Grants, allowances and support
There are many costs associated with SEND that can stretch finances.
You may be entitled to grants and allowances if you're a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND or you are a young person with SEND.
Grants and allowances include:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
- Motability - to help you pay towards a mobility vehicle if you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - to help people aged 16 or over with some of the extra costs if they have a long term ill-health or disability
- Family Fund - helps families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under
- Disabled Facilities Grants - for making changes to a home for a disabled child or young person. In Medway, you have to be referred for this by your occupational therapist
- Access to Work - helps to cover the costs of practical support in the workplace
- Housing Benefit - helps you pay for all or part of your rent
- Universal Credit - for working age people who are on low income or out of work
- Disability Premiums - extra amounts of money that can be added to your benefits
- Disability Students Allowance - for young people who have a disability that affects their ability to study
- Carers Allowance - for people who care for someone at least 35 hours a week who get certain benefits such as PIP or DLA
- Carer's Credit - you could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week. Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. View the eligibility
criteria and apply for Carer’s Credit - Blind Person’s Allowance - means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax
- SEN Travel Assistance - options are offered by Medway Council for children and young people with SEND
- Childcare - if you have a child aged 2 to 4 you may be able to get a free childcare place for up to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year
- Household Support Fund - the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with significantly rising living costs
- Financial Welfare Hub - find information on debt and financial welfare support offered across the council
- Housing-related support - email Floatingsupport@medway.gov.uk
- Family Fund Mobility Support - if you have a disabled or seriously ill child under 3, and would benefit from access to a car, the Family Fund Mobility
Support programme could help - Grants tool search:
Find out how to help a person manage their finances or personal welfare.