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Disabled child element - backdated?
When DLA has been awarded at Appeal, is the UC Disabled Child Element backdated? Is this done automatically or does it need to be requested on applicants journal?
Client will need to put entry on UC journal that DLA for the child is in payment, also the date notified so that element is added from correct AP. From experience it will not be automatic as there is no contact between DLA and UC.
Have ended up going all the way to an appeal before on this issue. Client had mentioned on the journal that son has started getting DLA, but hadnt formally reported it using the bureaucratic tools on the UC journal. Tribunal accepted the journal note entry as reporting the sons DLA award and backdated the disabled child element. Just brought to focus how much the process is at least in this case not automatic! The mother had actually also been awarded the carers element for caring for that same son. Despite this the Disabled child element had not been picked up.
Have ended up going all the way to an appeal before on this issue. Client had mentioned on the journal that son has started getting DLA, but hadnt formally reported it using the bureaucratic tools on the UC journal. Tribunal accepted the journal note entry as reporting the sons DLA award and backdated the disabled child element. Just brought to focus how much the process is at least in this case not automatic! The mother had actually also been awarded the carers element for caring for that same son. Despite this the Disabled child element had not been picked up.
We have a similar scenario, but at the MR stage awaiting a decision. Client loses Child DLA MRC at the renewal stage, then reinstated after appeal.
UC would only reinstate Child element from the date client formally notified Tribunal Decision, not for the period under appeal 5 - 6 months earlier?
Bizarrely or fortuitously from client’s point of view in this particular instance, one less thing to sort out. The Carers element was paid throughout the period client was not in receipt of the Child DLA.