Providing Community Support and Social Inclusion for Disabled Children and Young People
at the Ann Tayler Centre
on Thursday 26th February 2009
20 parents attended the group
Professionals attending
Scilla Morgan
Bev Rolfe
Pat Howley
Sheila Ramdular
Gillian Goodchild
Deborah Walsh
Jenny Menzies
Azhar Rahman
(+ interpreter)
2 observers from Hackney Asian Women's Aid
Tahmina Khanam: Advice and support worker, City & Hackney Carers' Centre
Sandra Learoyd: Adviser, Family Fund
Bev Rolfe facilitated the meeting.
1. Introductions from the speakers and parents:
Bev welcomed everyone to the group and introduced the speakers.
2. Tahmina Khanam: City and Hackney Carers' Centre
Tahmina introduced the advice service at the Carers' Centre. It provides advice, information and support on a range of issues, including benefits, plus signposting and referral to other agencies where appropriate. Carers need to register with the Carers' Centre and book an appointment for the advice service.
Tahmina's presentation concentrated on three particular benefits
- Child Benefit
- Tax Credit
- Child Trust Fund
Tax Credits are far more complicated and confusing! There are two sorts and people may be eligible for one or both types, though there is only one form. Child Tax Credit is a government payment for people who are:
- responsible for children aged <16 or 16-20 and in education
- over 16 themselves
- living in the UK and not subject to immigration control
- working 16+ hours per week
- over 16
- living in the UK and not subject to immigration control
Tax Credits are situation-based, so the tax office needs to be kept informed of any changes to circumstance. Also, they are only back-dated for 3 months, so cannot be claimed retrospectively.
Working families in receipt of tax credits may in addition be entitled to receive tax credits to help with childcare costs. You need to be working for 16+ hours per week, and you might receive up to 80% of the cost, depending on level of income (the lower the income, the more tax credits)
Child Trust Fund is a new government payment for the child in the longer term. Its aim is to ensure children have some savings when they reach 18 and also to induce some understanding of personal finance.
- Children born after 6/4/05 will receive a £250 CTF voucher once Child Benefit is claimed
- Children born after 1/9/02 should already have received their voucher, if Child Benefit has been claimed
- Children in low-income families may be entitled to a higher payment
Q How is the level of disability with Tax Credits worked out or decided?
A It is based entirely on the care component of DLA (nb not the mobility component)
Q Lots of people find Tax Credits a nightmare. They are complex, over-complicated and you have to pay back overpayments
A You need to inform them about every change in circumstance to ensure you don't get overpaid. It's also worth keeping a written record of every contact with the office and including a letter explaining your (change of or temporary) circumstances with the form.
Q Tax credits sound really confusing, but I didn't even know about them, no-one told me!
A There was a big publicity campaign to raise awareness of them, as you need to take responsibility and apply, it's not automatic.
Q Has it replaced Income Support?
A Yes, if you have children
Q I haven't got Child Trust Fund
A You need to call the CTF helpline
Q I'm self-employed and confused about Tax Credits - will the Carers' Centre be able to help?
A Yes
Q What should I do if I'm sent a nasty threatening letter telling me they've overpaid me on Tax Credits?
A You have 30 days to appeal. Again, advisable to put everything in writing and keep written records of phone calls
Q Is the Child Trust Fund backdated?
A If you claim Child Benefit it should be automatic, but if you haven't received it and your child is eligible, call the helpline.
Q What paperwork re Tax Credits should you keep and for how long?
A Probably everything and forever!
Q What happens post-school if no suitable placement is available for my child at 16 and I want to hold on until we find something appropriate? Can I reapply for Tax Credits & Child Benefit?
A No. Once you're out of compulsory education, you're out, even if you're back in a few months later. Better to place your child in any training that's available.
Q Can he then apply in his own right for Income Support?
A No. When a young person turns 16 it is important for the parent to notify Tax Credits that s/he is continuing in education: it is parent's responsibility, no-one will remind you.
3. Sandra Learoyd - Family Fund
Sandra gave a brief history of the Family Fund's provenance - it was started as a one-off government payment in response to the thalidomide, then became the Family Fund, available to families with any serious disabilities. It is still a government fund, however, it is important to know that it is discretionary, not an entitlement.
All applications go to the head office in York, though they are then referred to area advisers, who meet with families to carry out an extensive initial assessment to see whether they are eligible. Eligibility criteria are:
- Child must be <18 (until this year, the cut-off age was 16)
- Family's earned income should be <£23,000 pa
- Parent/carer must be a permanent UK resident and have been in the UK at least 6 months
- Child must have a serious disability, have additional or complex needs or a long-term life-threatening or life-limiting medical condition, which affects 'ordinary family life'. This is broadly defined as the child needing support in 3 or more areas eg
- Physical/mobility
- Supervision to ensure safety
- Education (statement of sen)
- Children excluded because of challenging behaviour
- Communication/relationships
- Access to social activities
- Personal care
- Medical or therapeutic need
The FF fund a range of things which make life easier for the family and which are directly linked to the child.s disability. E.g.
- Washing machines or fridge-freezers, which free up time for families, but not general household appliances or furniture, such as cookers, which a family would be expected to have anyway. (the exception might be beds or sofas, if a child routinely trashed furniture)
- Driving lessons and up to two theory and practical tests
- Leisure items, communication aids, computers
- Clothing, bedding
- Holiday grants - can be Thomas Cook vouchers for £500, or the Family Fund has a contract with Haven Holidays (chalet hols). A cash grant for families who wish to have independent holidays is usually less.
Questions
Q Does the computer include internet access?
A Not as part of the package, but you could request this as an additional item
Q What happens if I am turned down for a Family Fund grant?
A You can always try applying again
Q Do you never visit again after the initial visit?
A We do after maybe 4-5 years, as your child may not longer fit the criteria
Q My child was refused last year as he was too old at 16. He is now 17 - can I apply?
A Yes!
Q How do you help parents, poor because they have a disabled child, out of poverty?
A The Family Fund doesn't do any direct work on helping parents back to work, but supports national campaigns such as End Child Poverty and Every Disabled Child Matters - can also check family is receiving all benefits they are entitled to.
Q Can I choose my washing machine or goods?
A The family Fund has a contract with certain suppliers, eg Comet, so will issue a voucher rather than cash.
Q What if I don't live anywhere near the shop you give a voucher for?
A In special circumstances the Family Fund will take this into account - we know that clothing vouchers for bhs, for example, can be a problem. In these circumstances, you will need to be clear that you need a cash grant.
Q Concern that, as so many parents at the Short Breaks consultation identified holidays as important, and the Family Fund can help with this, that there's a risk that we shoot ourselves in the foot by 'wasting' the new Hackney money if it's all used on holidays.
A (Pat Howley) Commissioning takes note of this and all Short Break services will provide additionality
The Family Fund has just introduced 'Family Fund Extra' for families registered with them, with a child on DLA, even if they have not accessed a grant. The FFX card entitles you to 5-20% discount in a range of shops. Information about this is on the website.
4. Grapevine
1 HFBU has brought some leaflets for parents listing potential sources of grants for holidays or other items.
2 There is a new coffe club at the Ark, Tuesdays at 10-12, hosted by the PPA. Leaflets available
3 Unlecture! At The Ark on Friday 27th - Opportunity to grab the microphone and have a say! Leaflet at the back
4 Derman at the Ark today - workshop on Portage and Keyworking.
HFBU never make direct appeals to the public for funding. If you receive an e-mail requesting
financial assistance that you think might be from us please contact us immediately.