Benefits and grants

The 16-19 bursary fund is money the government has given to local authorities, schools, colleges and other education and training providers (education institutions) to support students who need financial help to stay in education.

There are two types of 16-19 bursaries:

• bursaries for defined vulnerable groups of up to £1,200 a year
• discretionary bursaries which institutions award to meet individual needs, for example, help with the cost of transport, meals, books, and equipment.

For carers, find out how to get cash back in numerous high street stores as well as discounted rates on energy bills, insurance renewals and lifestyle activities such as the gym, the cinema, days out, travel and free legal advice.

If you receive certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for extra payments from the government to help with the rising cost of living. You won't need to apply as, if you are eligible, you will receive these extra payments in the same way you get your benefits.

If you're under 16, you can apply for a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to help you with day-to-day costs. 

You can apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if:

• you have a physical disability or a learning difficulty or mental health support needs.
• you need someone to support you, or you have difficulty walking and getting about.
• you have needed this support for at least three months and it's likely to continue for at least another six months. 

You can find out more about and apply on the GOV.UK website.  

Personal Independence Payment

From June 2013 Disability Living Allowance started to be replaced for people aged 16 and above by the new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). There can be no more new claims for Disability Living Allowance from working age adults. Instead they can claim Personal Independence Payment, described in further detail later on this page.

If you're over 16 and in education, you can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) to help you with day-to-day costs.

This may be a:

• learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD.
• mental health condition like anxiety or depression.
• physical disability, for example if you're partially sighted or have to use crutches.
• long-term health condition such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV.

If you're 16 or over and your illness or disability affects how much you can work, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This can include:

• financial support
• personalised help to get back into work

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they may well still be eligible in a post 16 education setting, such as a college of sixth form.

All mainstream schools receive money for special educational needs support and resources. Schools can decide how to spend this money. This is called “delegated” funding because it is given (delegated) to schools by local authorities or the Education Funding Agency from money they receive from central government.

High Needs Funding (HNF) is additional money that mainstream schools can apply for to help them to support your child. Schools can apply for HNF if it would cost more than £6,000 to meet a child’s needs. For more information on this, please talk to your school.

Personal Independence Payment is similar to Disability Living Allowance (described earlier on this page). It has a ‘daily living’ component and a mobility component. The claiming and assessment process is different. Most applicants have to undergo a medical assessment. It's important for a young person receive guidance on which aspects of PIP applies to them and how they can claim it.

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 apply for PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

You can find out more about eligibility and apply on the GOV.UK website.

Universal Credit can help you with your living costs if you’re on low income or out of work.