Provide day 1 financial support to parents caring for a seriously ill child
We are calling on the government to implement Hugh's law. We want the government to provide financial support to parents who have to press pause on their life to look after their sick child, from the day their child is diagnosed.
Signatures
19,396
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 19,396/100,000
- 29 JUL 2025Petition closedFinal total: 19,396 signatures
- 24 FEB 2025Government respondedDepartment for Work and PensionsGovernment reply
We recognise the difficulties faced by parents of ill children and a range of financial support is available. The government has no plans to introduce a day 1 non-means tested grant.
Read full response - 06 FEB 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 29 JAN 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
Parents often struggle for financial support should they find themselves with a seriously ill child. There is a gap before parents of seriously ill children can apply for financial help. Currently, approximately 4,000 children in the UK spend more than 60 days in hospital every year.
If the government were to provide support to those 4,000 parents each year for a 3 month period to support them with the costs before they are eligible for DLA, we don't think it would cost the government much compared to what is spent on other things. We are asking for a day 1 non-means tested grant available for the parents of seriously ill children.