Grants for Disabled Children

What help is available?

Raising a disabled or seriously ill child often means extra costs that other families do not face. Specialist equipment, adapted clothing, sensory toys and family breaks can all stretch a household budget. There are options available through charities and state benefits that may be able to help.

It is worth understanding the difference between grants and benefits. Charitable support may come as one-off awards for specific items or as equipment and services provided directly. Benefits such as Disability Living Allowance are regular payments from the government. You can receive both at the same time.

Charity funding is limited and demand is high. Grants may be able to help, but they are never guaranteed. Treat them as a useful option to explore rather than a certainty.

Grant Eligibility Finder

Tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application.

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Charitable grants and equipment schemes

Family Fund is one of the largest sources of support for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person. In England, the core scheme is branded Support for Families with Disabled Children. Grants can cover items such as white goods, bedding, clothing, sensory equipment, technology and family breaks. Eligibility is based on the level of support your child needs across several areas of daily life, not on having a particular diagnosis. You apply directly without needing a professional referral, though children in local authority care are not eligible. Different rules apply in each UK nation, so check the Family Fund website for details.

Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children is the UK's largest charitable provider of specialist equipment for disabled children. This includes buggies, wheelchairs, specialist beds, car seats and more. Applications require a supporting professional who has identified the specific piece of equipment needed. Newlife receives no government funding and cannot help every applicant. They also run an Emergency Equipment Loan service and a Nurse Helpline.

Caudwell Children provides essential equipment such as powered wheelchairs, specialised buggies, therapy tricycles, sensory equipment and sports equipment. They typically fund a proportion of the total cost rather than the full amount. The scheme is means tested based on household income and savings, and the child must have a long-term illness or disability with high additional support needs. You can apply online or by phone.

The Sequal Trust helps with communication aids such as Lightwriters, GridPads and eye-gaze technology. Applications need the support of the child's speech and language therapist.

Cerebra supports families of children with brain conditions. Its offering is mainly services and bespoke equipment rather than cash grants. This includes a Sleep Advice Service, the Cerebra Innovation Centre for custom adapted equipment, a toy and equipment library, and a Legal Entitlements and Problem Solving service.

For a broader search, Turn2us runs a free Grants Search tool that matches your circumstances to charitable funds across the UK. This can surface both national schemes and smaller local funds you might otherwise miss.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

State benefits to consider

Disability Living Allowance for children is a state benefit, not a grant. It helps with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child under 16 who needs more looking after than other children of the same age, or who has difficulty walking. It is not means tested, so your income and savings do not affect eligibility. There are two components: care and mobility. In Scotland, the equivalent benefit is Child Disability Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland.

Being awarded DLA can unlock additional support. It may mean you qualify for a disabled child element within Universal Credit, and the person caring for your child may become eligible for Carer's Allowance. Check GOV.UK for current eligibility rules.

How to approach applications

Start by using the Turn2us Grants Search to see which funds match your situation. For equipment, speak to any professionals already working with your child, as some schemes require their involvement.

• Gather evidence of your child's support needs and your household income.
• Check each charity's website for current eligibility rules and how to apply.
• Apply for DLA or Child Disability Payment alongside any grant applications.

Many charities and benefits assess the level of care and support your child needs rather than requiring a formal diagnosis. If you have not yet received a diagnosis, you may still qualify.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →