Money matters

In this section:
Benefits, funding and grants

Benefits, funding and grants

If you have children with special education needs and disabilities, there is different financial support available.

School meals

  • Benefits calculator - available for you to work out what you may be entitled to.
  • Carer's Allowance - you could get help if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get Disability Living Allowance (the middle or highest care rate) or Personal Independence Payment (daily living component).
  • Council tax disability relief scheme - reduction in your council tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential (or of major importance) to the wellbeing of a disabled person who lives there
  • Disability Grants - provides information about benefits you may be entitled to.
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children - help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability.
  • Family Fund -  UK's largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income.
  • Free school meals - if you have children up to the age of 19 years in full-time education at a Hillingdon school, you may claim for free school meals if you receive a qualifying benefit.
  • GOV.UK website - provides useful information regarding all aspects of financial help if you have children.
  • Hillingdon's care and support directory - lists a range of specialist agencies that can give help and advice on claiming benefits and dealing with appeals.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) -  help with some of the extra costs for 16-year-olds and over with a long-term ill-health or disability.
  • Universal Credit - a payment to help with your living costs, which you may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work (the amount of Universal  Credit is not affected by PIP and Disability Living Allowance payments).

DASH Transitions Project

If you're 16 to 25-years-old with a disability, DASH offers help and support to fill in forms and attend appointments relating to benefits.

Read more about DASH's programmes

Page last updated: 17 Jul 2023