Disability-related benefits

Reaching Families are a local charity that have a benefits advice service.

They can help support you with applying for a range of benefits if you or someone you care for has SEND.

They also have useful factsheets on a range of topics including benefits.

This is a tax free, social security benefit. It's for children and young people up to 16 with an illness or disability. It is based on your child’s needs and not on your household income. 

To get DLA, your child must need significantly more help or looking after than another child of the same age who doesn’t have any special needs.

Anyone over 16 must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead of DLA.

Contact is a charity for families of disabled children. They have detailed information on DLA and Tips on completing the Disability Living Allowance form.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you are over the age of 16 and have both:

• a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

Disability Rights UK have produced a range of materials to help with applying for PIP.

If you're not happy with the PIP decision, Advice Now have a guide about How to win a PIP appeal.

Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra amount of tax-free income allowance. This means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax.