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Financial strain on parents ‘overwhelming’
Parents often pay more in childcare costs than they spend on their monthly mortgage. However the financial strain on parents of disabled children can be even more overwhelming. As well as standard nursery fees, families often have to fork out more for specialised care, therapeutic care and accessible childcare.
Nearly two-thirds of parent carers, according to a survey by Contact a Family, say they or a partner have given up paid work so they could care for their disabled child. Nearly a quarter are on Universal Credit. A third have gone without heating and food for themselves.
Families of disabled children used to be able to access respite care and therapeutic services. However cutbacks to local authority budgets have seen these services scaled back.
Parents face higher costs for disabled children
Trained staff
Children with disabilities often need specialist one-to-one support from trained staff, who can administer medication and give behavioural or emotional support. These staff are more expensive. Families of disabled children face childcare costs of 66% more for a disabled child than a non-disabled child, according to the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign.
Fewer childcare options
Many nurseries do not have the resources or accessible facilities to care for children with disabilities. This gives families fewer options when it comes to choosing a nursery. Thirty-three per cent of local authorities say they have enough childcare places for children under five. But only 18% say they have enough childcare places for disabled children, according to the Family and Childcare Trust.
Therapeutic Support
Disabled children often need access to therapeutic services such as physical therapy to help with their development and speech therapy. Waiting lists on the NHS can be long so some families are forced to pay for private healthcare.
Transport
Parents are often forced to drive further to take their child to a nursery that is right for them as they will have less choice. They will also often need an accessible vehicle.
What help can you get with childcare costs for a disabled child?
With families of disabled children facing higher childcare costs and less choice, it is not surprising many parents are forced to leave their jobs to care for their child or drastically cut down their working hours. The charity Contact found over three-quarters of mums with disabled children had reduced their hours so they could care for their child.
Financial help
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)for children
DLA for children is to help parents and guardians with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has mobility issues or needs more care than a child of the same age without a disability.
The Disability Living Allowance for children rate is between £28.70 and £184.30 a week depending on how much support the child needs.
DLA is not just for children with physical disabilities. It is also for children with mental health issues, behavioural issues and learning disabilities.
The Disability Living Allowance is made up of mobility and care components. The mobility part is only given to children over the age of three. DLA for children is not means tested and is a tax-free benefit.
If you are eligible for DLA, it may boost other benefits you receive or you may be able to get new benefits such as housing benefit. If you live in Scotland you should apply for Child Disability Payment (CDP) instead.
Tax-Free Childcare
Working parents of disabled children can claim up to £4,000 to help them with childcare costs. Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for childcare providers that are signed up to the scheme. Parents can use it to pay for extra childcare hours. You can also give the money to your childcare provider so they can purchase specialist equipment that your child needs
Universal Credit
If you are eligible for Universal Credit you can also get extra money if any of your children are disabled. You can get £158.76 a month if your child is disabled. If your child is severely disabled you can get £495.87 a month.
Carer’s Allowance
You could get up to £83.30 a week if you spend 35 hours or more a week caring for your child and you earn less than £196 a week. Your child also has to qualify for the middle or highest care rate of DLA.
15 hours free childcare
All children in England aged nine months and over up to school age can get 15 hours free childcare a week. Different free childcare schemes operate in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
30 hours free childcare
Working parents in England of children aged three and four can get 30 hours free childcare a week. From September 2025, this is being extended to children from the age of nine months. There are different schemes offering free childcare in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Disabled Facilities Grant
Disabled children under the age of 18 can get this grant to help pay for adaptations to their home such as ramps, widening doorways or building a downstairs bedroom. It is not means tested so the parents’ income is not taken into account. You have to apply to your local council for the grant.
Help with travel costs
If your child is eligible for the higher mobility rate of DLA, you may be exempt from paying road tax and you may be able to get a Blue Badge enabling you to park closer to your destination.
Family Fund grant
If you have a disabled or seriously ill child and have a certain income level you may be able to get a Family Fund grant. This grant can be used to pay for items such as furniture and household products, clothing, sensory toys, family breaks and days out.
Grants for families
There are lots of organisations that give grants for disabled children in the UK. https://www.wellchild.org.uk/get-support/information-hub/grants-for-families/
Support from your council
You can get a child’s care needs assessment to see if you can get any extra help. In addition, as a carer you can get a free assessment to see how you are coping with caring for your child and how it is impacting on your health and work. They may be able to give you help with housework, respite breaks from caring and support for your own health like membership of a gym. You may get help with home adaptations and support with transport
