DLA benefit in the UK and issues with employment

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A friend of mine with Asperger's managed to get a claim for DLA (disability living allowance) when she was unemployed, but now she managed to get to university and can still get it along with her Student Finances.

I am trying to apply for it, though I am the year above her at university and next summer after I finish I will be looking for work. Does a claim of DLA affect your ability to get Jobseekers in future?

My parents were horrified that my friend was claiming benefits because they think Asperger's isn't that disabling so why get so much cash and therefore I don't want to have to deal with anything about mentioning DLA when I'm trying to find work back at their place and have to declare I had DLA.

No. I receive DLA and at one point, jobseekers. But it would look weird if you claim "my ASD means I have problems communicating" and apply for jobs which involve communicating with others.

You can receive DLA while working, so I don't see why it would affect jobseekers.

I receive low rate care component of DLA and have job though I am currently on long term sick leave (OH doctor today said I was no where near the point of returning yet - I'm very frustrated because I hate being off work).

Your ability to work and your financial situation are not taken into account when being assessed for DLA - it's about how your disability affects you on a daily basis and whether there are likely to be extra costs as a result of that and there are different rates so it isn't always "so much cash".

Hello,

TBH, I am going to have a serious chat with my parents and look for ESA if I need to claim unemployment benefit again. I'd rather have the right to claim a job I am comfortable with.

Extra costs aren't taken into account at all. I used to know people who'd claim, have no extra costs and then moan because they have too much money. Meanwhile, my disabilities (on average) cost more than DLA and I get no extra help.

No I didn't mean that they actually took real extra costs into account. I meant that as far as they are concerned that is the basis on which they make a decision - they decide if your disability affects you in a way where extra costs for care or mobility might be incurred and then they make an award. My award was made because according to them I need about an hour of care a day. Of course amount awarded (£20.55) in no way would realistically cover that if I were to pay someone to provide that care. In reality my husband provides most of my care, I go without in some areas, and the money I now receive will go towards one hour per week one-to-one support from the local autistic society.

People complain they have too much money? Really??

Ah, I see. Yeah, I've never understood that either. £20.55 will get more around 2 hours care per week with some pennies left over.

Yes, people really have moaned they have too much money. Last time I checked, you're not forced to claim DLA.

I don't want to jump in and make this some kind of flaming/trolling debate or whatever, but I've always felt DLA because of the information they provided on it, is meant to be an allowance for care needs (if you need a full time carer their wages can be paid in the Carer Allowance too, separately). I also know that for some people (this was someone I heard on a forum with Asperger's) DLA is a lifeline if you only have part time work and need more to get by in life, because ESA cannot be paid if you are working.

You can work up to 16 hours a week and earn £97.50 whilst on ESA. But yeah, that still isn't much. Whereas if you claim DLA, you can work for at least 16 hours and claim the disability element of working tax credits. (you only have to be 16 or over to claim)

Thanks, good to know about the tax credit bit. The person on another forum was saying that her friend with Asperger's can only do his bank work part time so DLA is vital so he can pay rent etc.