Government-funded help, in one place
A checklist of programmes and benefits that support families with disabled or seriously ill children. Some depend on income, some on your child's DLA award, and some are available to every family. Amounts below are 2026/27 rates unless noted — always check the official links.
Benefits & money
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
Up to £194.60/week for children under 16 with extra care or mobility needs. Not means-tested. The gateway benefit for much of the list below — see the DLA Guide.
Carer's Allowance gov.uk/carers-allowance
£86.45/week (2026/27) if you care for your child for 35+ hours a week and they get the middle or highest care rate of DLA. You can earn up to £204/week from work and still claim. Note it can affect some other benefits — check before claiming.
Child Benefit gov.uk/child-benefit
£27.05/week for your eldest or only child, plus £17.90/week for each additional child (2026/27). Not means-tested (though there's a High Income Child Benefit Charge for earners over £60k). Claim even if you don't pay tax — it protects your National Insurance record.
Universal Credit gov.uk/universal-credit
If your family income is low, Universal Credit includes a disabled child element (and a higher rate for children with severe disabilities) on top of the standard amounts. Use a benefits calculator (e.g. Turn2us or EntitledTo) to see what you could get.
Family Fund grants familyfund.org.uk
Grants (up to a few hundred pounds, depending on the fund) for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child — for things like white goods, bedding, sensory equipment, computers or a family break. The UK's biggest grant charity for disabled children; apply via their website.
Free School Meals gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Free lunches at school (and often milk and fruit in early years) for children whose families receive qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit on a low income. Ask your school or council to apply. Some councils also run Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes with free holiday clubs for eligible children — check your council's website.
PIP / Adult Disability Payment gov.uk/pip
From age 16, DLA is replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — Adult Disability Payment in Scotland. Claim in good time before your child's 16th birthday.
Services, transport & practical help
Blue Badge gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
Parking permits for children aged 3+ with a disability or condition that affects mobility — including children with severe behavioural or psychological difficulties who are at risk in traffic. Children on the higher-rate mobility component of DLA qualify automatically; others can apply with evidence.
Motability Scheme motability.co.uk
If your child gets the higher-rate mobility component of DLA, their benefit can be used to lease a car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle or scooter (you become the nominated driver). Insurance, servicing and breakdown cover are included.
Disabled Facilities Grant gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
Council grants for home adaptations — widening doors, ramps, level-access showers, ceiling hoists. For disabled children under 18, the family's income is not taken into account when assessing the grant (up to £30,000 in England). Apply through your local council's housing team.
Short breaks & respite local offer on your council's website
Councils have a legal duty to provide short breaks for disabled children — from after-school and holiday clubs to overnight care. Ask your council's SEND team or SEND Local Offer (every council must publish one) about what's available, and request a carer's assessment for your own support needs.
Disability Access Fund (early years) gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs
An annual payment to nurseries, childminders and early-years providers who support a child with SEND in the free entitlement. Ask your provider to claim it — it doesn't come to you directly, but it can fund extra support for your child.
Children's Continuing Care NHS: "children's continuing care" + your area
If your child has complex health needs beyond what mainstream children's services provide, the NHS can fund care — including overnight nursing or therapy packages. Ask your child's consultant or the local integrated care board (ICB) for a continuing care assessment.
Council Tax reduction your local council
Families may get a Council Tax discount or a disabled band reduction if the child's needs mean an extra room or adaptations are required, and income-based reductions if on a low income. Contact your council's council tax team.
SEND Local Offer search "Local Offer" + your council name
Every council in England must publish a Local Offer — a directory of all the services, support and activities for children and young people with SEND in your area. This is usually the fastest way to find local groups, childcare, transport and advice.
Worth checking even if you think you don't qualify
Rules and funding pots change often, and many families miss out simply because they don't know something exists. Run a benefits check at Turn2us or EntitledTo, and ask your council's SEND team what's available locally. Charities like Contact can also tell you about one-off grants from smaller charities.
Don't miss the deadline trap
Some awards (like DLA) can be backdated up to 3 months if you claim in time — so don't delay. And when your child turns 16, DLA ends and PIP is a fresh claim: start it early.