What benefits are available for families with disabled children?

Key benefits include Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under 16, Carer's Allowance if you care for at least 35 hours a week, and additions to Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit. Carer's Credit can also protect your National Insurance record.

Can I claim DLA for my child?

DLA can support children under 16 who need more care, supervision, or help getting around than a child of the same age. The higher mobility rate can apply from age 3, and the lower mobility rate from age 5. Care needs can be considered earlier. It can be claimed whether you are in or out of work.

What grants are available for SEND families?

Family Fund grants help low-income families with items like appliances, sensory equipment, breaks, clothing, and technology. Some charities offer condition-specific grants for therapies, equipment, or respite. Local councils and carers' centres often know about small local grants that are not widely advertised.

How does the Motability Scheme work?

The Motability Scheme helps families lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter, or powered wheelchair if the child receives the higher rate mobility component of DLA. It can include insurance, maintenance, and breakdown cover.

Who can help me check what benefits I can claim?

A benefits adviser, Citizens Advice, Contact charity, or a local carers' centre can do a benefits check. Turn2us also has an online grants and benefits checker. Do not assume you are receiving everything available — rules change and many families miss out.

Money help

Benefits and grants for SEND families

A quick route through the financial support that can make daily life easier, from DLA and grants to Motability and transport help.

Current official figures checked

These figures were checked against GOV.UK on 18 June 2026. Always use the linked official page before submitting a claim or appeal.

DLA child rates Care: £30.30 / £76.70 / £114.60 weekly. Mobility: £30.30 / £80 weekly.Carer's Allowance earnings rule You usually need earnings of £204 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and allowed expenses.

Benefits to check first

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can support children under 16 who need more care, supervision, or help getting around than a child of the same age. It can be claimed whether you are in or out of work.
DLA mobility has age rules: the higher mobility rate can apply from age 3, and the lower mobility rate from age 5. Care needs can be considered earlier.
Carer's Allowance may be available if you care for your child for at least 35 hours a week, they receive the right disability benefit, and your earnings are within the current limit.
Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit can include disabled child additions. Tell your benefits office as soon as DLA or PIP is awarded.
Carer's Credit can protect National Insurance record for some carers who do not receive Carer's Allowance.

Grants for equipment and everyday costs

Family Fund grants can help low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children with items such as appliances, sensory equipment, breaks, clothing, and technology.
Some charities offer condition-specific grants for therapies, equipment, communication aids, or respite. Eligibility rules vary, so keep a short summary of your child's needs ready.
Local councils, carers' centres, and parent carer forums often know about small local grants that are not widely advertised.
Turn2us and Citizens Advice can help check whether there are national or local grants that fit your circumstances.

Motability, Blue Badge and transport

The Motability Scheme can help families lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter, or powered wheelchair if the child receives the higher rate mobility component of DLA.
Blue Badge eligibility can include children with significant mobility needs, hidden disabilities, or children under 3 who need bulky medical equipment nearby.
Home-to-school transport is a separate route through your local authority. If your child cannot reasonably get to school because of SEND, ask for the council's transport policy.
If transport is refused, ask for the decision, policy and appeal process in writing. Transport can be linked to distance, safety, mobility, route, age and whether the named school is the nearest suitable school.

Practical money checks

Keep copies of award letters, EHCP paperwork, clinic letters, and school reports. They can support grant applications and benefit renewals.
Ask a benefits adviser, Citizens Advice, Contact, or a local carers' centre to do a benefits check before assuming you are receiving everything available.
If a DLA or benefit claim is refused, check the mandatory reconsideration deadline and ask for help quickly. The deadline is often short, so do not wait until you feel ready.
Use a care diary. Decision-makers need to understand what happens repeatedly, how long it takes, what is different from a child of the same age, and what would happen without your help.

Need help filling in the forms?

Our AI prompt guides walk you through the DLA application and Carer's Allowance forms step by step — with prompts you can copy and adapt.

DLA application guide Carer's Allowance guide

Use this as a starting point

Benefits and grant rules change, and eligibility depends on your family's circumstances. A local welfare rights adviser or Citizens Advice can check your exact position.

See wider family wellbeing support

Sources and official pages

GOV.UK: DLA for children GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance GOV.UK: Blue Badge GOV.UK: free school transport

Last reviewed: 18 June 2026. Rates and earnings limits checked: 18 June 2026.