Benefit Changes Mean a Choice of 'Eat or Heat' For More Families

Soaring numbers of families with disabled children are being forced to go without food or heating because they can no longer afford the basics, according to research from Contact A Family. One third of families with disabled children are worse off as a result of benefit changes – nearly half by more than £1,500 a year. Changes to tax credits, a reduction in help with council tax and the "bedroom tax" were the commonest problems reported. Overall, 83 per cent of parents with disabled children say the family is now having to go without. Of these, almost a quarter say their child's health has worsened as a result, and more than two thirds suffered ill health themselves. Read more on the Independent website.