Children with additional support needs

If you have a child under 16 with a physical or mental illness or disability, you may be able to claim benefits and tax credits. Many families miss out because they do not know they can claim.

For example, some children who need extra help can get Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

This allowance is not only for disabled children. It is also for children with other difficulties, such as:

• a long-term illness
• emotional and behavioural problems
• mental-health support needs.

DLA is a tax-free benefit and it can be worth more than £5,000 a year. It can be paid whether you are working or not and will not reduce any other benefits or tax credits you get.

Other benefits

If you receive DLA for your child, you may also be able to get other linked benefits such as Carer's Allowance or extra Child Tax Credit.

Some families who get DLA still miss out on these. So, even if you are already receiving DLA for your child, it is worth getting an up-to-date benefits check.

Make sure you don't miss out - contact the Welfare Rights Service for a FREE benefits check.

Activities, services and childcare

Parents of disabled children can get help from the Families Information Service, which can advise them on activities, services and childcare options for children with additional needs. Contact the Families Information Service for more information.

If you pay childcare costs please visit our Help with childcare costs page for information about the main sources of help and for details of important changes affecting carers in working households from April 2012.

Older children

At the age of 16, young people with disabilities can usually either choose to claim benefits in their own right (even if they are still at school or college), or remain as part of your claim.

In most cases, you will be better off if you continue to claim for your child. However, it is important to get full benefits advice about this to be sure that you don't miss out.