A SCHEME which helps children with special needs has now been extended to families in West Devon. Devon County Council?s Local Public Service Agreement has resulted in more than £1 million being paid out to families who have children with special needs and aims to ensure they are receiving their full financial entitlements. It has now helped 244 families receive an additional income with a total of £1,046,540 being paid out in additional benefits. The work has involved helping families to complete Disability Living Allowance claim forms and request changes to the allowance, but has also helped them with appeals and claims for a whole range of other benefits. Raechel and David live in West Devon with their two children. Adam, 7, has physical, communication and learning difficulties. Adam has been awarded living allowance because of the extra help he needs during the day. However, he also only sleeps for a short time and needs extra attention during the night. In addition Adam needs to have someone he trusts right there with him at all times even in the garden just outside his home. Devon Welfare Rights helped Raechel to make a claim for a higher rate of allowance, by completing forms and preparing a detailed statement of Adam?s needs and how he met the legal tests. Within a short time Adam was awarded extra living allowance amounting to more than £38 a week, and the family now also qualifies for a higher rate of Child Tax Credit. Cllr John Smith, Devon?s executive member for children?s services, said: ?This is a vitally important service for families with children with special needs, as it provides them with the help and support they need to access the benefits to which they are entitled.? Families are urged to get in touch with Devon Welfare Rights Unit as soon as possible as the project is due to end in March 2008. For more information, call 01392 274869.
