There are benefits for children and young people who need additional support. From the birth of a child with a disability, parents/carers may be eligible to claim benefits.

To find out about the City of Wolverhampton Council’s benefit services including housing, social security benefits, applying and challenging benefit decisions visit Benefits.

You can seek advice and contact both City of Wolverhampton Council and Citizens Advice Bureau by visiting Advice lines to get support with a range of Social Security Benefits issues and questions.

If you are an informal carer for your child then you may be able to get support about benefit advice from the Carers Support Team.

Mencap – Supporting Learning disability

Mencap have created a useful easy read benefits page which explains what benefits are, what you may be entitled to and how to apply for them.

To view Government guidance about benefits, visit Benefits and help for disabled people and carers.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children 0-16

DLA is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 who have extra care needs or mobility difficulties.

You can apply for DLA through the government's website.

For further help and guidance, download for free the Disability Living Allowance guide by Cerebra (national UK charity) which takes you through all the questions on the DLA form, explaining what each one means and giving tips on how to answer, visit Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) age 16 plus

For young people over 16, PIP can help with extra living costs if they have a long-term health condition or disability including autism or mental health condition.

PIP assessments can be complex, so support services can assist with the application process. For more information visit PIP.

For help filling in your PIP form visit Citizens Advice.

For other support with filling out PIP applications:

Universal Credit - 18 plus

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. Aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)

To find out if you are eligible to apply visit gov.uk/universal-credit.

For those who are unable to claim Universal Credit online please contact Citizen Advice Bureau.

Higher education funding - Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

Support to cover the study-related costs if you're an undergraduate or postgraduate student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability. It is extra support on top of your other student finance.

Find out more about DSA allowance and if you are eligible to apply by visiting Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability.

Access to work funds - 16 plus

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability. You could get help at work if you’re disabled or have a health condition, this may mean ‘reasonable adjustments’ are made, or specialist equipment is needed.

Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

  • a grant to help pay for practical support with your work 
  • support with managing your mental health at work 
  • money to pay for communication support at job interviews

Find out more about Access to Work and eligibility by visiting Access to work.

Carer’s Allowance

This is a benefit for carers aged 16 and over who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person.

To find out more visit Carer's allowance.

Carer's Credit

You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.

Find out more visit Carer's Credit.