Cutting Edge.

ACT NOW Phase Four

Cutting Edge

ACT NOW is very concerned about the reduction in support for families living with autism and other disabilities when we change over to Universal Credit. This new system has the ability to severely impact on the income of families living with autism.

At the moment anyone who has a disabled child is entitled to the disability element of child tax credit. This support will change under Universal Credit and will be provided through a disability addition as part of the benefit entitlement of a household.

Families with a child not getting high rate care component DLA will see the current rate of £54 per week drop to £27 per week, this adds up to £1400 per year but as the rate is paid per child a family with two or more disabled children will lose far greater amounts of financial support.

We are deeply concerned about the reduction of £27 per week for those whose children get middle or low rate care component of DLA because the vast majority of autistic children get those rates. A huge proportion of parent carers will face this cut whilst already struggling financially.

Families of autistic children often face far greater costs than many; paying for therapies and interventions that are not freely available to our children, buying special food because of sensory issues and restricted diets, special clothing due to sensory issues as well as damage often caused by their meltdowns. There are all reasons why this cut will have a negative impact, it's like we are being told our children aren't quite disabled enough. Autism for many is a hidden disability, especially children and many families are close to breaking point.

"Families living with autism are under so much stress given the  views held by many about autism and how it manifests. Most live with no support and are now living in real terror of how some aspects of Welfare Reform will affect them." Jon Cruddas MP (ACT NOW Patron)

Jon is going to table a question in the House of Commons for ACT NOW regarding the impact of this cut on families living with autism. ACT NOW will also raise this issue in a report that is  currently being drafted for members of the House of Lords.

One year on!

Over the last year, ACT NOW has amassed 10,000 supporters and we are very grateful for your ongoing support but we need your help to carry on with our campaign and submit our next report to Government: 

• We need to know how you feel one year on from George Osborne's emergency budget; are you fighting the same battles or have you lost services as professionals have left their posts or due to LA cuts? 
• How do you feel about the change from DLA to PIP?  
• Are you still worried/more worried about the WCA?  
• We also want to hear from those who will be affected if the proposal to reduce the disability premium in Universal Credit for those with children on middle or low rate DLA is approved - how will this affect you?  
• Will the cap on benefits affect where you can live?  

We really need your comments or stories, you can stay anonymous if you prefer. We are looking for people to record videos or write a guest blog post. 

Please get in touch! You can leave a comment on our Facebook page or email Teresa for more information or to share your concerns or stories.  

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead.