There is a wide range of disability-related financial support available, including benefits, tax credits and allowances.
In this section of Brent’s Local Offer you will find information on some key support you may be entitled to.
You can also use the benefits calculator on the GOV.UK website to find out what support you might qualify for and an estimate of how much you could receive.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children can help with the extra cost of looking after a child who:
You should consider applying if your child has a long-term illness which affects their everyday activities, even if you do not consider your child to be disabled.
The allowance can help you meet additional expenses caused by long-term health problems, such as higher heating bills, taxi fares or additional laundry.
The GOV.UK website has more information including DLA eligibility criteria and how to claim.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs for young people if:
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
The GOV.UK website has more information including PIP eligibility criteria and how to claim.
There is a variety of support available to carers ranging from benefits to discount schemes.
You may be able to claim a weekly allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they claim certain benefits including:
The GOV.UK website has more information including Carer’s Allowance eligibility and how to claim.
You can receive Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance (NI) credit that helps with gaps in your NI record. The benefit helps to protect your pension rights if you are caring for someone but not paying NI contributions through paid work.
The GOV.UK website has more information including Carer’s Credit eligibility and how to claim.
Max Card is a discount card for families of children with additional needs. You can use the card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. For more information, visit the Max Card website.
You can apply for a card through Brent Parent Carer Forum CIC by becoming a member, for more information visit the Brent Parent Carers CIC website.
The Yellow Card enables access to concession rates across Brent’s leisure Centres, various multi sports activities, soft play centres and local cinemas as it can be used as a form of ID for proof of Disability. This also applies to young people over the age of 17 who can apply for the B.Active Card for Brent's leisure centres at a discounted rate.
When applying for a Yellow Card, your child will be added to The Disabled Children and Young People’s disability register, which is a voluntary register of children and young people under 18 who live in the borough and have a disability or special educational need. Find further information below.
The Disabled Children and Young People’s Register is a confidential list of names and basic information about children and young people (up to the age of 25) with disabilities, special or additional needs. The Children Act 1989 requires all Local Authorities to establish a register of children with a disability in their area.
For the register, the definition of disability is taken from the Equalities Act 2010 and can include:
The register helps us to plan and develop services for children and young people with disabilities living in Brent. In addition to planning, the register also allows us to share news and information with families.
The register is used as a means for us to keep families updated with any new developments. Once registered you will also receive a ‘yellow card’ which will allow your child access to reduced rates for activities at participating leisure centres/providers within Brent. As the card will be registered to the individual child their photo will also be attached as a form of ID.
No, the register is voluntary. Your child or young person does not have to be on the register to receive services and support from health or social care.
By registering this will also not affect any services or benefits that you currently receive for example DLA, PIP, care package provided through social care following assessment.
You can find information on how we use the information provided by reading the Disabled Children and Young People’s Register privacy notice.
You may be entitled to reduced Council Tax if your child has a disability and your home has either:
You can read more about Council Tax discounts and reductions and how you can apply.
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs.
You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
The GOV.UK website has more on Universal Credit.
A personal budget is an amount of money we identify to deliver all or some of the provision set out in an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Having a say in the way this budget is used gives more choice and control over the support your child receives.
Personal budgets can be used to arrange and pay for support like:
You can request a personal budget as part of the assessment and planning process for the EHC plan, or at an annual review. We can offer help to guide you through the process of agreeing a budget.
There are three ways a personal budget can be provided:
View Brent Personal Budget Policy December 2023 if you wish to request an Educational personal Budget parents are required to complete the PB request form.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the extra study costs students face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty.
This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance.
The type of support and how much a young person receives, depends on their individual needs.
The GOV.UK website has more information including DSA eligibility and how to apply.
There are a wide range of charities and foundations that provide grants and funding opportunities for families who need additional support looking after children or young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Buttle UK
Runs the Chances for Children grants programme designed to meet the multiple needs of vulnerable children and young people by funding a holistic package of support, ranging from household items to longer-term educational and emotional needs. The charity has also established a Covid-19 Direct Emergency Response for Children and Young People Fund.
Cauldwell Charitable Trust
Provides 70-80 per cent of the funding required for a piece of equipment (depending on the whole cost) for a disabled child or young person, including high-functionality powered wheelchairs, mobility buggies, therapy tricycles, car seat and harnesses, multi-sensory equipment and specialist sports equipment
Children’s Hope Foundation
Awards grants to help families with disabled or seriously ill children to pay for medical equipment, computers, books and school trips.
Family Action
Provides practical, emotional and financial support for families and runs a small grants programme focusing on welfare and education.
Family Fund
Gives grants for a wide range of items to families with a disabled or seriously ill child or young person up to the age of 17, including sensory toys, family breaks, outdoor play equipment and computers.
Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust
Helps people of all ages who are ill, convalescing or disabled by providing grants for medical and household aids.
Lifeline for Kids
Awards grants for essential equipment to help improve the quality of life for children and young people up to the age of 18 with disabilities and special needs.
NewLife Charity
Distributes grants for essential equipment for disabled and terminally ill children including beds, buggies, wheelchairs and seating systems. It also runs a free loan of equipment which can help children at significant risk of injury and those in urgent need because of unstable life threatening/limiting conditions or terminal illness.
Nihal Armstrong Trust
Provides grants for equipment, communication aids and specific services for children and young people with cerebral palsy, up to the age of 18.
Strongbones Children’s Charitable Trust
Awards grants for children and young people up to the age of 21 with complex needs that also have a diagnosis of scoliosis, brittle bone disease, spina bifida, bone cancer or any other serious condition of the bone to help purchase disability equipment, manual wheelchairs, smart home technology, supportive seating and trikes.
The League of the Helping Hand
Helps people living on a very low income with a physical or diagnosed mental health condition or learning disability and those caring for an adult or child with a disability. Support includes one-off grants for essential household items, specialist equipment and carer’s breaks.
Turn2Us
Helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits and charitable grants based on their circumstances, with an easy-to-use benefits calculator, grants search and other information and resources. The charity is also providing a range of Covid-19-related financial advice.
Whizz Kids
Offers grants for a range of mobility equipment to help children and young people with a physical disability aged up to 18 have independence at home, at school and at play.
WellChild
The WellChild Helping Hands is a home improvement programme which, with volunteers from local companies, transforms gardens and bedrooms for children and young people with exceptional health needs across the UK. The charity is also offering a Covid-19 Direct Response Service to help families get personal protective equipment (PPE) and support with supplies.