What is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit designed to support individuals who spend a significant amount of time caring for someone with substantial care needs. If you provide at least 35 hours of care per week for a child with long-term health needs, such as ventilation, you may qualify for this payment.

Who Can Claim?

To be eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you must meet the following criteria:

• Care Requirements: You provide at least 35 hours of care per week, including tasks such as monitoring ventilation equipment, feeding, administering medical care, and assisting with personal care.
• Qualifying Disability Benefit: The person you care for must receive a qualifying benefit, such as the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• Income Limit: Your earnings must not exceed £196 per week after tax, National Insurance, and allowable expenses.

How Much?

• Carer’s Allowance is paid at a rate of £83.30 per week, with payments typically made every four weeks.

Additional Information

• Universal Credit: If you receive both Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by the amount of Carer’s Allowance. Instead, you can claim the Carer Element of Universal Credit for additional support.
• If you don’t provide more than 35 hours of care per week, but do provide more than 20 hours of care per week, you may be able to apply for Carer’s Credit, instead. Carer’s Credit is an National Insurance Credit which helps if you have gaps in your National Insurance record. This can help with things like your State Pension entitlement, as your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record.

How to Apply
You can apply for Carer’s Allowance in the following ways:

• Online: Submit your application via the GOV.UK website.
• By Post: Request a paper form from the Carer’s Allowance Unit by calling 0800 731 0297.
• Claims can be backdated for up to three months if you were eligible during that period.

Further Information
For more information on benefits, support, and resources, visit the Welfare section of our website. You can also contact the Carer’s Allowance Helpline at 0800 731 0297 for assistance.

What is Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is a regular payment designed to help parents and guardians with the costs of raising children. Only one parent or guardian can claim the benefit per child, even if responsibility is shared.

Who Can Claim?

You can claim Child Benefit for your child if you meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: The child is under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training.
• Residency and Immigration: You meet residency and immigration requirements
• Responsibility: You must be responsible for the child. This would usually include living with the child, and paying at least the same amount as Child Benefit (or the equivalent in kind) towards looking after them – for example on food, clothes or nappies.

This benefit is available regardless of employment status, however you may experience a tax charge if you are a higher earner. See the additional information section for more details. 

How Much?

Child Benefit is paid at two rates:

• Eldest Child or only child: £26.05 per week.
• Additional Children: £17.25 per child, per week

Payments are usually made every four weeks. However, if you are a single parent or receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, you can request weekly payments.

How to Apply
You can apply for Child Benefit in the following ways:

• Online: Submit your application via the GOV.UK website.
• By Post: Complete and post a claim form available from HMRC.

For more information on benefits, support, and resources, explore the Welfare section of our website. You can also contact the Child Benefit Helpline at 0300 200 3100 for assistance.

Additional Information

• High Income Child Benefit Charge: Overview – GOV.UK: If you or your partner earns over £60,000 a year, you may have to pay back some or all of the benefit through a tax charge. You can opt out of receiving payments to avoid this charge.
• Backdated Payments: Claims can be backdated for up to three months, so it’s important to apply as soon as you take responsibility for a child.
• Benefit Cap: While Child Benefit counts toward the benefit cap, the full amount will still be paid, although other benefits may be reduced. There are exemptions to the Benefits Cap, including if you, your partner, or children under 18 are in receipt of any Disability Benefits.

Child Benefit for children in hospital, care or residential accommodation

Child Benefit payments may be affected if your child goes into:

• care for more than 8 weeks: you can continue to recieve Child Benefit if your child spends at least 24 hours per week at home
• goes into hospital or ‘residential accommodation’ for more than 12 weeks: you can continue to recieve Child Benefit if you still reguraly spend money on them. If they’re in hospital abroad, you can continue to recieve Child Benefit if: you’re back in the UK, they only went abroad to be in hospital and you”re regularly spending money on them

What is DLA?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit designed to help with the additional costs of caring for a child under 16 who has a disability or health condition. Children with special medical needs, such as long-term ventilation, may qualify for DLA to support both their care and mobility needs.

Who Can Claim?

You can claim DLA for your child if they meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: The child must be under 16 years old.
• Health Condition: The child must have difficulty walking or require additional care due to a disability or health condition. This condition must have lasted (or be expected to last) at least 3 months, with continued support needed for at least another 6 months.
• Care and Mobility Needs: Your child may qualify for the Care Component, the Mobility Component, or both. For children under 3 years old, only the Care Component is considered, as mobility needs are not assessed until age 3.
• Residency and Immigration: The claimant must meet the UK immigration status requirements. In most cases the child will need to be living in England or Wales for you to claim DLA.

How Much?
DLA is paid at two components, each with different rates:

• Care Component (for help with daily living tasks):
• Lowest Rate: £29.20 per week (some help or supervision during the day).
• Middle Rate: £73.90 per week (frequent help or continual supervision during the day or night).
• Highest Rate: £110.40 per week (round-the-clock care or terminal illness).
• Mobility Component (for help with mobility):
• Lower Rate: £29.20 per week (guidance or supervision needed outdoors).
• Higher Rate: £77.05 per week (unable to walk or severe walking difficulty).

How to Apply
You can apply for DLA in the following ways:

• Call the DLA Helpline at 0800 121 4600 to request a paper form (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Ordering a claim form by phone sets your claim’s start date to the day of your call. Ensure the form is returned within 6 weeks to backdate payments to the call date. We recommend calling the DLA Helpline to order an application form, so that you don’t miss out on any payments that your child may be entitled to.
• You can download and print an application to fill out from the GOV.UK website, however please note that your application start date will be the date that DLA receive the completed application form. It is recommended to order an application form over the phone, so that you have an earlier application start date. 

Further Information
For more information on benefits, support, and resources, visit the Welfare section of our website. You can also contact the DLA Helpline at 0800 121 4600 for assistance (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for individuals aged 16 and over who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. It helps cover the extra costs of daily living or mobility challenges. PIP is not means-tested, so it can be claimed regardless of income or savings. If your child transitions from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to PIP and requires long-term ventilation, they may qualify for this support.

Who Can Claim?

You can claim PIP if you meet the following criteria:

• Age Requirement: The claimant must be 16 years or older.
• Health Condition: The claimant must have a long-term condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living or mobility for at least 3 months and is expected to last for at least 12 months from when the difficulties started.
• Residency and Immigration: The claimant must meet the UK residency and immigration status requirements.

PIP can be claimed even if you are working, have savings, or are receiving most other benefits.

How Much?
PIP is divided into two components:

1. Daily Living Component (for help with everyday tasks):
• Standard Rate: £73.90 per week (for those needing help with some tasks).
• Enhanced Rate: £110.40 per week (for those needing help with most tasks).
2. Mobility Component (for help with getting around):
• Standard Rate: £29.20 per week (for those needing some help with mobility).
• Enhanced Rate: £77.05 per week (for those unable to move around without significant support).

Additional Benefits and Support

• Individuals receiving the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component may also qualify for a Blue Badge for Disabled Parking, access to the Motability Scheme and other concessions. See our travel page for more information.

How to Apply
You can apply for PIP if your child is above the age of 16.

If your child is already receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA), they’ll recieve a letter inviting them to claim PIP shortly after their 16th birthday, or when they leave hospital if they were in hospital on their 16th birthday, or about 20 weeks before their DLA award ends, if they were awarded DLA under special rules for people who might have 12 months or less to live. You must apply for PIP before the end date in this letter, or your child’s DLA payments will stop.

• Call the PIP New Claims Line: 0800 917 2222 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm), then complete the “How Your Disability Affects You” form (PIP2), which will be sent to you after making the claim.
• Apply online: You can only apply online in some areas. Use this checker to see whether you’re able to claim online.

PIP applications are assessed using a points-based system. Be prepared to:

• Provide detailed information about the claimant’s care and mobility needs, including any specific medical requirements such as ventilation support, as well as assistance needed with daily living tasks.
• Submit additional evidence if requested.
• Attend a face-to-face or virtual assessment, if required, and explain how the condition impacts daily life.

Further Information
For more information on benefits, support, and resources, visit the Welfare section of our website. You can also contact the PIP Helpline at 0800 917 2222 for assistance.

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a monthly payment designed to help individuals and families with living costs if they are on a low income or not in work. It replaces several previous benefits, including Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.

Universal Credit provides additional support for parents caring for children with significant health needs, such as long-term ventilation, and can also help with housing, childcare, and daily living expenses.

Who Can Claim?

You may qualify for Universal Credit if you meet the following criteria:

• Income: You are on a low income or unemployed.
• Age: You are aged 18 or over (some exceptions apply for 16–17-year-olds).
• Savings: You have £16,000 or less in savings and investments.
• Residency and Immigration: You meet UK residency and immigration status requirements.

Universal Credit can be claimed if you are in full-time or part-time work, out of work, or unable to work due to a health condition.

How Much?

Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance and additional amounts depending on your circumstances. You may not receive the full amounts below, as deductions can be made based on factors such as your income (including from some other benefits) or savings, or if you owe money for Council Tax, court fines, electricity, gas, water or Child Maintenance.

• Standard Monthly Allowance:
• Single, under 25: £316.98
• Single, 25 or over: £400.14
• Couple, both under 25 (combined): £497.55
• Couple, one or both 25 or over (combined): £628.10

• Additional Elements
  
  Child Element
• £339 per month for your first or only child born before 6 April 2017.
• £292.81 per month for your first or only child born after 6 April 2017.
• £292.81 per month for each additional child.
  Disabled Child Element:
• £158.76 per month for children receiving DLA or PIP.
• £495.87 per month for children receiving the highest rate of DLA care component, enhanced PIP rate for daily living, or who are registered blind.

Please note that the Child Element will stop if the child is expected to be in hospital for more than six months. This will also stop the Disabled Child Element that the child recieves. 

• Childcare Costs:
• Up to 85% of childcare costs can be reimbursed. The most you can receive is:
• £1,031.88 per month for one child.
• £1,768.94 per month for two or more children

  Childcare must be provided by a registered provider, and costs are paid upfront before reimbursement

• Disability or Health Condition Support:
• £423.27 per month if you have limited capability for work.
• £158.76 per month if you have limited capability for work and started your health-related Universal Credit or ESA claim before 3 April 2017.
• Carer Element:
• £201.68 per month if you provide at least 35 hours of care per week for someone receiving a health or disability-related benefit. This is on top of any Disabled Child Elements that you may receive.Please note, if you are claiming Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by the amount you receive for Carer’s Allowance.

Additional Information

• There may be additional support available to help with housing costs, based on your housing status (home-owner, private tenant, social housing tenant).

How to Apply
You can apply for Universal Credit online via the GOV.UK website. Be prepared to provide details about your:

• Income, savings, and regular expenses.
• Childcare costs (if applicable).

Further Information

For more information on benefits, support, and resources, visit the Welfare section of our website. You can contact the Universal Credit Helpline at 0800 328 5644 for assistance.

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is a payment to help with rent if you are on a low income. Although new claims are mostly closed, it is still available for people in supported accommodation, temporary accommodation, or those of pension age.

Who Can Claim?

• You live in supported or sheltered accommodation that provides care, support, or supervision.
• You are in temporary accommodation provided by the council (for example, if you are homeless).
• You are pension age and meet the eligibility criteria.

Most new claims are now made through Universal Credit unless you are in one of these specific groups.

How Much?

• Your income and savings.
• The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate in your area.

How to Apply

• Online: Visit https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council to find your council and apply.

Additional Information

If you are on Universal Credit, you cannot usually get Housing Benefit — rent help will be in your Universal Credit payment.

What is the Universal Credit Housing Element?

The Universal Credit Housing Element is part of a Universal Credit payment and helps with rent for low-income households, including those with disabled children. It replaces Housing Benefit for most working-age people making new claims.

Who Can Claim?

You may be able to claim if:

• You are responsible for paying rent (private, housing association, or council housing).
• You are on a low income or benefits and meet the Universal Credit eligibility rules, including limits on income and savings.
• You live in accommodation where rent is part of your housing costs.

 If you are living in supported accommodation, you may need to claim Housing Benefit instead.

How Much?

The amount you receive depends on:

• Your rent amount.
• The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in your area (if renting privately).
• Your income and savings.
• Whether you qualify for additional elements, such as the disabled child addition, which can increase your overall Universal Credit award.

How to Apply

• You can apply for Universal Credit, including the Housing Element, online via the GOV.UK Universal Credit page.
• You will need to provide evidence of your rent, such as a tenancy agreement and recent rent statements.
• For help applying, contact the Universal Credit Helpline: 0800 328 5644.

Additional Information

• You cannot claim Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing Element at the same time.
• If you move home or have changes in rent, make sure to update your Universal Credit account to ensure you are getting the correct amount for housing costs.

What is DHP?

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is extra financial help from your local council if Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Element does not cover all your rent, or if you need help with other housing-related costs such as a rent deposit.

Who Can Claim?

You can apply for a DHP if you:

• Are already receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Element.
• Are struggling to pay your rent because of a shortfall between rent and benefit.
• Need help with rent arrears, a deposit, or rent in advance to move to a more suitable home.
• Are at risk of eviction or homelessness without temporary extra support.

How Much?

• The amount awarded is decided on a case-by-case basis by your local council, depending on your circumstances.
• DHP is usually a temporary solution to help during difficult periods — not a long-term ongoing payment.

How to Apply

• Apply directly through your local council’s Discretionary Housing Payment scheme.
• You will usually need to provide evidence of rent, income, and reasons for needing the payment.

Additional Information

• DHP is a discretionary fund, which means there is no automatic entitlement — each council will assess your application based on need.
• You may be asked to work with housing or money advice services as part of the support offered.
• DHP cannot be used to cover service charges that are not covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Element, but it can help with rent shortfalls.

What is Council Tax Reduction?

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) helps reduce the amount of council tax you have to pay if you are on a low income or claiming benefits. Each local council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme, so the amount of help can vary depending on where you live.

There are also Council Tax discounts and exemptions that may apply where a disabled child is in the home or where a parent is acting as a carer.

Who Can Claim?

You may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction or a discount if you:

• Are on a low income or benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Are responsible for paying council tax on your home — this applies to both renters and homeowners.
• You have a disabled child living in the property, including a child on Long-Term Ventilation (LTV).
• You are a live-in carer for a disabled child or another adult with care needs.
• Someone in the home has a severe mental impairment, such as a significant learning disability or brain injury, and meets the legal criteria.

Some people in the household may be classed as ‘disregarded persons’ for Council Tax purposes — this means they are not counted when calculating the bill. You must apply for these discounts or reductions.

How Much?

• The amount of reduction depends on your income, savings, and who lives in your home.
• Each local council sets its own rules, sets its own rules, so the level of support may vary depending on where you live.

Examples of reductions that may apply include:

• If your home has been adapted for a disabled child, including a child on Long-Term Ventilation (for example, extra space for ventilation equipment, suction machines, medical storage, hospital beds, or specialist buggies), your bill may be reduced to the next lowest Council Tax band. If your home is already in Band A, you may receive a 17% reduction instead.
• If you are a live-in carer, you may be eligible for a 25% discount.
• If you are the only adult in the home, you may qualify for a 25% discount.
• If all adults in the home are disregarded (for example, due to disability or caring roles), you may receive a 50% discount.
• Low-income families may qualify for up to 100% Council Tax Reduction, meaning no council tax to pay.