We outline what benefits you may be entitled to.

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How much health and social care help is possible for my child? This depends on an assessment of their individual needs and what support you need to care for them. It may also depend on the services available in your area.

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If you provide regular unpaid physical or emotional support to a family member, you are a carer. Your health and well-being is important.

There are a number of ways that carers can claim and receive financial and other support.

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These organisations give a wide range of information about the schemes and grants  available.  You may also want to sign up with your energy provider’s priority services register >.

• Citizen’s Advice:
  • Get help with the cost of living >
• Contact for Families with Disabled Children:  
  • Cost of living advice > 
• Scope: 
  • Help with bills and food > 
• GOV.UK: 
  • Help for household >
  • Cost of living support >
• Ofgem:  
  • Getting help if you can’t afford your energy bills >
• The Trussell Trust:
  • No one should go hungry- we’re here to help >
• Money Helper:
  • Help with bills and payments >
• Sense:  
  • Help with energy and food costs for disabled people >
• Baby Banks:
  • Free baby items such as nappies and equipment, and some give help for children aged up to 16 >
• Watersure >
  • To apply for the scheme, you must be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of school-age children. You also need to be on a water meter or be waiting to have one installed

Other useful organisations

• TaxAid > – a charity that helps people on low incomes when they get into difficulties with their tax affairs.
• Step Change > – a charity offering free online debt advice and support.

A number of charities provide grants. Who qualifies for a grant and what charities will fund varies. It may change depending on how big the fund is that they can give away.

See: Tab 15 – Funding for Equipment > for what information you will need to apply for a grant from a charity

See: Tab 8 – Wish Granting Charities >  for those we know of.

There may be other grant possibilities. Please SMA UK’s Support Team > to see if we can help you to find charities that may assist you.

Many parents find that one or both have to adjust their paid work commitments to manage their caring responsibilities. Our page Support for Carers > covers what rights you may have as well as other possible avenues of support.

England, Scotland and Wales – people pay Council Tax:

If your home has been adapted or has features that are needed because someone with a disability lives there, you could get a reduction on your Council Tax bill. For example, this could be because you have an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space to use a wheelchair indoors. If your home is eligible, your Council Tax will be reduced to the band below, or by one-sixth if you are in the lowest band.

There is no set test to decide who is eligible for this, so you will need to contact your local council > to find out more. They may ask you for a letter from your GP.

Council tax may be reduced for other reasons. See:

• Carers UK >  
• Contact >

Northern Ireland – people pay rates:

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with paying your rates through the Rate Relief Scheme . For Universal Credit claimants, help is through a rate rebate. See:

• Contact >