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DWP letter alert that could stop 194.60 a week payment

The letter contains a vital deadline people must stick to or risk their DLA payments

[DWP letter]

Your benefit payment will stop if you miss the deadline in the invitation letter(Image: GETTY)

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will send qualifying families a letter when their child turns 16, with a vital deadline.

If ignored, it will result in their Disability Living Allowance payments being stopped and potentially putting families in the red by up to 194.60 a week for overlooking one letter. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) provides up to 194.60 a week for children with disabilities and additional needs. However, it only lasts until the child turns 16 at which point they need to be transferred over to the adult equivalent, PIP, if they are still eligible.

The letter, which is an invitation to apply to PIP, will be sent to families claiming DLA when:

• The child turns 16
• The child leaves hospital, if they were in hospital on their 16th birthday
• about 20 weeks before the DLA award ends, if they were awarded DLA under special rules for people who might have 12 months or less to live

[Parent with a child]

The benefit is for children under the age of 16 with disabilities(Image: GETTY)

Official Government guidance notes: Your childs DLA payments will stop unless they apply for PIP by the date given in the letter. If they apply by the date given in the letter, theyll continue to receive DLA until their claim is assessed.

Citizens Advice recommends families start their PIP claim within four weeks of receiving the letter and to call the PIP Enquiry line as soon as possible if you need more time as the DWP may be able to give you an extension on the deadline.

The charity warns: If you dont claim PIP within 4 weeks of the letter, the DWP will pause your DLA claim and stop your payments.

If you claim PIP in the 4 weeks after your DLA was paused, the DWP will pay you the DLA you would have got if they didnt pause it. If its been more than 4 weeks since your DLA was paused, you can still claim PIP but you wont be paid the DLA you would have got.

The application process for 16 year olds is the same as for adults. It starts with calling the PIP new claims phone line to answer some basic questions, then completing a form and potentially having an assessment if its deemed necessary.

Someone can help you make the claim if necessary, this can include asking friends, families or even a home visit from a DWP officer to help with the claim. The DWP recommends asking an advisor about thai when calling the PIP new claims line.

[Disabled person with their family]

Once on PIP, the teen may want to manage their own benefits(Image: GETTY)

Scope notes that being a childs appointee for DLA doesnt automatically carry over to their PIP claim. It adds: Ask for the appointee form when you call to apply for PIP if you have not already received this. The DWP will arrange a support visit and interview you to make sure that an appointee is needed.

Many people claiming DLA go on to qualify and receive PIP but this is not guaranteed. If the DWP decides you are not eligible for PIP, the DLA payments will stop but you can challenge the decision.

The mobility element of DLA is also reassessed when being moved to PIP, meaning that families who have a Motability vehicle through DLA may lose it if their teen does not qualify for the higher rate of PIP that would make them eligible for it.

Citizens Advice adds: This rate is harder to get on PIP, which means you might not be able to keep your vehicle. If you dont get the enhanced rate, youll have to return your vehicle.

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