Hampshire cancer families reportedly losing homes as they face huge waits for supportive payments
A Hampshire children's cancer charity's telling us families are waiting five to six months to access Disability Living Allowance for children payments
A Hampshire children's cancer charity's telling us some families are having to give up their homes as they face huge waits for supportive payments.
Abby's Heroes is telling us they're hearing families are waiting for five to six months to access the Disability Living Allowance for children post-diagnosis.
The Disability Living Allowance for children is a tax-free benefit for those who care for a disabled child under the age of 16.
Sally Randall, CEO and Founder of Abby's Heroes, said: "We hear of stories of families who are losing their home, who are spending their life savings, who are borrowing money from family and friends just to keep their heads above the water.
"There's a huge financial cost with being in hospital with a sick child that is estimated to be around £750 a month because parents aren't fed, you have to pay to park, you have to come in and out for appointments.
"It crushes families, it ruins families, and often families don't make it out of that diagnosis.
"It has a massive emotional and financial impact on a family."
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Ensuring disabled children and those with long-term health conditions get the support they need is important to us.
“To meet the rise in demand for Child DLA, we have increased staffing levels, and we always aim to reach an award decision promptly while carefully considering all available evidence."