YESTERDAY Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was scrapped for new claims by disabled people aged 16 and over and replaced by a new disability benefit called the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Existing DLA claimants aged 16 or above will start to be invited to claim PIP from October.
PIP will now use entirely new rules to decide whether or not you qualify for the benefit and there will also be a new way of assessing claims, normally involving a face-to-face meeting with a health professional. DLA will be retained as a separate benefit for disabled children aged under 16.
Contact a Family – the only UK charity that supports families with disabled children regardless of the disability or condition – wants to encourage all local parents who have a child with a disability to be prepared and find out more about this latest change to benefits which could eventually have a big impact on their family.
To help, we’ve published a brand new guide for families with a disabled child that covers not only the new Personal Independence Payment but also other benefits that can be claimed once a child turns 16.
Benefits for disabled children aged 16-19 are very complex so it is important that parents have access to reliable information.
Free copies of ‘Personal Independence Payment and other benefits at 16’ are available through our freephone helpline 0808 808 3555 or by emailing helpline@cafamily.org.uk.
Contact a Family also has a team of expert benefit advisors who are able to offer detailed, one to one advice to parent carers in England who want to find out more about this and other planned benefit changes.
We can also offer parents of disabled children a comprehensive benefits ‘check up’, to help those who might be missing out on vital income.
We want to reduce any worry and confusion about benefit changes and increase the chances of families with disabled children getting what they are entitled to.
If you are a parent of a disabled child and are concerned about any benefits issue please call our free Helpline 0808 808 3555.
Don’t be caught out by benefit changes.
Srabani Sen, chief executive officer of Contact a Family, a charity for families with disabled children
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