Universal benefits for parents, carers and people with SEND
The benefits on this page are universal, which means they can be claimed by anyone who is eligible.
This includes:
- parents and carers of children or young people with special educational needs or a disability (SEND)
- people with SEND
If you are in one of these 2 groups, you may get more money than normal from universal benefits.
Universal benefits that you can apply for
Read about funded childcare you can claim, including:
- 2 year old funded childcare
- 3 and 4 year old funded childcare
If your child has a disability or long term health condition, you may get extra money from Child Tax Credit.
For most people, Child Tax Credit has been replaced by Universal Credit.
You can only make a new claim for Child Tax Credit if you get the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it.
Read more about Child Tax Credit, and use the tax credits calculator to get an idea of how much you could get.
You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment to help with home heating costs if your child has SEND or a long term health condition, and you’re getting one of these benefits:
- Income Support
- income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income related Employment and Support Allowance
Read more about Cold Weather Payments.
More of your Council Tax bill may be paid for you if you are disabled or have someone with a disability living with you.
Read about free transport to and from school that children under 16 with SEND may qualify for.
If you rent your property, some of your rent may be paid for you if you are disabled or have a long term health condition.
Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. But you can still make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you get the severe disability premium.
Read more about Housing Benefit, and use a benefits calculator to check if you can get it.
Income Support can help to cover your costs if you are on a low income.
Income Support is being replaced by Universal Credit. You can only apply for Income Support if you get the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it.
Read more about Income Support.
If you’re caring for a severely disabled child or young person for at least 35 hours a week, you may get extra money from Universal Credit.
This extra money depends on the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you are getting for your child.
Read more about Universal Credit.
Universal Credit replaces other benefits such as Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.
To find how signing up for Universal Credit may affect your income, contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.