TYLER Fishlock's family and thousands like them struggling to raise a disabled child may get help.
A federal government taskforce has recommended easing eligibility requirements for the child carers' payment.
Only 3570 families qualify for the payment, despite 165,000 Australian children having a severe or profound disability.
Tyler, 5, lost his eyes to cancer retinoblastoma.
But his mother, Georgette, was unable to claim the carers' payment because Tyler was not classed as disabled.
The Caroline Springs woman, who led a campaign to change the rules, said she was delighted her fight had been recognised.
"They made it so hard and rigorous that no one could access that payment," she said.
The means-tested payment is worth up to $537 a fortnight. Parents of children who don't qualify get the standard allowance of about $95 a fortnight.
"That didn't even cover the cost of parking at the Royal Children's Hospital," Ms Fishlock said.
Currently, children must be terminally ill or have at least three serious medical or physical conditions to qualify for payment.
In 2005-06, 12 per cent of carers' allowance applicants got the benefit.
Family and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said the old rules were tough for families.
"Let's think about those rules. Let's look at what parents need to support severely disabled children," she said.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
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