Disability allowance for kids

Ok so i was wanting some info on this as to what makes a child elligible. I mean of course, it says so on the forms but well, actually getting it is probably a different story.

Through our local branch of heart children I was told that we should be entitled to this for Paris. While part of me thinks that would be great, the other part feels a bit in denial about the whole thing and i feel bad for applying for that sort of thing.

She does have a heart valve problem, but it's not an operation-needing one at the mo, she sees the paed once a year.    It does make her tired though and lots more prone to tiredness (which i think is some of the root of her bad behaviours since starting school cos she comes home exhausted).
Day to day it's not like it affects really how we treat her, it doesn't affect her basic of needs and she doesn't need constant supervision or medical care as such like it says on the forms. In winter however she also has asthma, made worse by a little by this problem, she needs constant heat (expensive power-bills!!) otherwise we are bombarded by a constant barrage of chest infections that hit and take hold within 24hrs, she has inhalers all through winter, and alot of the time during winter we still have a fair few illnesses requiring one or both of us to take time off as she gets sick much quicker, and takes much much longer to get over it.

Does this qualify? I really don't want to feel like I am freeloading off the system at all, but if she is truely entitled to it it would go a long way especially during winter to help with the heating bills to keep her healthy.

Anyone elses kids on this? pm me if you like.

I think she'd qualify on the asthma regardless of the heart problem.

I get it for my three smallest. Sienna for her kidney condition (which like Paris doesn't really affect her except that she has to take antibiotics every day and have annual scans and paed appts) and her ears (which are ongoing) and Mercedes gets it for her ears, and lil miss gets it for her respiratory problems.

As well as the Child Disability Allowance we also get the Disability Allowance which is an income tested allowance to help cover extra costs such as paed visits, meds, petrol to get to appts, parking at the hospital (which at $5 a pop adds up!), heating etc.

You should qualify.
When you are considering the answers you really have to compare her to a "healthy" child. Do you have to watch her more, are there things she can't do. Things like heating and her getting sick and being sick for longer do make her different and I'd say that would mean constant supervision, even if you don't realise you are doing it.
It can be pretty minor differences my friend gets it for two of her children because they have hearing aids and needed a little speech therapy apart from that they are completely normal, but they will qualify forever because their hearing is affected.
Natasha is on it because she still needs to be supervised taking her meds and if she flares she needs assistance with allot of physical things but at present she's pretty normal (well as normal as a nearly 13yo can be )

Edited by shaz

Josiah gets it for his vision. We weren't sure we wanted to apply for it either, but his glasses are so expensive... we decided in the end that his vision is so bad that he does require extra care over and above someone else his age and the orthoptist agreed.
For example: Ayja and Josiah are the same age... can she walk down some stairs at a new location without help? Josiah can't - he's got limited depth perception, and if he is not familiar with the enviroment he needs help to ensure he doesn't trip. He also doesn't notice things that are higher than his eyes - which means he bangs his forehead fairly frequently.

The CDA helps cover the increased cost of our contents insurance (by upping our insured amount and changing policies we now have no excess on claims for glasses), and we have been able to put the fortnightly amount aside until there is enough there to buy a new pair of glasses if necessary.

Edited by daikini

Hi, I have a heart babe too, with a complex congenital heart defect. We happily take this money as we dont qualify for anything else, and it definately comes in handy while Im on maternity and to pay for porse care when she starts in a few weeks, but once she is 5 this will just go into a bank account for her, Im sure she would rather do without the ongoing surgery but its just a little something to soften the blow when she is older. If you feel uncomfortable about it, put it in a savings account for your babe.

Just apply, they can only say no. If your child is entitled then they deserve to have it. Im sure they will appreciate it when they get big

This is an interesting topic, thanks ladies. I've also got a heart baby and just yesterday received the form to complete to get an allowance.

Mum2paris, from what you are saying, I also think you should apply for it.

I just wanted to pull this old thread up to ask if anyone is claiming respite care for their babes? As we dont qualify for WFF or child care subsidy I am going to ask for this, it maybe declined but you never know til you ask. Has anyone had any experience with this or any dramas for that matter??

They said No to respite care Juzzo - they said she isnt sick enough cause she dosent need assistance - at the moment she is getting the CD allowence but I expect that will go next

Thanks Juzzo, I have her is daycare now and she loves it so guess paying for it is all worth while when she is having so much fun

You have 3 other boys to care for so you deserve some assistance for sure - is it working for you? Im not sure I could cope with someone in the house often
And How is your wee Harlow? - Love the name by the way!
The first winter is a bit daunting yeah? Did you have another son born early too?