Benefits and finance for those with SEND

Short breaks and respite

Community Access Grants are available for parent carers to arrange activities for a short break for their child or young person (0 to 18 years). The Southend Council Short Breaks team also provide grants for groups and organisations to provide short breaks for disabled children and young people. Read about the grants on the Short Breaks page.

Vehicles and transport

• Blue badge parking scheme
• Vehicle tax exemption
• Vehicle tax reduction
• Motability
• VAT relief for vehicles
• Community and public transport

Find out more about financial help for vehicles and transport

Home and housing

• Direct payments
• Disabled facilities grant
• Housing benefit/universal credit

Find out more about financial help for home and housing

Television license discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either

• you're registered blind or severely sight impaired
• you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

Find out more about TV licence discount

VAT relief for disabled people

If you're disabled, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use.

Find out more about VAT relief

Carer's Allowance

You could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.'

Find out more about Carer's Allowance

Watch a video about Carer's Allowance with British Sign Language