Quids 4 Kids
Devon County Council has given funding to Devon Welfare Rights Unit for its Quids for Kids project which provides advice directly to families with children with special needs. Devon Welfare Rights Unit has assisted around 800 families in gaining extra benefit or tax credit entitlement. This amounts to approximately £3.7million extra income for families of children with specail needs in Devon. This equates to an average of £4,500 per family.
Case study 1
Mr R contacted the project after he lost his job. Both Mrs R and their child have disabilities. Mr R had claimed Jobseekers Allowance. His adviser identified that he was entitled to Carer’s Allowance and that his wife could then claim Income Support for the family. Their child was also on too low a rate of Disability Living Allowance. The advice resulted in an increase in income of about £4000 per year.
Case study 2
Mrs D’s self-employed business was suffering as a result of the credit crunch. She sought advice about whether she would be better off giving up work. She has two children, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. Mrs D’s adviser identified that her Tax Credits were being paid at too low a rate because the disability element for a child was not being included. It was also identified that Mrs D’s disabled son should probably be getting a higher rate of Disability Living Allowance and the adviser helped to secure this. The family’s income increased by £3000 per year and Mrs D decided to continue working.
Case study 3
Mrs K was working part-time as a nurse and was claiming Tax Credits. Her childcare costs and the rising costs of travel to work were leading her to the conclusion that she couldn’t afford to keep working. She didn’t know that she could claim Carer’s Allowance. After coming for advice she found herself £30 better off per week and was able to continue working
For a free entitlement check and confidential advice, families with children with special needs only should contact us on 0300 500 0404.