End of means testing for children with disabilities

The Peterborough based Charity, The Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), has welcomed the ending of means testing on disabled children’s facilities grants.  ASBAH, along with other disability charities, has campaigned for several years – for the abolition of means testing on these grants, which provide adaptations to homes for children who have severe disabilities.

Under the old rules, most families were effectively excluded from receiving ‘Disabled Facilities’ grants because of the strict financial assessments made by local authorities.

England now follows Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in abolishing the means- testing.

ASBAH’s Assistant Director (Services), Mary Malcolm commented,

“We are delighted that our campaign has succeeded. ASBAH helps and supports thousands of families with children affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  We called our campaign ’Homes Fit for Children’ as families with severely disabled children, such as those with spina bifida, need accessible accommodation.”