Families of Disabled Children Missing out on Millions

 
Many families of disabled children
in the UK don't know about their
benefit entitlements © SXC

Around 476,000 families in the UK are not claiming the major benefit to help meet their disabled child’s additional needs.

Despite being among the most vulnerable and often poorest families in society, 62% are not claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – a potential £109.50 each week.

Contact a Family, the only UK charity to work with families of children with any disability, has launched a campaign to urge parent carers to claim what they are owed. “It costs up to three times as much to raise a disabled child, so every penny counts,” said Jill Harrison, Contact a Family’s Director of External Affairs. “Families with disabled children often struggle to make ends meet, not realising that if their child needs additional care, or has mobility problems, there is a benefit to help.”

The number of people seeking help for personal debts has reached an all time high. For families with disabled children often struggling on below average incomes, financial worries are all the more distressing.

Many parents find out about their benefit entitlements by chance, or several years after their child is diagnosed with a disability or rare disorder. And then they struggle to fill out the lengthy application form. As part of the campaign,

Contact a Family has produced a guide to help parents claim DLA. The information booklet explains who is eligible for the benefit, gives step by step instructions to fill in the application form and advises on how to appeal against a decision. Jill Harrison added:

“Families providing care for a child with complex needs can receive over £100 each week, which can make a real difference."

“DLA is not means tested and does not affect claims for other benefits. In fact it can be a trigger for other important financial support such as extra tax credits and Carers Allowance."

REHACARE.de; Source: Contact a Family

- More about Contact a Family at: www.cafamily.org.uk

( Source: REHACARE.de )