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The way forward
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Lone parents who care for one or more sick or disabled child are clearly playing a vital role. The provision of reliable and appropriate levelsof financial support via the benefit system would not only constitute a valuable recognition of their caring role, but it would reduce stress levels, improve health, lessen demands on support services and enhance lone parents’ chances of future employment.
Awareness
Families need to be better informed about their benefit entitlement. Furthermore, at Disability Alliance we are arguing that the reliability of DLA and associated benefits needs to be improved to ensure that they provide families with a reliable financial ‘safety net’. A phased reduction in DLA would avoid an overnight drop in benefit income. It would protect families whose child’s DLA has been inappropriately removed from a sudden loss of income, and provide a financial breathing space for families whose child’s needs have changed.
More money and reform is needed
A number of families who receive DLA for their child do not realise that they are entitled to Carer’s Allowance and/or Disabled Child and Carer Premium within Child Tax Credit. The adequacy of Carer’s Allowance needs to be addressed. At a mere £44.35 a week, it provides scant recognition of a parent’s caring responsibilities. We would like to see it brought into line with other long-term earnings replacement benefits – like Incapacity Benefit. Alternatively, the allowance could be made non-taxable (like Severe Disablement Allowance).
Carer’s Allowance discriminates against lone parents
Currently a couple with two or more disabled children can both claim Carer’s Allowance, but a lone parent can only get it once, irrespective of the number of disabled children or adults they care for. This is clearly unfair. We believe there should be additional support for lone parents looking after more than one disabled child (or adult). For example, an additional premium could be introduced into the Carer Premium for those families on Income Support.
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