UK Disability Resource of Disabled Needs

wendy · Sr. Member Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 111

I am not sure what I think to this.
Wendy

New payment for carers of disabled kids
September 20, 2007 - 3:54PM

AdvertisementCarers of children with a disability will be given an annual payment of up to $1,000 to help meet the needs of the child.

Laws have passed the Senate to introduce a new payment available for carers of disabled children under the age of 16 who are receiving the carers allowance.

The tax free payment can be used for early intervention and therapy, to provide respite care for families or to replace aids and equipment.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration Richard Colbeck said the payment has been made flexible for families.

"This will help families provide whatever assistance they need," Senator Colbeck told parliament.

Senator Colbeck said the payments will begin this year.

"(The assistance) will be paid automatically to eligible families in October 2007," he said.
The Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Disability Assistance) Bill 2007 passed the Senate without amendments.
http://tinyurl.com/26r4nx

pixie · Site Admin Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 1985

That sounds OK if it's an annual payment, don't know what other benefits/allowances they get in Australia so I'm not able to judge if this makes carers better off or not compaired to in the UK.

Thanks for posting this Wendy, maybe the UK government will notice and give us some too.

No good to me now as mine will be 16 in Jan 2008 but might make life better for others.