BROMLEY SEND LOCAL OFFER
Money and finances
Caring for a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can bring extra costs, questions and worries about money.
This page brings together clear information about benefits, financial support and practical help, and shows where you can get advice when you need it.
Whether you’re just starting out or planning for the future, you’ll find support for each stage of your family’s journey.
Early years (birth to 5)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
DLA is a benefit to help with the extra costs of caring for a child under 16 who needs more help than other children of the same age. It has two parts:- Care component
- Mobility component
Help with childcare and early years costs
- Universal Credit: Some families may be able to get help with childcare costs through Universal Credit.
Find out more about Universal Credit.
- Disability Access Fund (DAF): If your child has a disability or special educational need (SEND), your early years provider may be able to receive additional funding through the Disability Access Fund (DAF). This funding helps providers make adjustments and put support in place so children can fully access their early years education.
Find out more about the Disability Access Fund.
- Early years SEND funding: Some nurseries and childcare settings can receive extra funding to help support children with SEND. The setting applies for this funding on your child’s behalf. They will talk with you about your child’s needs and explain what support they plan to put in place. You do not need to apply for this funding yourself. The setting and the Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) take care of this process.
School Age (5 to 16)
SEN support, EHCPs and Funding
Schools receive funding to meet the needs of most children with SEND as part of their everyday provision. Some children need additional support through an Eeducation, Health and Care Plan (often referred to as an EHCP).
Support may include:
- Extra help in school
- Specialist interventions
- Equipment or adaptations
In some cases, families may be offered:
- Personal budgets
- Direct payments
These can offer more flexibility in how agreed support is arranged.
Find out more about personal budgets and direct payments.
Free School Meals
Some children with SEND are entitled to free school meals, including those whose families receive certain benefits.
Find out more about Free School Meals.
Travel schemes, passes and help with getting around
Children and young people with SEND may be eligible for:
- Home‑to‑school transport
- Travel training
- Concessionary travel schemes
- Support with travel costs
Support for families and carers (all ages)
Short breaks
Short breaks give children with SEND opportunities to enjoy activities and give families time to rest.
In Bromley, short breaks include:
- Universal services
- Targeted SEND provision
- Specialist support for children and young people with complex needs
Short breaks may be funded through:
- Commissioned services
- Personal budgets
- Direct payments
Find out more about short breaks in Bromley.
Personal budgets and direct payments
You may be able to use a personal budget or direct payment to arrange this support, giving you more choice about the short breaks or support you use.
Housing, Equipment and Home Support
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
A DFG can help pay for adaptations to your home, such as:
- Ramps
- Accessible bathrooms
- Widened doorways
Find out more about Disabled Facilities Grant.
Blue Badge Scheme
A Blue Badge can help if a child or young person has difficulty walking or needs to stay close to a vehicle for safety.
Find out more about the Blue Badge scheme.
Personal budgets and direct payments
In some cases, you may be able to use a personal budget or direct payment to help meet home support needs, giving you more choice about how support is arranged.
Young People and Preparing for Adulthood (16 to 25)
Moving from DLA to PIP
From age 16, young people usually move from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
PIP looks at:
- How a young person’s condition affects daily life
- Their ability to travel and be independent
Education and training support
Young people with SEND may be able to access:
- 16–19 Bursary Fund
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) (for higher education)
Appointees and Deputies
If a young person is unable to manage their benefits:
- An appointee can manage benefits on their behalf
- A deputy may be appointed where there are wider decision‑making needs
Find out more about Appointees and deputies.
Personal budgets and direct payments
You may be able to use a personal budget or direct payment to help arrange support as your young person moves into adulthood, giving them more choice about how their support is managed.
Help with other costs
As well as benefits like DLA, PIP and Universal Credit, there are other types of financial help that may be relevant at different stages.
Childcare costs
If you are working, studying or training, you may be able to get help with childcare costs, including if your child has SEND.
Support may include:
- Help with childcare costs through Universal Credit
- Support linked to existing working tax credit claims
- Funded early education hours, where appropriate
Childcare providers may also receive additional funding to help include children with SEND. This is arranged by the setting and does not need to be applied for by parents.
Find out more about childcare costs.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
ESA is a benefit for people whose disability or health condition affects their ability to work.
Young people with SEND aged 16 or over may be able to claim ESA if:
- They have limited capability for work
- They meet the eligibility criteria
ESA may be paid on its own or alongside other benefits, depending on circumstances.
Find out more about Employment and Support Allowance.
Disability Premiums
Some benefits include extra amounts, called disability premiums, if you or your child is disabled.
These are usually added automatically, but mistakes can happen. Advice services can help check that you are receiving the correct amount.
Find out more about Disability Premiums.
Access to Work
Access to Work is support for disabled people aged 16+ who are:
- In paid work
- Starting a new job
- On an apprenticeship
- Self‑employed
It can help pay for:
- Equipment or adaptations
- Travel to work (if public transport is difficult)
- A support worker or job coach
Find out more about Access to Work.
Help with travel costs
You may be able to get help with travel costs if you or your child has SEND.
Find out more about travel schemes and passes.
Need help understanding what applies to you?
You don’t need to work this out on your own. Free, confidential advice is available to help you.
Personal budgets and direct payments
Help with money worries and cost of living
If you are struggling financially, help is available.
Cost of Living Support
Support may include:
- Household Support Fund
- Discretionary Housing Payments
- Grants and emergency support
Free, local advice and support
Bromley Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS)
Free, confidential advice for families of children and young people with SEND (0 to 25).
Phone: 020 8461 7630
Web: bromleyiass.org.uk/
Bromley Well Advice Service
Support with:
- Benefits
- Debt
- Form filling
- Budgeting
Phone: 0808 278 7898
Useful links and organisations
Bromley Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum (BCFF): Brings together charities and voluntary groups to better support children, young people and families.
Find out more at the BCFF website.
Bromley Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF): Provides free holiday activities and meals for eligible children aged 5-16 years old.
Find out more about the Bromley HAF programmes.
Bromley Mencap: Provides free advice and practical support for disabled people, families and carers including help with money worries and cost‑of‑living support.
Find out more about Bromley Mencap services.
HomeStart Bromley: Offers support, friendship and practical help to families with young children.
Visit HomeStart Bromley.
Look Ahead: Provides tailored support, care and housing services for people with a wide range of needs.
Visit Look Ahead.
Contact: Offers information, advice and support for families with disabled children, including benefits advice.
Visit Contact.org.uk.
Family Fund: Provides grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children.
Visit the Family Fund.
Further information
For wider advice and support for residents, visit Bromley Council’s Support Residents webpage.