As a parent of a child with a disability you are often entitled to different benefits and financial support. Make sure you are claiming the appropriate benefits, although at first it may be difficult to know what you are entitled to. Please use this list as a guide to what is available and if in doubt seek advice from some of the organisations at the end of this section.

This is the main benefit for disabled children. It has two parts and either or both parts can be claimed.  If your child needs extra care or supervision they may qualify for the care component.  this part has 3 rates depending on how much extra care your child needs. It can be paid from aged 3 months, or from birth of your child's condition is terminal. If your child needs help getting around they may qualify for the mobility component which has two rates. The higher rate, which can be paid from 3 years, is for those with severe mobility problems. If your child gets the higher rate of the mobility component you may qualify for the Motability Scheme to help you hire or buy a car.  The lower rate, which can be paid from age 5 years, is for children who need supervision or guidance when getting around outdoors. The benefit is not means tested so it does not matter how much money you have already coming in or in savings. You can obtain a Disability Living Allowance claim pack (DLA 1A Child) from your local department for Work & Pensions Office, or by telephoning the Disability Benefit Unit on:

This is extra money for you as a carer, because you look after a disabled child. To qualify, your child has to get Disability Living Allowance for care at the middle or highest rate. There is no test of savings, but it may not be payable if you have earnings over a certain limit, or are already on a similar benefit like Incapacity Benefit or State Retirement Pension. Your partner's income does not affect payment of basic Carer's Allowance. Ask for a claim pack from your local Department of Work and Pensions Office.

This can be claimed by anyone with a dependent child. The amount you get is based on your family circumstances and your annual income (but not your savings). Although means tested, you are guaranteed some Child Tax Credit so long as your income is less than a certain amount (this amount changes each year). Your award may be higher if you have a child with a disability. This is because an extra amount is added to the calculation for each child who is on DLA or who is registered blind. If your child gets the highest rate of DLA care component a further amount is also added. This is on top of Child Benefit. Ask for form TC600 from your local Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre on:

This is extra money for families with children where at least 1 parent works 16 hours a week or more. The maximum amount you can get will depend on your circumstances and your annual income (but not your savings). It can include help towards certain childcare costs. As it is means tested, you may get less than the maximum or nothing at all if your income is too high.  Please see 'Further Benefits at 16' for details for working young people.

This is a reduction on the yearly bill for people who use a wheelchair indoors or have got an extra bathroom or kitchen in the house for a disabled family member.  There is no test of income or savings for this benefit.  You can also qualify for a council tax discount if there is only 1 adult living in the household or the household has a low income.

While caring for your child, other benefits that may be available are:

• Road Tax Exemption - This is for families of children aged 3 years or over who qualify for the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.

On Low Income:

• Income Support or

• Job Seekers Allowance

• Working Tax Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

• Social Fund - Grants towards things like extra bedding, special clothing, room heaters or laundry equipment if you get income support or are on income-based job seekers allowance and have someone in the family who is disabled or seriously ill.

• Fares to hospital and other NHS benefits - If you get income support or income-based job seekers allowance and your child is under 16 years of age.  You should take your travel tickets or receipts along with proof of the relevant benefits you claim to your local hospital.  There will be a specific department that deal with these claims. 

• Prescriptions are free of charge to certain groups of people.

Once a young person is 16 they can claim benefits in their own right, such as Incapacity Benefit and Income Support.

16-18 year olds may be able to receive this if they are still at school or in full-time education.  Ask for a form from your local Department for Work and Pensions Office, or telephone the Disability Benefit Unit or the Benefit Enquiry Line on:

A payment you may get if you don't have a full time job and your income is below a set amount.  Ask for a claim form from your local Department of Work and Pensions Office.

This includes an extra element for people with a disability, which may be payable to a person with a disability, working 16 hours or more a week.  Ask for form TC600 from an Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre.  A helpline is available on:

16-18 year olds (and some 19 year olds) who stay on at school/college or who undertake certain types of unwaged training may be eligible for a weekly payment known as an EMA.  The amount awarded depends on parental income and no payment is made if annual taxable income exceeds a set figure.  EMA's do not affect any of the benefits that you or your child recieves.  Contact your child's school, college or training provider for more details.

The Benefits Agency has a benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities and their carers.

The Family Fund is the largest independent grant-giving organisation, helping families in the UK caring for a severely disabled child/children living at home.  The Fund supports families through the provision of grants that relate to the need of their disabled child or young person - provided the family meets the Fund's grant-making criteria.  Grants are discretionary and subject to funds being available.

The Doncaster Lions may also be able to provide a grant for certain things.  You will need to apply directly to the organisation and should not assume you will be successful in your application.

The Benefits Advice Tribunal Unit (BATU) offers help in identifying any benefit which could be claimed, and also assistance in claiming it.  The BATU operates in various venues around the Doncaster area:

• Redmond Centre, Carcroft

• Library & Customer Service Centre, Bentley

• Community House, Clark Avenue, Hyde Park

• Library & Customer Service Centre, Woodlands

• NCCS (Formerly Social Services) Reception, Council House, Town Centre

• Library & Customer Service Centre, Balby

• Library, Wheatley

• Danum Credit Union, Stainforth

• Job Shop, Hope Centre, Stainforth

• Library & Customer Service Centre, Conisbrough

• Library & Customer Service Centre, Mexborough

• Sure Start, Hedgerow Centre, Moorends

• Highfields Community Centre

• Denaby Main Forum, Denaby Main

• Doncaster Library & Customer Service Centre, Town Centre

• Thorne Library

• Miners Welfare, Rossington

T.I.E has a leaflet available for families to explain what benefits are available for children with disabilities and a leaflet for young people aged 16 years and over.  If you would like a copy of this leaflet please contact T.I.E on:

DiAL offer a wide range of help and advice on benefits and entitlements including home visits to help complete forms.

The Direct.Gov website offers lots of information on all benefits and has various applications for you to download.