Please see the information below to learn about benefits that may be available to you or the person you care for. Click on the + symbol to expand a section and see details of a particular item.
You may also view our Grants information page if you want to learn about some grants that may be available to you as a carer, as well as our Useful Links page for information about services, groups and organisations that cater to people with SEND and their carers.
Benefits for Carers
You can claim for DLA if you:
- are under 16
- were born after 8 April 1948 and you make a claim in the same year you stopped receiving DLA
DLA for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
- is under 16
- has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability
Web Link (main DLA page): https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit/overview
Web Link (DLA for children): https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/overview
You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for and you won’t be paid extra if you care for more than one person.
Note that the Carer’s Allowance can affect other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.
Live-in carers looking after someone who isn’t their partner, spouse, or child under 18 aren’t included when working out Council Tax.
You may be eligible for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme scheme if you live in a property that is larger than you would need if you or another occupant weren’t disabled.
People who are severely mentally impaired also aren’t included when working out Council Tax.
Web Link: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people
Benefits for People with Disability
You may be eligible for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme scheme if you live in a property that is larger than you would need if you or another occupant weren’t disabled.
You also aren’t included if you’re a live-in carer looking after someone who isn’t your partner, spouse, or child under 18.
Web Link: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people
You can claim for DLA if you:
- are under 16
- were born after 8 April 1948 and you make a claim in the same year you stopped receiving DLA
If you’re not eligible, note that you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
DLA for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
- is under 16
- has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability
Web Link (main DLA page): https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit/overview
Web Link (DLA for children): https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children/overview
When you apply for ESA, you will also need to get a Work Capability Assessment to see the extent that your illness or disability affects your ability to work.
You will then be placed in one of 2 groups if you’re entitled to ESA:
- work-related activity group, where you’ll have regular interviews with an adviser
- support group, where you don’t have interviews
Web Link: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview
The amount, between £22 and £141.10 a week, depends on how your condition affects you, not the what condition itself is. When you apply for this benefit, you’ll be assessed by a health professional to work out the level of help you can get and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you’re getting the right support.
Web Link: https://www.gov.uk/pip/overview/