Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
This is the main financial support available to help towards the additional costs of living with a disability. You can use the care component of this for childcare costs, which ranges from £17.10 per week to £64.60 per week depending on the rate. You can get a claim pack by contacting the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200 or textphone 0800 24 33 55, or by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus office, details are on their website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
If you are claiming Disability Living Allowance you may also be able to claim extra support through the disabled child element within Child Tax Credit.
Direct Payments
If you have parental responsibility for a child with disabilities you may be able to receive money to pay for services and equipment personally, instead of having them arranged by your local authority. Direct payments may be provided by social services after an assessment process. Getting money in place of social services’ care means you have greater choice and control over your life and you are able to make your own decisions about how the care is delivered.
Direct payments can be very useful in allowing you to shape your own childcare package, including support and services that are not routinely provided by community care services. Some local authorities may also offer specific childcare support.
You can contact the social services department at you local authority for information. You will find their contact details in your local phone directory or on your local authority’s website.
For more information about direct payments, you can read A Parents Guide to Direct Payments which is available from the Every Child Matters website, www.everychildmatters.gov.uk.
Disabled child element of Child Tax Credit
If you are claiming Disability Living Allowance for your child, you may also be able to claim extra support through the disabled child element of Child Tax Credit. There are two elements:
- disabled child element (£2,440 per year) - for each child within the family receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or who is registered blind; and
- a severely disabled child element (£980 per year) - for each child within the family who is receiving the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance.
To apply for Child Tax Credit you can contact the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900.