Disability Living Allowance
This is the main source of financial support if you are living with a child with a disability. They may qualify if they have a physical disability or special educational needs, and need more help or supervision than other children of the same age.
DLA has two components: care (up to £81.30 a week) which you can claim from when your child is three months old, and mobility (up to £56.75 a week) which you can usually claim from three years.
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
3 and 4 year olds will be eligible for DAF if they meet the following criteria:
- The child is in receipt of child Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and;
- The child is accessing their entitlement to free early learning and childcare
DAF is payable as a lump sum once a year. If a child in receipt of DAF is attending more than one setting, parents or carers will be asked to nominate the setting to receive the funding. Any equipment or resources purchased from the DAF will remain the property of the setting.
Please note: 4 year olds in Reception class are not eligible for DAF funding.
To find the application form please visit the Early Years Funding Page :
Early years funding - Cambridgeshire County Council
The disabled child element of Child Tax Credit
If you are claiming DLA for your child, you may also be able to claim the disabled child element of Child Tax Credit. There are two elements: the disabled child element, which is £2100 per year for each child claiming DLA, or who is registered blind, and the severely disabled child element, an additional £1255 per year for each child who is claiming the highest rate care component of DLA. For more information go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits
If your child needs extra support, your childcare provider may be able to apply for additional funding from the Local Authority.
Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF)
Every local authority must have a SEN Inclusion Fund (SENIF) to support early years providers in meeting the needs of individual children with SEN.
In Cambridgeshire, early years and childcare providers who are registered to take Early Years Funding can apply for SENIF for children who are on the Early Support Pathway/known to Sensory Support Services, require provision more than that which is ordinarily available, and one of the following:
- Are in receipt of early years funding (including funded twos and children from 9-months-old in receipt of the early years funding expanded entitlement)
- Delayed school entry.
Detailed Information on SENIF can be found on Learn Together Cambridgeshire
Childcare Access Funding
Childcare Access Funding is intended to support children (aged 4 to 14+) with the very highest levels of needs at out of school hours childcare, including before and after school clubs, holiday schemes and care with childminders.
Applications for funding are made by the setting, following consultation and agreement with you and with help and support from the people working with you and your child.
How we can help
Further information and advice about SEN Inclusion Fund (SENIF) and Childcare Access Funding is available from the Early Years SEND team ey.send@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
