Benefits for Disabled Children & Families

What is the Disability Access Fund?

The Disability Access Fund (DAF) is part of the early years national funding formula introduced in April 2017. The DAF provides additional funding to support early years providers make reasonable adjustments to enable children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) access their funded early years entitlement hours.

The Disability Access Fund is £615 per year for eligible children. Funding will be paid per year directly to one childcare provider nominated by the parent. The DAF is not based on an hourly rate and is an additional entitlement payable as a lump sum.

What are the eligibility criteria?

• The child is in receipt of the three and four year old early education funding
• The child is not attending a reception class in a primary or infant school/academy
• The child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Additional criteria

• Children do not need to take up all of their early education funded hours to be able to access the DAF
• If a child is accessing their early education entitlement at more than one provider, the parent must nominate which provider will receive the DAF payment – the payment cannot be split
• The childcare provider will decide how the Disability Access Fund will be spent in partnership with the parent
• Funding cannot be used to pay for additional hours
• Once funding for the year is paid, it will not be reclaimed even if the child leaves the setting
• If a child receiving DAF moves from one setting to another within a financial year, the new setting is not eligible to receive any Disability Access Funding for this child within the same financial year (1st April to 31st March).

Identifying eligible children

Early years providers are ultimately responsible for identifying eligible children. Providers should speak to parents in order to find out if their child is eligible for the DAF.

Providers must ensure parents complete the DAF declaration which can be found in the Parent and Provider Agreement for Free Entitlement Hours for Eligible 2, 3 and 4 Year Old Children, and the DAF application form.

Providers must also gain evidence that the child is in receipt of DLA). This information must then be shared with Nottingham City Council with parental consent.

For further information go to: Early Years SEND Fund webpage

The Early Years SEND Fund is available to all Private, Voluntary, Community and Independent Ofsted Registered Childcare Providers and schools to support the inclusion of SEND children attending Nottingham City Early Years Settings.

The Early Years SEND Fund supports;

• Access for disabled children aged 3 and 4 years whilst accessing their free entitlement to a Nursery Education Funded place
• Access for disabled children who are 2 years of age whilst accessing their free entitlement to a funded education place

The fund does not does not support the costs of short breaks or respite care. The Guidance and Application for the EY SEND Fund is available to download below.

For further information go to: Early Years SEND Fund webpage

Physio/Occupational Therapists are able to apply to the Local Authority for high cost equipment in order to support the inclusion of a disabled child into a childcare setting. To be eligible to apply, the child must be accessing early education funded provision at the childcare setting.

For further information go to: Early Years SEND Fund webpage

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

• is under 16
• has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.

The DLA rate is between £23.20 and £148.85 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.

For further information go to: Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children webpage

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who may need help with daily activities or getting around because of a long-term illness or disability.

PIP has two parts - a daily living component and a mobility component.

PIP has replaced Disability Living Allowance for anyone making a new claim.

Further information can be found on the Governement website Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You may get a disabled child element for each child or young person you are responsible for if you receive Disability Living Allowance. You may get a severely disabled child element for each child or young person you are responsible for if you receive the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for them.

Further information can be found on the Governement website Child Tax Credit

You could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.

Further information can be found on the Governement website Carer's Allowance

If you or any member of your household is disabled and your home has at least one of the following features:

• A second bathroom or kitchen required for meeting the needs of the disabled person
• A room set aside to provide specific facilities for the disabled person
• Sufficient room for the disabled person to use their wheelchair indoors
• All the residents who are mentally impaired

You may qualify for a reduction in your Council Tax bill.

If you qualify for a reduction, the amount of Council Tax payable will be based on the band below the one in which your property has been placed.

Even if your home is in Band A, the lowest band, you may still qualify for a reduction.

How to apply for a Discount, Exemption or Reduction for people with disabilities

If you want to apply for a discount or exemption or want more information contact the Council Tax Office. If you wish to have a discount or exemption backdated you may be required to provide evidence to show you were entitled.

Applications for a reduction for people with disabilities can be made by completing a form.

If you need more information on discounts, exemptions or reduction for disabilities please contact the Council Tax Office