There is a range of financial support available to help families and young people access opportunities, feel secure, and plan with confidence. Whether you are looking for help with education, childcare, family life or independent living, there may be support that is right for you.
This section brings together information about financial help for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their families. Each page explains what support is available, who it is for, and how to find out more or apply.
Use the following links to explore the different types of financial support available.
Direct Payments
Direct Payments give you more choice and control over how support is arranged. They let you receive funding directly, so you can decide how it is used to meet your needs. You can find detailed information about direct payments, including how they work and who they are for, on the dedicated direct payments page.
Direct Payments for Children in Social Care
Direct Payments for Children in Social Care explains how families can receive funding to arrange social care support in a way that works best for them. The page outlines what direct payments are, how they can be used, and what parents and carers need to know.
Health Direct Payments
For health direct payments, please speak to your child’s health professional, as these are arranged through health services.
Personal Health Budgets
A Personal Health Budget gives people more choice and control over how NHS funding is used to meet their health needs. This page explains what a Personal Health Budget is, who may be eligible, and how it can be used to support children, young people and adults. You can speak to your GP about Personal Health Budgets, or you can contact ‘Call Derbyshire’ on 01629 533190 and ask to be put through to the Welfare Benefits team.
Leaving Care Service
The Leaving Care Service is responsible for planning support for young people as they leave care.
Gold Card
Learn how to get a Gold Card if you have a disability or long‑term health condition. A Gold Card can help you travel more easily by giving free or cheaper bus travel. The page explains who can apply, who is eligible, and how to apply.
Erewash Voluntary Action Grants & Funding
Find information from the Erewash Voluntary Action Grants and Funding Bulletin about grants and funding opportunities for charities, churches, parish councils, volunteer community groups, not-for-profit organisations and many more.
Funded Childcare
Derbyshire County Council’s Families Information Service (FIS) explain how families can get up to 15 hours of funded childcare for 2-year-olds, and 3 and 4-year-olds. Additionally, working parents in Derbyshire could be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
GOV.UK Information
The following GOV.UK webpages will also provide you with additional funding and financial information:
16 to 19 Bursary
The 16–19 Bursary provides financial help for young people aged 16 to 19 who need support with education‑related costs, such as travel, meals or equipment. Find out who can apply and how the bursary works.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Disabled students' allowance (DSA) is in place to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children provides financial support for children under 16 who have extra care or mobility needs because of a disability. This page explains how to claim DLA for a child and what information you will need to apply.
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age who have a long‑term health condition or disability. It can help with the extra costs of daily living or getting around and is based on how your condition affects you.
Financial help if you’re disabled
Financial Help if you're disabled details all the disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions available.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a regular payment that can help with the cost of raising a child. The page explains who can claim Child Benefit, how much you may get, and how to apply.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit that helps with living costs for people who are on a low income or not working. It may be available to parents, carers and young people, and can include extra amounts if you or your child has a disability or health condition.
Guardian’s Allowance
Guardians Allowance is a benefit that provides extra financial support for people who are bringing up a child because one or both child’s parents have died. The page explains who can claim, how much you may receive, and how to apply.
Vehicle Tax Exemptions, Reductions and Motability
GOV.UK explains the Vehicle Tax Exemptions, Reductions and Motability available to help you get around if you or your child has a disability. It includes support such as help with buying or leasing a vehicle, vehicle adaptations, travel‑related costs, and Motability.
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who spend a significant amount of time caring for someone with a disability or long‑term health condition. The page explains who can claim, how much you may get, and how to apply.
Scope UK
The Scope UK Helpline offers free, confidential advice and support for disabled people, parents and carers. It can help with questions about benefits, education, health, care, and everyday challenges.
Working Families
Working Families is a charity that provides free advice and information to parents and carers about work, benefits and family life. They can help with issues such as flexible working, managing work alongside caring responsibilities, and understanding financial support.