Money advice

Having a child with special educational needs and disabilities can involve extra costs. There are different types of financial support available to help you and your family.

Visit the Gov website for further information and help with costs.

Benefits and grants

  • Benefits calculator - available for you to work out what you may be entitled to
  • Carer's Allowance - you could get help if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get Disability Living Allowance (the middle or highest care rate) or Personal Independence Payment (daily living component)
  • Council Tax discount - you can pay less Council Tax if you have extra space in your home to meet the needs of a disabled person
  • Disability Grants - provides information about benefits you may be entitled to
  • Access to Work grant can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children - help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
  • Family Fund - grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child on a low income
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - help with some of the extra costs for young people over the age of 16 who have a long-term health condition or disability
  • Universal Credit - a payment to help with your living costs, which you may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work
  • Gov UK - benefits and financial support if you're disabled or have a health condition
  • Disabled Student’s Allowance (DSA) – students in higher education with a disability or learning difficulty may be eligible for allowances to cover extra disability-related costs or expenses while studying

Personal budgets

Personal budgets are money allocated to children and young people under the age of 25, and their families to give them more control over the services they receive. We identify the amount required to deliver aspects of support set out in an Education, Health and Care Plan.