Money & support
What you might be entitled to
Raising a child with SEND comes with real extra costs like therapies, equipment, lost income and more. There is however more financial help than families may realise. Here is an overview of what to look into.
This is not an exhaustive list and information may change. Always check the official sources before applying.
- On this page -
Most commonly missed
Many SEND families miss out on the disabled child element of Universal Credit, council tax reductions, and the Family Fund grant. If you only check three things on this page, start with these as they’re often worth thousands a year combined.
For your child
Benefits paid to support a disabled child or young person.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Under 16
A tax-free benefit for children under 16 who need more care, supervision or help getting around than other children their age. No diagnosis required; it’s based on the support your child actually needs. Not means-tested. Rates range from around £30 to £195 a week (2026/27).
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
16 and over
Replaces DLA when your child turns 16. They’ll be invited to apply by the DWP and it’s a fresh assessment, so a previous DLA award doesn’t guarantee PIP. Worth getting help from SENDIASS or Citizens Advice for the form.
Motability Scheme
Higher rate mobility
If your child gets the higher rate mobility component of DLA (from age 3) or the enhanced rate of PIP, you can use that money to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through Motability.
For you as a carer
Money and protections for the person doing the caring.
Carer’s Allowance
35+ hours/week
£86.45 a week (2026/27) if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets DLA middle/highest care rate, PIP daily living, or Attendance Allowance. There’s an earnings limit — check before applying if you work.
Carer’s Credit
National Insurance
If you can’t claim Carer’s Allowance (often because you earn too much), Carer’s Credit fills gaps in your National Insurance record so your State Pension isn’t reduced for the years you spent caring.
Universal credit – carer & disabled child elements
Often missed
If you’re on UC, there’s a carer element for caring 35+ hours/week, and a disabled child element paid on top of your standard UC if your child gets DLA or PIP. The disabled child element alone can be over £160 a month, more if the child is severely disabled. Update your UC journal if you’re awarded DLA.
Grants & one-off help
Charity grants for equipment, breaks, or specific costs.
Family Fund
The big one
The UK’s largest grants programme for low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children (0-17). Funds things like sensory equipment, white goods, family breaks, tablets, clothing. No diagnosis needed and eligibility is based on care needs across at least three areas. Open every 24 months.
Newlife Foundation
Equipment
Grants for specialist equipment (specialist chairs, beds, communication aids) the NHS or council won’t fund. They also run an emergency loan service for terminally ill children.
Cerebra
Brain conditions
For children with conditions affecting the brain. Free sleep service, a lending library of toys and equipment, legal entitlements service, and a parent guide library covering everything from EHCPs to challenging behaviour.
Caudwell Children
Equipment & therapy
Grants for specialist equipment, treatment (including autism assessments) and family support, for children under 18 with a disability or serious illness in households earning under £45k.
Everyday savings
Reductions and exemptions that quietly add up.
Council tax disability reduction
Often missed
If your home has been adapted for a disabled person (extra space for a wheelchair, a downstairs bathroom or bedroom because of disability, etc.), your council tax can drop by one band. Apply through Slough Borough Council and savings backdate.
Blue Badge
Parking
Disabled parking permit. Automatic if your child gets higher rate DLA mobility component. Otherwise apply through Slough Borough Council and non-physical disabilities (autism, cognitive conditions) can qualify too.
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
Home adaptations
Up to £30,000 from your council towards home adaptations and ramps, stairlifts, ground-floor bathrooms, widened doorways. Means-tested for adults but not means-tested when it’s for a disabled child. Apply through Slough Borough Council.
Free school transport
SEND
If your child can’t reasonably walk to their nearest suitable school because of SEND, the council must arrange free transport. Eligibility runs through Slough’s Local Offer.
VAT relief on disability equipment
Tax exemption
When buying things designed for a disabled person and adapted clothing, sensory equipment, certain mobility aids; you may not have to pay VAT. Just tick the eligibility declaration at checkout.
Where to get help applying
When buying things designed for a disabled person and adapted clothing, sensory equipment, certain mobility aids; you may not have to pay VAT. Just tick the eligibility declaration at checkout.
SENDIASS
What you can ask of your employer as a parent carer. Slough SENDIASS ->
Citizens Advice
Free help filling in benefit forms and challenging decisions. Citizens Advice ->
Slough Local Offer
The council’s directory of SEND services, including financial support specific to Slough. Slough Local Offer →
Slough SEND PCF and other Slough parents
Many of us have been through these forms. Come to an event, or message us on social media or via email; peer help is often the fastest. See events →
A note on accuracy. Benefit rates and rules change every April (and sometimes more often). The figures on this page reflect 2026/27 where stated. Always confirm with gov.uk or the relevant charity or service before applying.
If you spot anything out of date, please let us know at info@sloughsendpcf.org
