There are several benefits you may be able to claim if you have a disabled child. Some benefits which you may already be claiming may increase if you have a disabled child, normally when you claim a disability related benefit such as disability living allowance.
Below we list some of the benefits that may be of interest along with links to further information.
In the next section we also give more detailed information for families with disabled children who are claiming tax credits.
Carer’s allowance
Child benefit
Council tax benefit
Disability living allowance
Education maintenance allowance
Healthy start
Help with health costs
Housing benefit
Sure start maternity grant
What is it?
Carer’s allowance is paid to people who provide care for at least 35 hours per week. The person who is cared for must receive either disability living allowance (middle or higher rate care component) or attendance allowance.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Carers UK
Turn2Us
Is it taxable?
Carer’s allowance is taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
Carer’s allowance is counted in full as ‘social security income’ for tax credit purposes.
What is it?
Child benefit is a non-means tested benefit paid to people who have responsibility for a child (or children) or qualifying young person. It is paid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). There is no additional money payable through child benefit for disabled children.
Where can I find more information?
HMRC
Directgov
Adviceguide
Is it taxable?
Child benefit is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
Child benefit is not counted as income for tax credit purposes.
What is it?
Council tax benefit is paid by local authorities to help with your council tax bill. It is a means-tested benefit. You may get the disability child premium included in your applicable amount if you get disability living allowance for your child or if your child is registered blind.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Adviceguide
Is it taxable?
Council tax benefit is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
Council tax benefit does not count as income for tax credits.
What is it?
Disability living allowance (or DLA as it is commonly known) is a benefit for thosewho have mobility problems or need personal care. There are two components – the mobility component (lower and higher) and the care component (lower, middle and higher).
Children under 16 must satisfy an additional test for the care component and lower rate mobility component. You can claim the higher rate mobility component for children from the age of 3 onwards, and the lower rate mobility component from age 5. There is no lower age limit for the care component, but note that the requirement to meet the conditions for 3 months applies even to babies.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Disability Alliance (Disability Rights UK from 1 Jan 2012)
Contact a family
Turn 2 Us
Is it taxable?
DLA is non-taxable
Is it income for tax credits?
DLA is not counted as income for tax credits. However if you get DLA you might be entitled to more tax credits through the disabled element of working tax credit and the child disability element of child tax credit. Have a look at our factsheet for more information.
(Please note that the scheme closed to new entrants in England from 1 January 2011. The rules for other parts of the UK differ.)
What is it?
This is an allowance paid to young people up to 19 who stay on in education. It is means-tested by reference to parental income for the previous tax year. The rules of each EMA scheme depend on whether you are in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Directgov - EMA in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
EMA Scotland
LITRG website
Student Finance Wales
Is it taxable?
EMA is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
EMA does not count as income for tax credits.
What is it?
People who receive certain benefits can get vouchers for milk, fruit and vegetables from the healthy start scheme.
Where can I find more information?
Healthy start
Is it taxable?
Healthy start is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
Healthy start does not count as income for tax credit purposes.
What is it?
Help with health costs is available to people who receive certain benefits or who are on a low income.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Department of Health
Is it taxable?
Any help with health costs is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
Help with health costs does not count as income for tax credit purposes. Receipt of tax credits can give entitlement to help with health costs.Link to passporting factsheet]
What is it?
Housing benefit is paid by the local authority to those on a low income who have to pay rent. You may get the disability child premium included in your applicable amount if you get disability living allowance for your child or if your child is registered blind.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Adviceguide
Shelter
Is it taxable?
Housing benefit is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
It is not counted as income for tax credits.
What is it?
Income support is paid to people who are not required to work such as those with very young children and carers.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Adviceguide
Is it taxable?
Income support is non-taxable (if you are involved in a trade dispute it is taxable).
Is it income for tax credits?
Income support is not counted as income for tax credits unless you are involved in a trade dispute in which case it is counted as income. If you receive income-support (non-taxable) you will automatically be entitled to maximum tax credits.
What is it?
A payment made to low income families in receipt of certain benefits to help towards the costs of a new baby.
Where can I find more information?
Directgov
Is it taxable?
Sure start maternity grant is non-taxable.
Is it income for tax credits?
It is not income for tax credit purposes.
