Relationship to other benefits
Disability Allowance
The Disability Allowance differs from the Child Disability Allowance. The Disability Allowance is paid to reimburse ongoing disability related expenses and is income tested; the Child Disability Allowance is not.
Some carers can receive both the Child Disability Allowance and the Disability Allowance for the child or young person.
Invalid’s Benefit
Some young people may qualify for Invalid’s Benefit when they turn 16 years old.
The Invalid’s Benefit is paid to people aged 16 years or older who are permanently and severely restricted in how much work they can do because of sickness, injury or disability. This means the person is unable to work regularly for 15 hours a week in open employment and their incapacity is expected to continue for at least two years.
It can also mean the person has a terminal illness and is not expected to live more than two years.
Once a young person is granted the Invalid’s Benefit, the caregiver is no longer entitled to receive the Child Disability Allowance.
Please note: people who are totally blind can also receive this benefit, irrespective of their employment status.
