Devon’s SEND Local Offer

Benefits and allowances

Children and young people with SEND, and their families may be entitled to additional support. This might include benefits or allowances provided by the government or help from your local council.

There are also number of national organisations and charities who provide support such as grants or equipment.

Once young people turn 16 they can claim any benefits and allowances in their own right. Young people might start to earn their own money too, perhaps through an apprenticeship, or starting part-time work.

Help may also be available with things like travel and housing – our living independently pages have lots of information young people may find useful.

Our managing your money page contains useful advice to young adults as they start to live more independently.

Disability benefits

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) may help with the extra cost of looking after a child under 16 who has difficulties walking, or needs much more support than a child of the same age without a disability.

DLA is made up of 2 components (parts), the ‘care component’ and the ‘mobility component’. To get DLA your child must be eligible for at least one of the components.

Personal Independence Payments

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are payments made to young people or adults over the age of 16 with a long-term ill-health or disability. Parents can apply for PIP on behalf of a young adult as their appointee, or the young person can apply in their own right.

There are 2 parts to PIP:

  • a mobility part – if you need help with getting around
  • a daily living part – if you need help with everyday tasks

The national charity Contact has produced a useful guide to Personal Independence Payments.

Blue Badges

Children and young people aged three and over automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if at least one of these applies:

Children and young people who don’t automatically qualify, but have significant mobility issues may still be eligible.

Find out more, including how to apply on the GOV.UK website

Motability scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you lease a car if your child is aged 3 or over and is entitled to either the:

More information about the scheme is on the Motability website.

Benefits if you’re on a low income

Carers Allowance

If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits, you could be entitled to claim Carer’s Allowance.

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Employment and support allowance

You may be able to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that means you can’t work, or affects how much you can work.

You will need to have worked (or been self-employed) and paid some national insurance contributions (or gained National insurance credits) to be eligible though.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment available to eligible people over the age of 18.

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

If you qualify for Universal Credit you’ll continue getting any other benefits you already receive, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.

Health or social care support

Disabled Facilities Grants

You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home. In Devon these grants are provided by your local District, Borough or City Council. Find out more about Disabled Facilities Grants.

Financial support for health needs

A personal health budget is an amount of money granted by your local NHS team to help with your health and wellbeing needs.

Personal budgets and Direct payments

Some children and young people may be eligible for either a personal budget or direct payments to provide the support they need. They may also be able to access our short breaks service.

See our dedicated Personal budgets and direct payments pages to find out more.