I found this on a face book site run by Contact a family and just had to pass it on, fantastic news.
Great news for working families with disabled children ? now exempt from Working Tax Credits changes
Mar 20 2012
Contact a Family welcomes the government?s announcement that families with disabled children will now be exempt from the changes to Working Tax Credit rules.
The rules due to come into effect from April, required couples to increase their working hours from 16 to 24 to continue to receive Working Tax Credits.
But regulations published by the government yesterday, say that a couple will continue to receive Working Tax Credits so long as one partner works 16 hours a week and their partner is entitled to Carer?s Allowance.
Srabani Sen, Chief Executive of Contact a Family, said: ?We are delighted the government has seen sense on this issue. Contact a Family has campaigned hard on behalf of parents to highlight the unfairness of the proposed changes. This is a fantastic result for families across the UK and for Contact a Family.
?As well as the obvious challenges with the economic situation and high unemployment, many working couples with a disabled child have less scope to be able to work extra hours than other parents due to their substantial caring responsibilities. Yesterday?s concession will ensure that hard working families, working in paid employment and caring for a disabled child at home, won?t be worse off.?
The government has also amended the rules on getting help with childcare costs. From April childcare costs can be included in a tax credit claim where one partner works 16 hours a week and their partner is entitled to carer?s allowance. This opens up childcare to a group that weren't previously entitled.
Contact a Family would urge any family concerned or unsure about changes to benefits and tax credits to call our helpline 0808 808 3555