Families with disabled children going hungry under welfare cuts

coop New research from Contact a Family reveals that (in England) families with disabled children are going without essentials and spiralling into debt, before the full impact of planned benefit cuts is felt.

The charity's Counting the Costs 2012 survey of over 2,300 families shows that for those in jobs –

one in seven (14%) is missing meals
and one in six (17%) cannot afford to heat their homes.

And for families not in work due to their caring responsibilities –

almost a quarter (24%) is going without food
and a third (32%) without heating.

Welfare reforms create fear

58% of all families fear their financial situation will worsen in the next year (up 15% since 2010).
The majority (73%) cited welfare reforms as the main reason for their fear.

Counting the Costs 2012 also found that:

Almost a third (29%) have taken out loans - from loan sharks, quick cash schemes, banks or family and friends – to afford everyday essentials such as groceries and heating. Up 4% since 2010.
41% have fallen behind with payments for gas and electric bills, council tax, rent and mortgage. Up 7% since 2010.
Over one in ten (11%) have already been affected by benefit changes, with the majority still left to bite.

Contact a Family has today launched a campaign

- to raise awareness of the financial hardship for families with disabled children. The charity is urging affected families to write to their MP with the Counting the Costs 2012 findings as well as details of their own related experiences.

Get in touch -

Michele Cefai: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact-a-Family: http://www.cafamily.org.uk/