EDCM Campaign against cuts to benefits paid to parents of disabled children

[KateMumsnet]

Hello

Today Every Disabled Child Matters, with whom we worked on our Respite Care Campaign, is calling on the government to rethink its decision to cut support for up to 170,000 families who have disabled children.

The Welfare Reform Bill proposes to cut benefits paid to low income or out of work families with disabled children by 50%. This amounts to a drop of £1400 per year - although these families often face higher basic costs than others, and may also find it harder to get employment which allows them to continue caring for their children.

If you'd like to write to the PM and ask him to reconsider, EDCM have made it easy to do so via this link. And don't forget to let us know what you think here on the thread.

Thanks

MNHQ

Does anyone get that rising, panicky feeling in the middle of the night? You know, the one where you feel, how the hell am I going to deal with this or pay for that/get through tomorrow/stay fit and alive forever

Not since I was waiting to here about the DLA decision...its starting to come back since I started hearing about all of this.

I feel sick actually, from April we will lose £100 a month, that's a lot when you consider how little we have coming in.

I work (pt) and claim no other benefits yet financially life is a struggle and I cannot even begin to imagine how we will cope with the loss of a significant amount of money each week.

Stupidly tho I will then be e titled to some housing benefit which I don't claim now.would get abt £13 per week if I claimed at the mo. I imagine with the loss of £100 per month I'll get a bit more than this.

I've signed both, now I'm just going to throw up. Excuse me.

Done. Thanks to all the people without disabled children who feel strongly enough to sign. Much appreciated

Right, I've done those AND email all of the MP's in Sheffield including Nick Clegg (not that I expect a response from any of them) and David Blunkett. Re tweeted on twitter and on FB..what else can I do?

Come on people 2207 let's get those numbers up up up!

Yes, thanks from me too. Tell your friends! Oh, and thanks Ava.

I'll echo what Bakelitebelle said, you'll never know just how much it's appreciated.

Has anyone tried to contact news stations about this?

Contact a Family did mole - only the Independent Newspaper took them up on it hence the article they ran www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/parents-of-disabled-children-furious-at-cuts-to-allowances-6275831.html

Media largely prefer to put stories out there magnifying the benefit fraud line.

lol..we could always send them the link to this with big bold words "BENEFIT SCROUNGER!" in the title.

They will at least read the first paragraph then.

Mind you, they would probaby twist the article then to make it fit the headline.

People aren't always apathetic or uncaring. I don't see MN or get the news everyday. But when I do hear I always sign petitions and do all I can. Don't assume no-one cares.

I loathe this vile group of Tory villains. Apparently we are all in it together. It's just that some of us are more 'in it' than others.

Bastards.

as the mum of a disabled son i think its awful what they are doing. i cant work because of my sons needs and i think they are picking on the most vulnerable of our society because they cant answer back.

I've posted on Facebook and Twitter and signed the petition. Words fail me so I better leave it to others.

Of course people care. In the past I've signed petitions but did not post about about. Sometimes people don't know what more to add but they agree wholeheartedly. But to keep it in the active convos I will post my tuppence worth .

What happens when they're over 18 is that all your income over the level of income support is taken, their DLA Care component is taken, housing benefit is tapered for every pound you earn even though money is all taken, so the more you earn the less you have. Even if you don't spend the budget because you can't hire the carers, they take the money.

We're looking at a pound a week for food between us after the new FCFC rules come in.

it's Christmas, we are all busy. Please can you keep posting links to something that explains what the proposed cuts are, other than the independent article.

At a time when many people face losing their jobs and many people are facing a cut in their standard of living those who rely on benefits need to recognise that every penny you receive comes from others working hard to support you. Many people are essentially decent, others wish to be seen that way but ranting at them will not encourage support nor will articles about losing riding therapy impress those who have never been able to afford riding lessons for their children.

I want to be able to write my MP a well informed letter explaining why this policy is short-sighted and wrong, but I need better help to present that case.

www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=14225

He only rides because he can't have physio due to cuts. Most children do not need physio and most don't use wheelchairs.

Walk a mile in someone's shoes perhaps....

The family action link is good, there's links on the Aibu thread to contact a family, every disabled child matters and others.

Oh and you might like to also consider that as a result of the severity of his autism he's been turned away from other leisure activities because his behaviour is considered dangerous. Perhaps the solution is to socially isolate my family further?

nor will articles about losing riding therapy impress those who have never been able to afford riding lessons for their children

Seriously?????? Are people really not able to see the difference between riding lessons and riding therapy????????? I am actually lost for words.

It's the worst thing about having children with disabilities. Dealing with the disability itself is hard, but it's easy compared to the form filling, fighting for money to live on and a decent education and the judgment of those who have never been in our situation.