Parents/carers of children with special needs and disabilities
Disability Living Allowance
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
DLA can be used to pay for childcare and respite care (including short Breaks).
- check the eligibility criteria on the government website
- how to claim on the government website
- Disability Living Allowance on the government website
Disability Access Funding
If your child is in early years education, your early years provider could be eligible for extra funding to help support your child.
Your child’s early years provider could get £910 or more per year to help with their education and support.
This will be paid direct to your early years provider.
Is my child eligible for Disability Access Funding?
You can apply to get disability access funding (DAF) if your child receives Disability Living Allowance for children and one of the following:
- Universal 3- and 4-year-old entitlement
- 2-year-old entitlement for families receiving additional forms of support
- Working parent entitlement for 9 months-4 years old
What do I do next?
Speak to your childcare provider about DAF or contact earlyyears@southend.gov.uk
Early Years Pupil Premium
If your child is in early years education, your early years provider could be eligible for extra funding to help support your child.
Your child’s early years education provider could get up to £570 per year to help with your child’s education. This will be paid direct to your provider.
Early Years Providers will use the money to support your child's learning and development. This will be informed by their understanding of your child's needs and preferences. The money could help your child to:
- benefit from extra resources and equipment suited to their needs
- enjoy a range of new play, learning and activity experiences
- be prepared for starting school
Is my child eligible for this funding?
If your child is aged 9 months- 4 years old and you meet at least one of the following criteria below, your childcare provider may be entitled to claim funding for your child:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax not including any benefits you get
You may also get early years pupil premium if your child is currently being looked after by a local authority in England or Wales or if your child has left care in England or Wales through:
- adoption
- special guardianship order
- a child arrangements order
Four-year-olds in primary school reception classes who already receive the school-age pupil premium are not eligible for EYPP funding.
What do I do next?
Speak to your childcare provider today, they will be able to check your eligibility. This funding will be paid directly to the childcare provider.