Financial advice and support

Information about financial advice and support available to families.

Information about financial advice and support services available to families. 

Financial advice and support

Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)

Students can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to help with extra costs caused by a disability, a long-term illness, or a mental health condition.

These allowances are given in addition to other student finance.

Students do not have to pay back Disabled Students’ Allowances.

Find out more on the Disabled Students’ Allowances page. 

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can help with extra costs when looking after a child who:

  • is under 16 years old, and
  • has difficulty walking or needs much more care than a child of the same age without a disability.

DLA is money for children who have extra care needs or mobility needs (difficulty getting around) because of a disability.

Children cannot make a new claim for DLA if they are 16 or over.

Find out more about DLA on the Government website.

How to Complete a DLA Form

Carers Leeds and Irwin Mitchell have made a video to help families complete a DLA form.

If you have any questions about anything in the video you can contact Carers Leeds on 0113 380 4300 or advice@carersleeds.org.uk

Carers Allowance

A person may get Carer’s Allowance if:

  • they care for someone, and
  • both the carer and the person they care for meet certain rules.

The person being cared for must already get one of these benefits:

  • Personal Independence Payment (daily living part)
  • Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest care rate)
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit)
  • Constant Attendance Allowance (at the basic full-day rate with a War Disablement Pension)
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Child Disability Payment (middle or highest care rate)
  • Adult Disability Payment (daily living part at the standard or enhanced rate)

Find out more about Carer’s Allowance and how to apply on the Government website.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra costs for people who have a long-term illness or disability.

The amount given depends on how the condition affects the person, not the name of the condition.

A health professional will assess the person to decide the level of help they can get.
The payment rate is checked regularly to make sure the person gets the right support.

Contact Details

Utilities

Scope offers free energy advice to any household in England or Wales where a disabled person lives.

They can help with:

  • Energy debt
  • Switching tariffs or suppliers
  • Changing a meter
  • Green energy options
  • Becoming more energy efficient
  • Getting energy benefits, grants, and trusts
  • Contacting or complaining to a supplier
  • Understanding bills
  • Learning how to use heating systems
  • Free pre-payment fuel vouchers (conditions apply)

Contact Details:

National support

Family Fund

Family Fund helps families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person up to the age of 24.

Family Fund believes these families should have the same choices, quality of life, and opportunities as other families. They work towards this by:

  • Giving grants to families on a low income for things they may not be able to afford, such as family breaks, digital equipment, furniture, clothing, bedding, and play equipment.
  • Offering services to help parents and carers get the support they need. This includes advice on money, benefits, and budgeting, information on mental health and wellbeing, and practical workshops to help families get online and use digital tools.
  • Providing ways for families to share their experiences and influence change on issues that matter to them.

Who Can Apply?

Family Fund uses the social model of disability to decide who can apply. They look at family income and how the disability affects the child.

Children and young people do not need a diagnosis to meet the criteria.

Read more about the Eligibility Criteria.

How to Apply

Parents or carers of a disabled or seriously ill child or young person can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Find out how to apply on the Family Fund website.

Contact Details 

Financial help if you are disabled

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, funding, grants and concessions.

To find out what financial support is available to carers visit https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled 

Personal budgets and direct payments

Personalised Budgets, including Direct Payments, are available for children and young people who have more complex needs.

They must have had an assessment to decide what support they need.

Find out more on the Personal Budgets and Direct Payments page.