CP families are often entitled to more support than they realise. A diagnosis on its own is never the test — it is always about needs, care and supervision. Use this as a checklist.
| Support / Benefit | What It Is | Direction for CP Families | Source URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| for children | Main disability benefit for children under 16 in England/Wales. Based on care and/or mobility needs, not diagnosis alone. | Apply when child needs substantially more help, supervision, care or mobility support than a child of same age. | https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children |
| care component | For extra care, supervision or attention needs during day and/or night. | Describe dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, medication, pain, night waking, seizures, behaviour caused by pain/fatigue, supervision. | https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children |
| mobility component | For children with walking/getting around difficulties. Higher mobility has specific criteria; lower mobility can relate to guidance/supervision outdoors. | A child can still walk and have significant mobility needs due to pain, unsafe walking, falls, fatigue, distance limits, danger awareness or severe discomfort. | https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/before-you-claim-dla/check-if-you-can-get-dla/ |
| no diagnosis rule | Citizens Advice states a formal diagnosis is not required, though it can help. | Use needs-based evidence and professional letters even if still under assessment. | https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/disability-living-allowance/before-you-claim-dla/check-if-you-can-get-dla/ |
| Carer's Allowance | May be available if caring for a disabled person receiving qualifying benefit and care threshold/income rules are met. | Check with benefits calculator before claiming because it can affect other benefits. | https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance |
| Universal Credit disabled child element | May increase UC if child receives //CDP. | Report award to UC immediately and ask for disabled child element/backdating where applicable. | https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit |
| from age 16 | Personal Independence Payment can help with extra costs for people aged 16+ with long-term condition/disability and daily living or mobility difficulties. | Prepare transition evidence before 16. is assessed differently from . | https://www.gov.uk/pip |
| Motability Scheme | Can lease a car if child aged 3+ receives higher rate mobility or adult receives enhanced mobility and has enough award length. | Useful for CP where mobility, equipment transport, hospital trips and fatigue affect family travel. | https://www.gov.uk/help-for-disabled-child/motability-scheme |
| Disabled Facilities Grant | Council grant for home adaptations such as ramps, widened doors, stairlift, level-access shower, garden access or downstairs facilities. | Ask /social care for assessment before applying. DFG does not affect benefits. | https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants |
| Family Fund | Grants and services for low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children/young people, subject to eligibility. | Can help with items like family breaks, appliances, digital items, sensory/outdoor equipment depending on scheme. | https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/apply-for-a-grant/ |
| Turn2us | Benefits calculator and grants search. | Use to check benefit entitlement and possible grants. | https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support |
| Council support | Local councils can provide support for disabled children, including short breaks, care at home, aids/adaptations and financial help in some situations. | Ask local authority for disabled children's assessment and Local Offer. | https://www.gov.uk/help-for-disabled-child |
| Children's Continuing Care | For under-18s with complex health needs that cannot be met by existing universal/specialist services alone. | Ask paediatrician, community nurse or ICB about assessment if needs are complex and health-led. | https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/health-medical-information/secondary-care/continuing-care/ |
| Continuing Healthcare adults | Some adults with long-term complex health needs qualify for -funded health and social care outside hospital. | Important transition/adulthood page. | https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/ |
Sources: , NICE (NG62 & NG119), Scope, Contact, GOV.UK, , Citizens Advice. Always check linked organisations for the latest information.