Grants and allowances for parents
Finding out about grants and allowances can often be frustrating. This section brings together a lot of information but does not cover everything that is available.
Please note that some grants and allowances depend on your family's income. Others depend on whether your child has other needs in addition to a sight problem.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
DLA is extra money if your child has extra care needs and /or problems with walking. It is non-means tested (it's the same whatever your income), tax free and does not affect any other allowances you receive for your child.
DLA is made up of two components. One part is called Care and the other is called Mobility, and each of these components is paid at a different rate.
The two components are:
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the Care Component, paid on Lower, Middle or Higher Rate according to the care needs of the child. The Mobility Component is paid at just two different rates, a Lower or Higher Rate, according to your child's mobility.
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the Mobility part of the allowance, which is only available to children once they are three years old. However, if you've got a child with additional needs who already receives DLA, you may be invited to apply three months before their third birthday.
The forms are long and can be rather daunting, so you might want to ask someone to help fill them in (see Getting help and advice, below). It's also a really good idea to photocopy the completed forms before you return them. Forms can go missing and often parents have to reapply after a period of time.
Getting DLA often opens doors to further information and services. Telephone Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00 or contact your local disability benefits centre to get claim forms.
More information on Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Personal Independence Payment
If your child is turning 16 find out about the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit being introduced by the government. PIP will replace DLA for people aged 16 to 64.
Carer's Allowance
If you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone who is getting, or waiting to hear about, DLA at the middle or higher rate for personal care, you can apply for the Carer's Allowance. There are other qualifying criteria, for example income.
For more information, telephone:
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Carers Allowance Unit: 01253 85 61 23
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Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00.
Tax Credits
For general information, see Tax Credit.
Child Tax Credit is payable to families with dependent children whether the claimant is working or not. Nine out of ten families with children qualify and this is paid in addition to Child Benefit.
Working Tax Credit is for people working at least 16 hours a week. This provides a top-up to wages for those on a low income. There is also a specific childcare element of Working Tax Credit, which helps working parents with the cost of registered childcare.
Further information on tax credits or to get a claim form, telephone RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
Find out more about benefits for children.
Respite (getting a break)
If your child has additional needs, for example physical or learning needs, as well as a sight problem, you may be entitled to practical help with caring. Our information on respite or shared care gives more information.
Crossroads
Crossroads is an organisation that provides a service in your home. They have trained people who can offer practical help, even if your child has complex health needs. You will probably need to ask for a referral from a social worker. To find a local service, telephone Crossroads: 0845 450 0350.
Direct payments
The local authority may offer you direct payments, that is a cash payment instead of a service, so that you can buy your own respite support or childcare. There are restrictions on what the money can be used for, and each local authority has its own procedure for how it allocates direct payments. Again, you will need a referral to a social worker.
Download the parents guide to direct payments from the DoH website.
If you want to talk to a social worker, contact your local social care and health office. Alternatively, a professional who knows you and your child well can make a referral for you to a social worker. To find out where your local social care and health office is, telephone your local council.
Certification /Registration as blind or partially sighted
There are two categories of registration: "severely sight impaired /blind" and "sight impaired /partially sighted". Being registered as severely sight impaired /blind does not necessarily mean that you are totally without sight or will lose all your sight in the future.
There have been recent changes to the way registration works, so you may also hear this referred to as notification or certification.
Getting a referral letter
Standard referral letters can be issued by high street opticians and hospital eye clinics to request help for you from social services. When you visit your high street optician, they will be able to give you a referral letter about your child called 'Letter of Vision Impairment'. You can fill this in yourself and send it to your local Social Services.
This letter gives you the chance to give them information about your circumstances, and any difficulties or anxieties caused by your child's sight problem. You can also use this to ask for information about the services available to you.
If you are not offered such a letter by your optician, or if you choose not to send it in to your local social services at this stage, you will have another opportunity to be referred for help from the hospital eye service. Hospital eye clinic staff can, with your consent, fill in a form called 'Referral of Vision Impaired Patient'. This form will tell social services about your child's sight problem and request an assessment of your need for support.
If your child's sight is reduced to a certain level, he or she may be eligible to be registered with your local social services department. The eye specialist must complete the form 'Certificate of Vision Impairment' to notify social services that your child is eligible to be registered either "severely sight impaired /blind" or "sight impaired /partially sighted".
Why bother with registration?
Registration is optional but it can make it easier to get support and practical help. Telephone the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for more information or see Registration - the benefits.
Transport
Parking (Blue Badges)
Blue Badges help people who have difficulty accessing community facilities because of the distance they have to walk. They allow you to park in disabled parking bays which are closer to shops and public buildings.
You don't have to own a vehicle to get a badge, as the badge is personal to you. It can be used in any vehicle in which you are traveling, either as driver or passenger. Blue Badges may be provided for children over the age of two years if they:
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receive the higher rate Mobility Component of DLA
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are registered blind
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or have severe difficulty walking.
For more information, contact your local council's social care and health office.
Exemption from road tax
You can apply for a Certificate for Exemption from Road Tax if you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA (not for children under three).
Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate
Disability and Carers Service
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill
Blackpool FY2 0YE
Tel: 08457 12 34 56
Motability
Motability is a scheme that helps you lease or buy a car if you receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of DLA (not for children under three).
Motability
Goodman House
Station Approach
Harlow
Essex
CM20 2ET
Tel: 0845 4564 566
TV license fee reduction of 50 per cent
This applies if you have a person who is registered severely sight impaired /blind in your household.
Find out more from the TV license concession from our Helpline (0303 123 9999 / helpline@rnib.org.uk) or see TV License.
Other grants
In addition to the allowances mentioned above, you can apply to grant-making organisations for financial help with the cost of toys, equipment, holidays or household items that benefit the child and/or make caring easier.
Some grants are funded by the government. Others are funded by charitable trusts and voluntary organisations. Some grants are one-off payments whereas with others you can apply each year.
The Directory of Social Change publishes "A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need" - get a copy from your local library or from the Directory of Social Change website.
Carers Grant
This is a "limited" central government grant to support carers in getting a break. It may provide grants for such things as holidays, play equipment, toys and play schemes.
Contact your local disabled children's team, a carers' organisation in your area, or see NHS Direct - Carers direct or Carers UK.
Family Fund Trust
The Family Fund gives grants to lower income families with severely disabled children for things that make life easier and more enjoyable. They can provide help with such things as holidays, washing machines, driving lessons, computers and hospital visiting costs. Parents or carers can apply if their child is 16 years or under in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, or 17 or under in Wales.
Family Fund Trust
PO Box 50
York
YO1 9ZX
Tel: 0845 130 4542
Princess Royal Trust for Carers - Carers Fund
A maximum grant of £200 per year to benefit carers. This might be used for such things as days out, a holiday or a pampering day. Applications need to be made through a local Carers Centre.
Find out more - The Princess Royal Trust for Carers - Carers Fund
Grants from RNIB
To qualify, you need to be registered blind or partially sighted and be on a low income. Priority is given for items which are essential for day to day living. Contact RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 or see Grants from RNIB.
More information
Useful publications
An Introduction to Benefits and other Financial Help" (free to parents) from:
Contact a Family
Somerville House
20 -22 Harborne Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3AA
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Information on 'Disability Living Allowance (Children) for blind and partially sighted children (free to parents) from
Action for Blind People
14 - 16 Verney Road
London
SE16 3DZ
Tel: 020 7635 4800
Claiming Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 on physical health grounds or mental health grounds (available at a charge) is an excellent and very thorough guide is available from Benefits and Work.
Getting help and advice