How to use our FAQs tool
Our FAQs are divided into the most popular topics parents ask about.
Choose the topic you’re interested in, and keep narrowing down until you see a list of questions. Clicking on the question you’re interested in will take you to the section of our site where you’ll find the answer.
Mobile and tablet users
Slide the list of topics across the screen from left to right to find the topic you’re interested in.
I want some advice about…
Benefits & tax credits
Find out more:
- Can my child get Disability Living Allowance even though I’m working?
- Does my child need to have a diagnosis or be a certain age to claim DLA?
- How much Disability Living Allowance will my child get?
- How do I claim Disability Living Allowance?
- I’ve been turned down for Disability Living Allowance – can I appeal this decision?
- Can I get help completing the form?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Personal independence payment & other benefits at 16
Find out more:
- What is Personal Independence Payment?
- My child is turning 16 – do they have to claim Personal Independence Payment?
- How is a claim for Personal Independence made?
- How much Personal Independence Payment will be child get?
- How does Personal Independence Payment impact my other benefits?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Can I continue to get Child Benefit and other payments for my child?
- When will the benefits I get for a dependent child stop?
- Can my child choose to claim benefits in their own right as a disabled adult?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Who will be paid the benefits for my child once they turn 16?
- What is an appointee and how do I become one?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
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- Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
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- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- I provide a lot of care to my child – can I qualify for Carer’s Allowance?
- Can I still get Carer’s Allowance if I work?
- Can I study and still get Carer’s Allowance?
- How much Carer’s Allowance will I receive?
- If I claim Carer’s Allowance will it have an affect on other benefits I claim?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Unhappy with a benefits decision
Find out more:
- How do I challenge a decision about a Department for Work & Pensions benefit?
- Can my award go down if I ask for it to be changed?
- How do I challenge a decision about an HMRC benefit?
- Can I challenge a local authority benefits decision about Housing Benefit or Council Tax?
- How can I prepare for an appeal hearing?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What can I make a complaint about?
- How do I complain about the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)?
- How do I complain about HMRC?
- Can I complain about my local authority?
- Can I get my MP involved?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
Whether you want to challenge a benefits decision or complain about how a benefits claim has been handled, it is a good idea to try and get help from a local advice service that helps with benefits issues.
You can search for local benefits advisers by using the Turn2Us find an adviser tool.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & financial help homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Find out more:
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Changes in circumstances
Find out more:
- I’m thinking of moving into work. Does this mean that all my benefits will stop?
- I need to stop working to care for my child. Can I get benefits as a carer?
- I work part time and claim Carer’s Allowance. Do I need to inform them if my earnings increase?
- I am currently out of work and get Child Tax Credit. I have been offered some work – will I start to get some Working Tax Credit?
- Is Universal Credit only paid to people who are not working?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- My child is on the lower rates of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) but they now need a lot more extra care. Can I get their award increased?
- My child’s needs have worsened and I think my child should be on a higher rate of DLA. I’m thinking about asking for their case to be looked at again but am worried that their benefit might be cut instead. Can this happen?
- My child’s behaviour has improved due to medication. Will their DLA be affected?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Will I still receive benefits if my child goes into a residential setting?
- Do I need to tell anyone about my child’s stays away from home?
- Do I get paid Disability Living Allowance (DLA) on the days my child is at home?
- My child has several short stays in respite throughout the year. Will this affect their DLA?
- I am on Universal Credit and have a disabled child. They might go to residential school. However, I’ve been told that they will no longer be included in my Universal Credit award if they are treated as having ‘looked after status’. Is this correct?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Benefits at 16 | Contact
Find out more:
- My daughter is about to turn 16. Will the Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit I get for her have to stop?
- My son is 17 and can’t currently attend his course because he is too unwell. Will the Child Benefit and tax credits payments I get for him have to stop?
- I’ve heard that I can continue to get Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for my 18 year old so long as he remains in ‘full-time non-advanced education’. What sorts of courses count?
- My daughter is 16 and still in education. Is it possible to claim Universal Credit for my daughter?
- Will I be worse off if my son starts to claim Universal Credit in his own right?
- My child is turns 16 later this year. Can I claim and receive Personal Independence Payment on their behalf as they struggle to deal with money?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Universal credit & what it's replacing
Find out more
- What benefits is Universal Credit replacing?
- When will I be expected to claim Universal Credit?
- How do I claim Universal Credit?
- How much Universal Credit can I get?
- Will I be worse off under Universal Credit?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What is Working Tax Credit?
- What is Child Tax Credit?
- Can tax credits help towards childcare costs?
- How much tax credits can I get?
- What if I’m asked to repay overpaid tax credits?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What other benefits is Universal Credit replacing?
- Can I still get help with mortgage interest?
- What other financial help can I get?
- How can I work out what benefits I can claim?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Help with rent, mortgage and council tax
Find out more:
- Am I eligible for a Council Tax reduction?
- What is the Council Tax Disability Reduction?
- Who qualifies for a Council Tax discount?
- Can I get help with rates in Northern Ireland?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- How do I get help to pay my rent?
- I’ve heard about bedroom tax – will I be affected?
- What happens if my disabled child is unable to share a bedroom?
- Can I get discretionary housing payments?
- What help can I get with my mortgage?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our benefits & tax credits homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
What is Child Disability Payment?
When is Child Disability Payment being introduced?
How will the introduction of the Child Disability Payment affect existing DLA claimants in Scotland?
How does Child Disability Payment differ from DLA?
How do I claim Child Disability Payment?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
My child's education
Extra help with educational needs
If you live in England
- What extra help could my child get in school?
- What if I have questions about how the school is supporting my child?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- How do I raise concerns about my child’s support?
- What help should the school be giving my child?
- How do I ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan?
- My child has an EHC plan. How can I use the annual review to get changes to their support?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- How do I prepare for my child to leave school?
- What support can my child get in college?
- What happens to Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans after my child turns 16?
- Getting transport to college.
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more
If you live in England
- What support can I get for my child in the early years?
- Can you give me advice on moving onto school?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- My child has an EHC plan:
- My child does not have an EHC plan:
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Questions about EHC plans
If you live in England
- What is an EHC plan?
- How do I ask for an EHC needs assessment?
- What is the EHC assessment process?
- How do I challenge an EHC assessment decision?
- How do I choose a school on an EHC plan?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
- How do I get a statement of special educational needs?
- What is the statutory assessment process?
- What if the local authority say no to a request?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- What’s in a draft EHC plan?
- What happens after I get a draft plan?
- Can I choose the school I want in my child’s EHC plan?
- What if I’m not happy with the final plan?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- What happens if I move to a new area?
- What if changes are needed to my child’s EHC plan?
- What happens to an EHC plan when my child moves to secondary school?
- When will my child’s EHC plan end?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage?utm_medium=faqs/.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- What happens in the annual review?
- How can I prepare for an annual review?
- How do I raise concerns about my child’s EHC plan outside of the review?
- What if I’m not happy with the outcome of an annual review?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Give our helpline a call on 0808 808 3555 and we can provide information or signpost you to alternative sources of advice. Find our Northern Ireland office details in the contact us section.
If you live in Scotland
Give our helpline a call on 0808 808 3555 and we can provide information or signpost you to alternative sources of advice. Find our Scotland office details in the contact us section.
If you live in Wales:
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage/?utm_medium=faqs/.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- What can I do if my child is refused an EHC assessment or EHC plan?
- What is the first step if the school or college isn’t meeting my child’s needs?
- How do I make a complaint about the school?
- When can I appeal to the SEND Tribunal?
- What if my child isn’t getting the support set out in the EHC plan?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Read our information about education in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Behaviour, attendance and equality
Find out more:
- How do I raise my concerns with the school?
- What can the school do to stop bullying?
- What can I do if the school won’t stop the bullying?
- How can I help my child deal with bullying?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England:
- What happens when a child is excluded?
- What can I do if I don’t agree with a fixed-term exclusion?
- What can I do if I don’t agree with a permanent exclusion?
- Is the school allowed to send my child home because of their behaviour?
- Can my child be sent home because of their special educational needs?
- Can the school exclude my disabled child from particular activities?
If you live in Northern Ireland
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
If you live in Wales
Visit SNAP Cymru for more information about the special education system in Wales.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- When can my child miss school for appointments?
- What help is there if my child cannot attend school?
- Is there help available on going back to school?
- How can I find out more about home education?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Can my child get reasonable adjustments in exams?
- The school says they have to treat my disabled child exactly like everyone else – is this true?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage?utm_medium=faqs/.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England
- What is my child’s right to school transport?
- Can my child get transport over 16?
- What can I do if my child is denied school transport?
- What if I don’t think my child’s transport is suitable?
- Can I challenge a local transport policy?
If you live in Northern Ireland
- What is my my child’s right to school transport in Northern Ireland
If you live in Scotland
- What is my my child’s right to school transport in Scotland
If you live in Wales
- What is my my child’s right to school transport in Wales
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our our education & learning homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Diagnosis & health services
Diagnosis
Find out more:
- How do I get a diagnosis for my child?
- What if I suspect a specific condition?
- Why is it taking a long time to get a diagnosis for my child?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our medical information and health homepages
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What can I do if I don’t agree with the diagnosis?
- What does it mean if my child doesn’t get a diagnosis?
- Can I make a complaint about long waiting times?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our medical information and health homepages
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What support is there if I don’t have a diagnosis?
- Can I claim benefits even if my child doesn’t have a diagnosis?
- Are there support groups for parents whose child doesn’t have a diagnosis?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our medical information and health homepages
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Where can I find information about my child’s condition?
- Is there a support group for my child’s condition?
- Can I talk to other parents about my child’s condition in your online community?
- What health services might my child need to use?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our medical information and health homepages
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- How can I get speech and language therapy for my child?
- What is the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS)?
- Can I get support for my child’s behaviour?
- How can I make a complaint about the health service my child has received?
- What health services might my child need to use?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our medical information and health homepages
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Support for my family
Local help
Find out more:
- How can I find local advice and support?
- Is there any local help to support my child’s education?
- Where is my local Carers Centre?
- How can I find local legal advice?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- How can I find out more about national and local support groups?
- Is there a support group for my child’s condition?
- I’ve heard about a parent carer forum – how can I get involved?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Care & support services
Find out more:
- What services can local authorities provide?
- How can I ask for my child’s needs to be assessed?
- Can I get my needs as a carer assessed?
- My local authority has refused my request for an assessment for my child. What can I do?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What is a short break?
- How do I get a short break?
- My local authority says I can’t have short breaks – can I challenge this?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What are personal budgets/direct payments and how can I get them?
- I was refused a personal budget – can I challenge this?
- Do I ever need to pay for services?
- What benefits and other financial help can I claim to help me pay for services?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- I am not happy with the services my child is receiving. Can I make a complaint?
- Can I challenge a decision not to assess my child’s needs?
- How can I find legal advice?
- Services for my child are being reduced – can I challenge this?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- How can I get an adaptations made to my home or garden?
- What equipment can I get to help my child?
- Can I get a grant to pay for equipment for my child?
- My child has hemiplegia – what equipment would help them?
- Visit our Fledglings shop for aids and equipment for children.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- My child is having difficulty meeting certain milestones. Do you have any advice?
- How can I get a diagnosis for my child?
- What are my options for finding affordable childcare?
- Will my daughter get education support in her nursery class? (England only)
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our health and medical information pages.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Can my child still get services when he or she is over 18 (England only)?
- Who is responsible for making decisions about my adult child’s support?
- Will my child have to pay for services when she is an adult?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our social care homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Preparing for adult life
Find out more:
- When should I start thinking about moving into adulthood and transition?
- Is there support to help me make a plan for moving into adulthood?
- As my child becomes an adult, how can I start to include them in decision-making?
- Do I need to take legal steps so that I can make key decisions for my child?
- How I can plan to ensure my daughter is cared for and supported after my death?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our preparing for adult life homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- What’s the best way to help my daughter start to think about money and budgeting?
- How will the benefits I claim for my child change when he turns 16?
- I’m worried as I don’t think my child can manage their benefits on their own. Can I manage this for them?
- Can I leave money for my child in a trust?
- Will my son have to pay for services he receives from the local authority (England only)?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our preparing for adult life homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England:
- How do can we find out more about local apprenticeships and other options for my disabled son?
- What support will my daughter get in further education?
- How can I get the local authority to agree to a specialist college?
- Where can I find local advice about education, health and social care as my child becomes an adult?
- My 16-year old is only being offered three days a week in college. What is he meant to do on the other two days?
- I’m really confused about how education and social care fit together for an 18-year old with an EHC plan – can you help?
- My son gets free transport to his school – what happens to this when he’s 16?
- I’ve been told that my daughter’s EHC plan will stop when she goes to university – will she still get support?
If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales:
Read our information about education in Wales.
Find out about the system of support for children with special educational needs in Northern Ireland on the NI Education Authority website or Senac (special educational needs advice centre).
In Scotland, the system of support for children with additional support needs is called additional support for learning. You can read more about it on the Enquire website.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our preparing for adult life homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
If you live in England:
- My child gets services from the local authority. How can I ensure she gets adult social care services?
- Will my daughter have to start paying for the services she receives?
- What health services will my son receive as he gets older?
If you live in Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland:
For information about social care, visit the Money Advice Service for advice in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, or:
For information about health, visit:
Scotland: www.nhs24.scot
Northern Ireland: www.hscni.net
Wales: www.wales.nhs.uk
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our preparing for adult life homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- My child is 16 and wants to live independently when he is 18. How do we find out about housing options?
- Does my child have a right to social housing ?
- My son has learning difficulties. What support is there to help him into employment?
- How will my daughter’s rights be protected in work and what extra support can she ask for?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our preparing for adult life homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Other financial help, work & childcare
Find out more:
- Can I apply for a grant to buy things my family needs?
- How can I search for a grant for my family?
- Can I get help paying for driving lessons?
- Can I get a Blue Badge to use disabled parking?
- Can I get help paying my energy and water bills?
- Is there help to pay for prescriptions, dental treatment and other NHS costs?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our money & debt homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.
Find out more:
- Can I still claim benefits if I go back into work?
- Can I take time off to look after my child?
- Do I have the right to ask for flexible working?
- Is there help available to pay for childcare?
- How can I find suitable childcare?
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
- Visit our work & childcare homepage.
- Get in touch with our helpline team.