Benefits, grants & funding

The extra costs of caring add up. Here are the official benefits pages for each UK nation and the charities that give grants.

Guide · last reviewed 1 November 2026 · information only, not medical advice

Disability benefits for children

In England and Wales, Disability Living Allowance for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a disabled child under 16. In Scotland the equivalent is Child Disability Payment. In Northern Ireland see nidirect. Always check current rates and rules on the official pages.

Support for you as a carer

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get Carer's Allowance or Carer's Credit. Other schemes are the Blue Badge, Disabled Facilities Grants for home adaptations and the Motability Scheme. Help if you have a disabled child on GOV.UK brings much of this together.

Charity grants and free advice

Family Fund gives grants to families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child. Turn2us has a grants search and benefits calculator. Contact and Carers UK offer free advice on claims.

Sources

14 listings

Blue Badge scheme – GOV.UK

Information about the Blue Badge parking scheme and applying through your council.

Government scheme · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Carer's Allowance – GOV.UK

Official information on Carer's Allowance for people caring for someone with substantial needs.

Government benefit · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Carer's Credit – GOV.UK

Helps carers protect their National Insurance record.

Government benefit · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Caudwell Children

Practical and emotional support for disabled and neurodivergent children and their families, including equipment.

Charity · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Child Disability Payment – mygov.scot

Scotland's replacement for child DLA: rates, who should apply and how to apply.

Government benefit · Scotland · checked 2026-11-01

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children – GOV.UK

May help with the extra costs of looking after a disabled child under 16 (England and Wales). Official eligibility and how to claim.

Government benefit · England & Wales · checked 2026-11-01

Disability Living Allowance for children – nidirect

Official DLA information for families in Northern Ireland.

Government benefit · Northern Ireland · checked 2026-11-01

Disabled Facilities Grants – GOV.UK

Council grants towards home adaptations for a disabled person.

Government grant · England, Wales & Northern Ireland · checked 2026-11-01

Family Fund

Grants for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child, for things they need most.

Charity · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Help if you have a disabled child – GOV.UK

Overview of rights and support: childcare, car costs, home adaptations and education.

Government guidance · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Motability Scheme

Use an eligible mobility allowance to lease a car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair.

Scheme · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Turn2us

Charity helping people access benefits and charitable grants, including a grants search and benefits calculator.

Charity · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Variety, the Children's Charity

Funds and delivers programmes for children and young people across the UK, including equipment grants.

Charity · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

VAT relief for disabled people – GOV.UK

Some disability equipment can be bought without VAT. Official rules.

Government guidance · UK-wide · checked 2026-11-01

Missing someone? Suggest a provider.

Questions families ask

Does a PURA diagnosis mean automatic entitlement?

No. Benefits are based on your child's needs, not the diagnosis name. A diagnosis letter and clear descriptions of daily care can help a claim. Contact's helpline can support you.

Articles

Applying for DLA for a child with PURA syndrome: a practical guide
How Disability Living Allowance for children works in England and Wales: who can claim, how to describe your child's needs, when payments start, and what to do if you disagree.

More practical guides for this topic are on the way. Get updates to hear when they're published.