Fwd: Campaign update: Cameron responds to your email on cuts to benefit...

[Guest guest]

From: phardy@...To: mum231asd@...Sent: 13/03/2012 11:29:54 GMT Standard TimeSubj: Campaign update: Cameron responds to your email on cuts to benefits for disabled children

View this email in your web browser.

Campaign update: Cameron responds to your email on cuts to benefits for disabled children

Dear Mandy,

We would like to thank you again for taking the time to support EDCM and write to Cameron asking him to reconsider halving 'disability additions' - a benefit for low income and out of work families with disabled children. This cut, if it goes ahead, will mean a reduction in financial support of nearly £1400 for many families with disabled children from 2013.

Below is a link to Cameron's response to our campaign, EDCM's open letter back to the Prime Minister, and a supporter action calling on the Government to bring forward its review of disability additions and hold it as soon as possible.

In his letter responding to your concerns the Prime Minister states that families' currently receiving this benefit will receive 'transitional protection'. This means they will continue to receive the same levels of financial support until they have a change in circumstances. However transitional protection will not help families who have a disabled child born after 2013 and we are not yet sure what 'change in circumstances' would trigger a change to benefits.

Other News

Prime Minister responds to EDCMs concerns on benefit cuts 8 March 2012

Campaign seeks meeting with Cameron to discuss impact of policy

MPs vote to go ahead with cut to disabled children's benefits

2 February 2012

Campaigners welcome Government commitment to review which families will receive higher rate

Government defeated over cuts to disabled children's benefits

31 January 2012

Campaigners call on House of Commons to honour this amendment

We are also concerned that the Prime Minister confused DLA and disability additions in his letter. This is a common mistake as the benefit system is very complicated but we are worried that this widespread misunderstanding of the benefit system is leading to negative public views and discussion about families with disabled children and their use of the benefit system.

We have therefore invited the Prime Minister to meet with some families with disabled children to hear about the important role that disability additions play in enabling families to stay financially afloat and to remain in employment.

Since you took action there has been a lot of activity and debate in Parliament on this issue. We were delighted when on 31st January the House of Lords voted to stop this cut from happening. The Government used their 'financial privilege' powers to go ahead with this cut anyway but have promised to conduct a review into disability additions in 2015.

EDCM believes that 2015 is too late to conduct this review - as it means families will have to live with the cut for two years. We are therefore asking supporters to write to their MP asking for this review to take place sooner.

Take Action! Email your MP asking them for this review to take place immediately and to ensure disabled children and their families can feed into it.

Thank you for your continued support.

, Helen and

EDCM Campaign Team