Rossendale dad’s fury over grant loophole

12:52pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Adams

FRUSTRATED Ian Dobbs and his son Kyle who needs a safe place to play FRUSTRATED Ian Dobbs and his son Kyle who needs a safe place to play

A ROSSENDALE dad-of-two has blasted a ‘ridiculous’ loophole that is denying him a grant to help his severely disabled 10-year-old son.

Care worker Ian Dobbs shares custody of his eldest child Kyle, who suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism, with his ex-wife.

Despite Kyle being identified as a priority case for a Disabled Facilities grant by his occupational therapist, Ian has been told he cannot claim the cash as his ex-wife holds Kyle’s child benefit book.

Mr Dobbs, of Fernhill Crescent, Stacksteads, said he was ‘sick to the back teeth’ of being passed from pillar to post by Rossendale and the county councils.

He has already spent £20,000 of his own money levelling land in his back garden.

Now he needs a further £6,000 to £10,000 to make the area completely secure for Kyle, who often has to use a wheelchair.

Ian sees Kyle, who attends Tor View Community Special School, and his brother Harry, six, every other week.

He said: “I was told that only the person who holds the child benefit book can claim the grant, but Kyle spends exactly the same amount of time at my house as he does at his mother’s.

“It’s my child that matters, not who has the benefit book. He suffers.”

Lancashire County Council declined to comment on individual cases, but said such grants had to be ratified by Rossendale Council.

A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.”

Comments (10)

1:06pm Thu 20 Sep 12

useyourhead says...

So just claim it yourself, not rocket science, even if you actually refund the money to your ex, she should be happy to comply if it means her child will be better off.
So just claim it yourself, not rocket science, even if you actually refund the money to your ex, she should be happy to comply if it means her child will be better off. useyourhead

1:07pm Thu 20 Sep 12

LittleMissKc says...

The mother can sign the child benefit over to the father. Why not do that and get the money you desperately need? You can sign the money back over to the mother after you've received the money x
The mother can sign the child benefit over to the father. Why not do that and get the money you desperately need? You can sign the money back over to the mother after you've received the money x LittleMissKc

3:35pm Thu 20 Sep 12

halfhearted says...

He see his child every other week ? He dosn't say that the child stays with him but he sees him. He has already spent £20,ooo on his back garden but requires a further £6 - 10,000.
Yes I'm sorry about his sons condition,but why should this money come from the public purse,has his ex wife received grant money to improve life at her house ?
There are too many un answered questions here to make it a complete story.
He see his child every other week ? He dosn't say that the child stays with him but he sees him. He has already spent £20,ooo on his back garden but requires a further £6 - 10,000. Yes I'm sorry about his sons condition,but why should this money come from the public purse,has his ex wife received grant money to improve life at her house ? There are too many un answered questions here to make it a complete story. halfhearted

6:09pm Thu 20 Sep 12

vanmanstan says...

THE PUBLIC PURSE CANT PAY FOR EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE.20,000 levelling? whats he levelling the M6?
THE PUBLIC PURSE CANT PAY FOR EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE.20,000 levelling? whats he levelling the M6? vanmanstan

7:05pm Thu 20 Sep 12

HelmshoreBoy says...

A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.”

That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.
A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system. HelmshoreBoy

7:35pm Thu 20 Sep 12

l m h jones says...

HelmshoreBoy wrote:
A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.”

That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.
helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you.
[quote][p][bold]HelmshoreBoy[/bold] wrote: A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.[/p][/quote]helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you. l m h jones

7:44pm Thu 20 Sep 12

vanmanstan says...

l m h jones wrote:
HelmshoreBoy wrote: A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.
helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you.
hes had his share of the cash thats available, just trying it on going to the papers.
[quote][p][bold]l m h jones[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]HelmshoreBoy[/bold] wrote: A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.[/p][/quote]helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you.[/p][/quote]hes had his share of the cash thats available, just trying it on going to the papers. vanmanstan

9:03pm Thu 20 Sep 12

mys says...

It's sad for the little boy but come on,the public purse can't pay for everything,they've had enough help at one home so why should they get it for another,£20.000 for levelling a garden it sounds like you've been ripped off mate.
It's sad for the little boy but come on,the public purse can't pay for everything,they've had enough help at one home so why should they get it for another,£20.000 for levelling a garden it sounds like you've been ripped off mate. mys

10:43pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Rimbus says...

'Rossendale dad’s fury over grant loophole'

It's not a loophole that's stopping him getting any money, it's the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.
'Rossendale dad’s fury over grant loophole' It's not a loophole that's stopping him getting any money, it's the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations. Rimbus

11:55pm Thu 20 Sep 12

kyledobbs says...

vanmanstan wrote:
l m h jones wrote:
HelmshoreBoy wrote: A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.
helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you.
hes had his share of the cash thats available, just trying it on going to the papers.
I am saddened by your comments. What you take for granted everyday of your life is a major issue for my son.
Can you eat and drink normally. Thank your lucky stars that you and your family is healthy. Kyle is fed through a tube. Has on average 20 to 30 siezures a day. Still in nappies ? Besides every thing else, which he has to tackle each day. His Autism makes him struggle with the outside world.Neither my ex wife or I have recieved any funding ,Get all the facts, before you put such disturbing comments on.
He spends a full week at my house.
[quote][p][bold]vanmanstan[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]l m h jones[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]HelmshoreBoy[/bold] wrote: A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant can only be applied to Kyle’s main residence. Where there is a joint custody agreement in place, this is determined by the property where the child benefit is paid into, as stated within the 1996 Home Repair Assistance Regulations.” That just about sums it up in a nutshell. More than enough provisions have been made for the young man, not only at his home, but probably at his school as well. I think its call;ed trying to screw the system.[/p][/quote]helmshore boy i really hope you never have to care for anyone who is profoundly disabled these words will haunt you.[/p][/quote]hes had his share of the cash thats available, just trying it on going to the papers.[/p][/quote]I am saddened by your comments. What you take for granted everyday of your life is a major issue for my son. Can you eat and drink normally. Thank your lucky stars that you and your family is healthy. Kyle is fed through a tube. Has on average 20 to 30 siezures a day. Still in nappies ? Besides every thing else, which he has to tackle each day. His Autism makes him struggle with the outside world.Neither my ex wife or I have recieved any funding ,Get all the facts, before you put such disturbing comments on. He spends a full week at my house. kyledobbs

Comments are closed on this article.

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