What else you’re entitled to when your child gets DLA

If you care for a disabled child, you can have an assessment to see what support might help make your life easier. This is called a carer's assessment, also known as a parent carer’s assessment. 

Carer’s assessment

If you do not claim other benefits or have not been eligible, you may be entitled now that your child gets DLA.

Getting DLA will not reduce the money you get from other benefits.

Use the Turn2us calculator to see what benefits you’re entitled to.

Universal Credit

You might be able to get extra money through Universal Credit.

You can either get the disabled child addition, which is an extra £156.11 per month if your child gets DLA or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Or the severely disabled child addition, which is an extra £487.58 per month if your child:

• has the higher rate care component of DLA
• or the enhanced rate daily living component of PIP
• or is registered blind

Child Tax Credit

There are 2 ways you might be able to get extra money through Child Tax Credit.

The disabled child element is an extra £80.01 per week if your child gets DLA, PIP or is registered blind.

There is also an extra amount of £32.20 per week if your child gets:

• the higher rate care component of DLA
• the enhanced rate daily living component of PIP

Housing Benefit

The disabled child premium is an extra £80.01 per week for each child that gets DLA or PIP. Make sure you claim this if you already get the disabled child element of Child Tax Credit.

The disabled child element of Child Tax Credit counts as income for Housing Benefit and can affect how much you receive.

Carer’s Allowance

You might be eligible for Carer’s Allowance when your child gets DLA if you:

• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for them
• earn £151 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

If you earn more than £151, you might be entitled to the Universal Credit carer’s element.

Carer’s Allowance counts as income for other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit.

You need to declare it to the offices that pay your other benefits.

You get Class 1 National Insurance credits if you claim Carer’s Allowance and do not pay National Insurance. This can help you qualify for other benefits in the future, for example:

• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Carer’s Allowance

Universal Credit carer’s element

Universal Credit has a carer’s element which is similar to Carer’s Allowance. While it does not have the £151 earnings limit, Universal Credit has an overall limit on what you can earn.

If you’re eligible for the carer’s element and Carer’s Allowance, you can claim both.

You may still be able to get the carer’s element if your earnings are over £151. You still need to provide 35 hours of care to someone who gets a qualifying benefit like PIP or DLA.

You might find that you get more money from the carer's element because Carer’s Allowance is deducted from Universal Credit.

Ask a benefits adviser (Turn2us)

Or call the Scope helpline.

You could still receive the extra money when your child moves from DLA to PIP.

Your child needs to:

• get the daily living component of PIP and
• be under 16 or a qualifying young person

Qualifying young person when your child is 16 to 19

The amount of money you receive will depend on what rate of the daily living component your child gets.

If your child does not qualify for PIP, you will no longer receive the additional money.

You might be able to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme if your child gets:

• the higher rate mobility component of DLA
• the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP

You pay to join the scheme using the mobility components of your DLA or PIP. The scheme does not pay for your fuel, but does cover:

• insurance, including tyre and windscreen replacement cover
• servicing, maintenance and repairs
• breakdown cover
• vehicle tax

Driving and Motability

There may be discounts available to you for attractions, activities and travel.

Discounts could include:

• money off the price of tickets
• free or discounted companion tickets

Disability discounts for days out and travel