DURHAM County Council is urging families with disabled children to claim the benefits to which they are entitled.

A campaign, Quids for Kids, starts today as part of a drive led by the Local Government Association.

The council says many parents are unaware of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) paid to parents caring for disabled children.

Social services director Peter Kemp said: "If a child has both care and mobility needs then parents can get both components. This can be worth up to £97.15 a week.

"Disability Living Allowance is paid to help towards extra costs of disability and can be spent as parents like.

"It is tax-free, does not reduce other benefits and can help with claims for extra cash, such as carer's allowance and tax credits.

"Children with mental or physical disabilities can qualify and parents can also make a claim if their child has been statemented at school.''

The council has produced a detailed leaflet on how to claim DLA, which is being distributed through the Children's Network, the council's register of families with disabled children.

Mr Kemp said: "If a child already has an award of DLA, parents can ask the DLA Unit to look again at the decision, but if they do this, they could lose their existing award''.

Anyone in County Durham wanting information leaflets about DLA benefits should contact the Council's Social Care Direct on 0845 8 50 50 10.