Information on Government Benefits

Introduction

If you care for a disabled child, you and your child may be entitled to some financial assistance and concessions to aid with the increase in living and travelling costs that are normally associated with caring for a child with special needs

There are several benefits that may be available and these include:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Carers Allowance
• Working and Child Tax Credit
• Council Tax Discount
• Road Tax Exemption

Some of the benefits are means tested and others are based on the needs of your child. It can also seem very daunting, therefore there are some good resources available to support you with published literature or join Special Kids in the UK and talk to other parents about their experiences and tips

Disability Living Allowance

DLA is for people who have a disability or an ilness and is paid to their parent/guardian until the age of 16, after which is it is paid to the child in their own right. It is not means tested and is also a tax free benefit. DLA is broken down into two parts - Help with Personal Care an Helping with getting around outdoors. Your child may be entitled to one part or both dependant on their needs. The childs needs must be in excess of what a child without disabilities of that age would need.

Help with Personal Care

The care component of DLA is set at three rates - Lower, Middle, Higher - and is designed for children who need extra care or supervision. To qualify for the lower rate component your child must require extra care for a significant portion of the day. For middle, they must need continual supervision or frequent care during the day OR prolonged or repeated care or supervision during the night. For higher, the care and supervision requirement must be across the day AND night.

The application form for Personal Care is extensive. It is a good idea to keep a diary of your child's daily care and supervision needs for a period before you fill the form in, to ease the completion process

Help with Getting Around/Mobility

The mobility component of DLA is for children who have difficulties getting around and walking. It is set at two rates - Lower and Higher. Lower rate is only available to children over 5 years of age who need signficantly more help, guidance or supervision outdoors than any other children of their age. Higher is for children who have severe difficulties walking, cannot walk, severe mental or behavioural problems. This is available from the age of 3 years of age.

Applying for Disability Living Allowance

You can get a claim pack for DLA from the Disability Benefits Unit on 0845 712 3456 ensuring you request a DLA1 Child form. You can also find more information including current rates and you can download the forms from the Department of Work and Pensions website DWP Website. For help in completing the form, Cerebra produce a guide that you may find useful

Carers Allowance

If your child receives the middle or highest rate care component of DLA, you may be entitled to Carers Allowance. This benefit is for people who are looking after a sick or disabled person. If you get the middle of highest rate care component for your child, care for your child for a minimum of 35 hours per week, you are not in fulltime education, and earn less than a certain amount per week, you may be entitled. There are some benefits that will prevent you from claiming Carers Allowance but even if this is the case, you may still get Carer Premium. For more information on Carers Allowance, contact Carers Allowance Unit on 01253 856123 or go to the DWP website

Working and Child Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit can be claimed by anyone with a dependant child whether you work or not and is paid in addition to Child Benefit. You may receive increased Child Tax Credit if you have a disabled child if they receive Disability Living Allowance or are registered blind. Child Tax Credit is paid into the bank account of the carer.

Working Tax Credit can be applied for if you have a child and you and your partner (if applicable) are working at least 16 hours a week. Also there are some exceptions if you dont work and care for children. It can sometimes help towards childcare costs but rules apply. Working Tax Credit is paid through your employer in your wages or by the Inland Revenue if you are self-employed. The child care element is paid directly to the carer

For more information on both tax credits including the rules and application forms. Contact Inland Revenue Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or go to their website

Council Tax Discounts

You may be able to claim a reduction in Council Tax if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. For more information, go to the Direct Gov Website: Council Tax section

Road Tax Exemption

If your child is on the higher rate of the mobility component for Disablity Living Allowance and you have a vehicle that is being used for the direct purposes of the disabled person, you can apply for a Road Tax Exemption certificate.

Contact The Disability and Carers Benefit Directorate on 0845 712 3456. Once in receipt of your certificate, as long as you have your vehicle registration documents, you can get your free tax disc from the post office.