Thank you for contacting me about the Child Disability Addition under Universal Credit (UC). I recognise how much more challenging the last 2 years may have been for families like yours and how much additional pressure was put on parent carers.
The UC disabled child addition (DCA) is intended to provide extra support to low-income families with a disabled child. To clarify, there are two rates of monthly DCA payments a parent with a disabled or severely disabled child is entitled to under UC. Children who receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component at the middle or lower rate, the DLA mobility component at either rate of those rates, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the standard daily living rate, or PIP at the standard or enhanced mobility rate will receive £128.89. Children who receive DLA or PIP at the highest rate, or are certified blind will receive £402.41. A child or young person in receipt of DLA or PIP will be eligible for support of up to £152.15 a week, on top of their family’s Universal Credit entitlement.
Tax-Free Childcare helps around 2 million families with the cost of childcare. Everyone who earns at least £120 per week on average, but does not exceed £100,000 per annum, can apply for the scheme. Working parents are able to apply via an online childcare account, and access up to £2,000 per child, or £4,000 for disabled children. Temporary changes have been made to the eligibility criteria during coronavirus, and more information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-get-tax-free-childcare-and-30-hours-free-childcare-during-coronavirus-covid-19.
The Government is committed to building back fairer by delivering the National Disability Strategy ensuring we improve the everyday lives of disabled people and their families across jobs, housing, transport, education, shopping, culture, justice, public services, and data and evidence.
I hope this assures you that there is wide range of support in place for parents of children with disabilities. If there are specific issues affecting you and your family and you think there is anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.