need to be accepted for domicillary care allowance first.

ZX7R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942651#Comment_118942651

If the child is diagnosed and is deemed to need extra support care.

You should apply straight away for careers allowance

It's means tested but having the diagnosis papers is the most important thing.

Domiciliary is for the child only

But not having careers allowance can affect the rewarding of domiciliary for your child surprisingly.

Well it was 7 years ago when I went through it all with my son.

Best of luck.

apply for everything keep copies of everything applied for and any correspondences.

dee61

That’s great to know, I will definitely be applying for carers allowance tomorrow as he has the diagnosis etc. Thank you.

glen123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942991#Comment_118942991

One must have DCA approved first for a child before they can get Carer's Allowance.

However, considering delays with getting both DCA and Carer's, it's best to apply for both at the same time. Carer's application will go on hold until decision on DCA is made but Carer's won't be approved unless DCA has been granted.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/carers/carers_allowance.html

The person you are caring for must be:

• Age 16 or over and so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention or
• Under 16 and getting a Domiciliary Care Allowance.

ZX7R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943069#Comment_118943069

Good information

As I said it's 6 or 7 years ago when my wife applied,

She definitely received careers allowance before domiciliary.

dee61

Yep, you’re right. I’ll apply anyway and they can hold it until they make a decision on DCA, thanks.

dee61

Must have changed in more recent years but thanks anyway.

TooTired123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942082#Comment_118942082

The problem is always that applicants assume that the diagnosis of a sensory condition, supported by confirmation from the diagnosing physician, is enough to be awarded the DCA. It’s not unfortunately.

The most important part is the applicant demonstrating that this particular child aged say, 11, needs considerably more attention and a lot more time then an 11 year old who is not suffering with a condition.

They are particularly interested in hearing about the time and expense that goes into travelling to the frequent medical appointments of all kinds that are associated with these conditions. That’s the kind of stuff that the payment is supposed to cover. It’s important to give examples of this. It’s a pity and completely unacceptable that the appeals process takes so long.

dee61

I’ve kept a diary of this so hopefully it will work to our advantage with the appeal 🤞

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943314#Comment_118943314

👌