WITH the Chancellor George Osborne set to reveal details of the Government’s budget this week, many local families with disabled children will be fearing the worst.

Already more likely to be living in poverty because of the challenges of juggling work and caring for their child, families with disabled children have been hit time and time again by benefits cuts and welfare changes.

Nearly a third (29%) of families Contact a Family support told us they have already been affected by these changes over the last 12 months. Well over half (58%) said they would be unable to cope with an unexpected bill of £300 — highlighting the precarious financial situation many families we talk to are in and making them even more vulnerable to any further cuts to benefits and services.

We want to make sure that families with disabled children in the area get all the benefits they are entitled to help them with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child so they aren’t forced to go without essentials or into debt. Don’t be beaten by the Government’s budget, if you care for a child with a disability or additional needs and are struggling financially, call Contact a Family’s team of benefits and welfare experts on our free helpline —0808 808 3555 — or visit www.cafamily.org.uk

Una Summerson

Head of Policy

Contact a Family