Is anyone else concerned about new DLA/CA/HB stuff coming in?

[Triggles]

I receive CA due to DS2 being on MRC DLA. My understanding is that as of next year, having a child on MRC no longer will qualify a parent to receive CA. Child tax credits at that point will no longer be bumped up when there is a child on MRC, only HRC. This will drop the amount of money coming into our household significantly, which I guess we will have to deal with.

But I understand that also the HB change will mean that because we live in a 3 bedroom property, and it's just DH, myself, and DS2(5) and DS3(2) (as our older two are adults and no longer live at home), we will have to pay an extra £14 per week as well, because of the rules that two children of the same sex should be able to share a room, which technically would put us in a 2 bedroom. But there is no way that DS2 could safely share a room with DS3, and DS2 would never cope with it. But apparently no exceptions for SNs or disabilities at all. sigh

God, I dread this, I really do.. anyone else stressing about this?

Yup! DS & I share a one bed but inability to cover the mortgage due to the changes risk us being ^intentionally homeless". A 2 bed with parents kipping on the couch is the likely solution for you Triggles .

I've been looking for work, but the loooong gap on my CV makes the possibility more remote as each month passes. Also I DARE you to find appropriate affordable childcare for an ASD escapologist who no longer trusts strange adults in my locale.

I have a "plan B", but it involves stoopid amounts of disruption to DS, so I'm trying at all costs to avoid having to resort to it. Poor kid went through 3 schools & one behavioral unit by 6, so I think he's entitled to a bit of continuity at this point if I can swing it.

Well, we can't move, so we'll end up paying the difference, no matter how we manage it. We're close to MIL, who is elderly with health problems and living on her own; we're very close to DD and her DP, so we provide childcare for her a couple afternoons a week, and we're close to the SS that DS2 will most likely end up attending. We've had a number of modifications made to the house for DS2 (by council grant arranged by the OT), so there is no way we're going to move and have to start all over again if we can help it. I'll scrape the money together somehow... just worried about it all. Yes, continuity here too - DS2 needs it desperately.

Right there with ya with DS2.

Where did you hear about change to CA only being for HRC? Will this be the same if you're caring for an adult as well or just children?,

Yes Chundle...CA only paid on HR care, both children & adults.

Thanks Mr. C...

Read this thread in the early hours this morning when I couldn't sleep, didn't help!

Anyway, found this :

www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/focus-on/item/2479-welfare-reform-your-questions-answered/2479-welfare-reform-your-questions-answered?showall=1

What will the changes to DLA mean for carers?
Currently, in order to qualify for Carer?s Allowance you need to be caring for someone on the middle or higher rate care components of DLA. The DLA care component is being replaced with a daily living component of the Personal Independence Payment at standard and enhanced rates. We now know that both of these rates will act as a ?gateway? to Carer?s Allowance, similar to DLA.

More to read there too. As yet, no plans to change DLA for children.

Do reading what that link says you should be able to claim carers as long as your child is entitled to either daily living compenent then not just the enhanced compenent

God, I hope so. It's all a bit too much too fast! Thanks for that - will read through it.

My own dla expires next year so I will prob be one of the first to be moved onto PIP. Will keep you all posted ad to what its like!

PIP is going for adults first, and I thought they hadn't made a decision about weather to move kids to pip yet

Yep Lisa I claim dla for myself as well. Not looking forward to the change over to it!

DS2's will be renewed next year, but we're putting in for mobility then as well. He qualifies now (and has for awhile) but I just couldn't face the extra paperwork.