Benefits for Disabled Children & Families - Nottingham City

This Fund provides additional funding to support early years providers in making reasonable adjustments to enable children with SEND to access their early years entitlement places.

From 1st April 2026, the DAF rate will be £975 per year for eligible children from 9 months to 4 years. Funding will be paid per year as a lump sum directly to one childcare provider, nominated by the parent.

To be eligible for DAF, the child must;

• Be in receipt of an Early Years Entitlement place aged 9 months to 5 years .
• Be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Not be attending a Reception class at a School or Academy

Additional criteria information for DAF applications:

• Children do not need to take up all of their early years entitlement hours to be able to access the DAF
• If a child is accessing their early years entitlement at more than one provider, the parent must nominate which provider will receive the DAF payment – the payment cannot be split between providers
• The childcare provider will decide how the DAF will be spent, in partnership with the parent
• Funding cannot be used to pay for additional hours
• Once funding for the year has been paid, it will not be reclaimed, even if the child leaves the setting
• If a child receiving DAF moves from one setting to another within a financial year, the new setting is not eligible to receive any DAF for this child until the anniversary of the previous claim.

Identifying eligible children

Early years providers are ultimately responsible for identifying eligible children. Providers should speak to parents in order to find out if their child is eligible for the DAF.

Providers must ensure parents complete the DAF declaration which can be found in the Parent and Provider Agreement for Free Entitlement Hours for Eligible Children aged 9 months to 5 years, and the DAF application form.

Providers must also gain evidence that the child is in receipt of DLA. This information must then be shared with Nottingham City Council with parental consent.

For further information go to: Early Years - Nottingham City Council

The Early Years SEND Fund is available to all Private, Voluntary, Community and Independent Ofsted Registered Childcare Providers and schools to support the inclusion of SEND children attending Nottingham City Early Years Settings.

The Early Years SEND Fund supports;

• Access for disabled children aged between 9 months and 5 years whilst accessing their early years entitlement place.

The fund does not does not support the costs of short breaks or respite care. The Guidance and Application for the EY SEND Fund is available to download below.

For further information go to: Early Years - Nottingham City Council

High Cost Equipment

Physio/Occupational Therapists are able to apply to the Local Authority for high cost equipment in order to support the inclusion of a disabled child into a childcare setting. To be eligible to apply, the child must be accessing early education funded provision at the childcare setting.

For further information go to: Early Years - Nottingham City Council

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

• is under 16
• has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.

The DLA rate is between £28.70 and £184.30 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

• a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

Further information can be found on the Governement website Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (opens in new tab)

How it works

You could get £81.90 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.

If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.

Further information can be found on the Governement website Carer's Allowance (opens in new tab)

If you or any member of your household is disabled and your home has at least one of the following features:

• A second bathroom or kitchen required for meeting the needs of the disabled person
• A room set aside to provide specific facilities for the disabled person
• Sufficient room for the disabled person to use their wheelchair indoors

You may qualify for a reduction in your Council Tax bill.

If you qualify for a reduction, the amount of Council Tax payable will be based on the band below the one in which your property has been placed.

Even if your home is in Band A, the lowest band, you may still qualify for a reduction.

If you need more information on discounts, exemptions or reduction for disabilities please contact the Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions - Nottingham City Council