Financial Help, Discounts, Special Assistance and Grants
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Find information about financial support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families, friends and carers. What exactly are you entitled to?
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who: is under 16 has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements. The DLA rate is between £28.70 and £184.30 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.
There are lots of amazing websites and Facebook groups for help, tips and guidance to help fill out your Childs DLA forms with success. Here are a few of our favourites:
You could get £81.90 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
People with hidden disabilities, including anxiety disorders or a brain injury, can apply for a Blue Badge.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a discreet sign that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need additional support. Many of the larger M&S and Tesco stores hand these out for free to customers at their customer service desks.
Special Assistance London Gatwick
The Special Assistance service can support you through the airport, and they also provide a range of accessible facilities and services to support your journey.
Grants are available for families living on a low income, raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person whose additional support needs meet their eligibility criteria. To decide if your family is eligible for a grant, Family Fund looks at your income and the impact of disability on your child.
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas that enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go free with them. The UK Cinema Association (UKCA) and its members want to make visiting the cinema an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all. They fully appreciate that some disabled people face barriers at the cinema as a result of the effect of their disability. The UKCA are working hard to identify and remove these barriers. The scheme allows a Cardholder to be accompanied by someone, free of charge, when they purchase a ticket to visit a participating cinema with that person.
Get your access requirements recognised at thousands of events, attractions, venues, and locations across the UK and beyond. Recognised in France.
National Trust Essential Companion card
If you are interested in being a National Trust member, you can buy an annual membership for your child for £10 and then get a carer membership free. The Essential Companion card makes it simple to bring one or two carers or companions with you, free of charge. Show the card when you arrive, and your carer(s) or companion(s) won't need to pay an entry fee.
Disability discounts for days out and travel
Tickets for families with disabled children If you have a disabled child, you could receive financial support to go on family days out. Organisations include:
If your child receives disability benefits or has a visual or hearing impairment, they could get a Disabled Persons Railcard. This will give you a third off most train fares for your child and 1 other person.
If your child is over 5, they could get a disabled person’s bus pass. The eligibility and savings will depend on your local council.
Apply for a disabled person's bus pass (GOV.UK)
Always ask the venue or activity if they do discounts or concessions. These can include free or discounted tickets for a carer.