D in the A to Z of Advice

Date published: 1st October 2020

ebt Arrangement Scheme

and

 isability Living Allowance

The Debt Arrangement Scheme known as DAS is a Scottish government backed debt management scheme which allows you to repay your debts through a debt payment programme.

The programme will allow you to pay off your debts over an extended period of time, while giving you protection from the creditors who may be taking action against you to recover the debt. There is no cap to the level of debt that can be added.

The debt payment programme can last for any reasonable length of time and, if approved, all interest and charges on the debt included will be frozen, resulting in them being waived if you fully complete the programme.

There are fees applied for the administration of a DAS however you will not be responsible for these. The fees are deducted from the monies paid to creditors.

You must seek advice and assistance from a money adviser before applying for a debt payment programme under DAS.

To be eligible for DAS, a debtor must have one or more debts and

  • Be habitually resident in Scotland
  • Have sought the advice and assistance of a DAS approved money adviser
  • Want to repay their debt without the threat of creditors taking legal action against them
  • Have a reasonable amount of disposable income after meeting their basic needs

CARF provides free confidential and impartial advice regarding DAS.

For further information about The Debt Arrangement Scheme please visit either of the following:

Citizens Advice Scotland

Accountant in Bankruptcy

If you want to discuss any debt issues CARF can help. Just give us a call on 0345 1400 094 and we can schedule you an appointment with one of our money advisers

What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is extra money to help you if you have a child under 16 who is disabled or has a health condition, which requires the need for extra care or assistance throughout the day or night. The child does not need to have a diagnosed condition to apply for DLA.

DLA is a non means tested benefit, so can be claimed regardless of household income or circumstances.

It is considered a “Passport Benefit” meaning if it is awarded there are other potential benefits available, i.e. Carers Allowance, Disabled elements within Child Tax Credits or Universal Credit. It also allows recipients to access Local Council provisions for example Carer +1 cards, Blue Badges, Family Fund Grants, etc. Please contact us on 03451 400 095 for advice about any of these.

DLA Award Types

DLA is split into two components; the care needs of the child and the mobility needs of the child.

The Care Component has Low Rate Care, Medium Rate Care and High Rate Care elements.

The Mobility Component has High Rate Mobility (only payable from the child’s third birthday) and Low Rate Mobility elements (only payable from the child’s fifth birthday).

DLA Award amounts

DLA is paid 4 weekly, into a nominated person’s bank account.

 

Care Element Weekly Amount*
Low Rate Care £23.60
Middle Rate Care £59.70
High Rate Care £89.15

 

Mobility Element Weekly Amount*
Low Rate Mobility (from 5 years old) £23.60
High Rate Mobility (from 3 years old) £62.25

*Rates correct as at September 2020

Conditions of eligibility to claim DLA

Any child can be eligible to claim DLA, from the child turning 3 months of age.

The child must have had the condition or need for extra care or assistance for over 3 months, and is expected to last for at least a further 6 months.

When assessing a child’s care needs the decision maker will base a claim decision on a comparison of the care needs of a child of the same age with no additional needs i.e. what you would expect a three month old baby to do independently with no additional needs in comparison to a child with additional needs.

The child should meet the Habitual Residence criteria to claim, meaning if the child is 6 months or under they should have lived in the UK for at least 13 weeks. If the child is between 6 months to 3 years they need to have lived in the UK for at least 6 months.

If the child is 3 and over they must have lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years.

Children with Armed Forces and BFPO addresses are counted as living in the UK.

Children and families with “Settled status” can also claim for DLA on the condition they are resident in the UK at time of application.

If your child is “subject to immigration control” or has a visa that states “no recourse to public funds” you cannot apply for DLA.

How to make a claim?

You can either phone for an application form or download a form from www.GOV.UK  It's best to phone as if your application is successful payments will be backdated to the date you called, as long as you return the form in 6 weeks. The date you need to return the form by will be stamped on the form. If you download an application form, you'll only be paid from the date that the DWP receive the form.

You can request a form via the DLA Telephone Claim Helpline:

Telephone: 0800 121 4600 or Textphone: 0800 121 4523 or Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 4600.Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The DLA form may seem daunting, however it covers a range of illness, challenges and conditions. In order for the decision maker to assess the form in a structured way, it looks at everyday tasks and considers where and how the child needs help at specific tasks. i.e.

Toileting
Washing
Awareness of Safety/Danger
Dressing
Social Functioning
Ability to communicate wants/needs
Support in the community
Night time assistance with toileting/settling
Aids and adaptations
Ongoing diagnosis and testing

You should keep and copy any medical reports, appointments as well as any school support plans or meeting minutes. This evidence is helpful for the claims process.

If you would like help to complete an application for DLA please call us on 0345 1400 095.

 

 

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