subject: Benefits Available for Disabled Children [print this page] Benefits Available for Disabled Children
Caring for adisabled child is not only time consumingbut places considerable emotional and economicstrain on a family. To minimise the financial burden, it
is important that families check that they are receivingthe state benefits that their child is entitled to and thatthey may be entitled to as his or her carers.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is probablythe obvious starting point. DLA is a tax freebenefit for children, and adults, who needhelp with personal care or have mobilitydifficulties because they are physically ormentally disabled. DLA is therefore paid intwo components; a care component (DLAC)and a mobility component (DLAM). A childmay be entitled to one or the other, or both.Both components can be paid at differentrates, depending on how disability affects
your child.
DLA can also act as a gateway benefit toother benefits. For example, the MotabilityScheme provides assistance and advice tofamilies of disabled children who need helpgetting a vehicle or scooter, or adapting avehicle, to accommodate their child's needs.The family of a child over three years old,who receives DLAM at the higher rate, canapply to the Motability Scheme for help withleasing or buying a suitable vehicle. Part ofthe child's DLAM is then used to fund thevehicle the family needs to meet the child'sparticular transport requirements.Motability also offers a hire purchasescheme for powered wheelchairs andscooters. One of the advantages of thescheme is costs saving; the cost of hiring acar through the scheme is not subject to VATand the cost of adapting a vehicle for adisabled person is also eligible for VAT relief.A child over two years old, either in receiptof DLAM paid at the higher rate, orregistered blind, is also entitled to parkingconcessions under the Blue Badge parkingscheme.
Even if your child is not receivingDLAM at the higher rate, or is younger thantwo years old, you may still be able to applyfor a Blue Badge on his or her behalf. Yourchild may be eligible if he or she hassubstantial difficulty walking, needs to beaccompanied by bulky medical treatment,or you need to stay close to a vehicle, eitherto be able to provide your child with medicaltreatment or for easy access to hospital etc.The parking concessions afforded by thescheme include parking on single or doubleyellow lines for up to three hours (exceptwhere there is a ban on loading orunloading), exemption from the Londoncongestion charge (subject to registrationand payment of a one off 10 fee) and sometoll fee concessions.
Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit paidto people who care for someone disabled(an adult or a child), whether a relative ornot. To qualify for Carer's Allowance, youneed to be providing at least 35 hours ofcare per week to someone in receipt ofmiddle or highest rate DLAC. Unfortunatelyyou cannot get Carer's Allowance if you arestudying or in receipt of even a fairly modest
net income.
The benefits system is far fromstraightforward and it is widely believedthat many people do not claim their fullentitlement to benefits. This article hasbeen prepared to offer an insight into whatassistance may be available and highlightwhat we see as the most obvious startingpoint. There may well be other benefitsavailable to you and your child dependingupon your family's individual circumstances.
It is therefore important to check that youand your child are receiving the mostappropriate benefits and a call to theDisability and Carers Service, part of theDepartment for Work and Pensions, maywell be worthwhile.
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