Fiducia TogetherDisability Access Fund
An annual payment to early years settings for three and four year olds on Disability Living Allowance.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
The Disability Access Fund is a fixed annual amount paid to an early years provider for each eligible child, to help make the setting accessible — equipment, adaptations, training.
It is paid per child per year to one setting, not split between settings.
Where it applies
Three and four year olds who receive Disability Living Allowance and take up funded early education.
How it works
The provider claims it through the council. It is not means-tested beyond DLA entitlement.
Separately, councils must have SEN inclusion funding arrangements for early years, which is a different pot.
What you can ask for
Tell the nursery your child receives DLA. Many settings do not ask and the money is only claimed if somebody knows.
Ask what the setting will spend it on, and ask about SEN inclusion funding as well.
Where to get help
The council's early years team. Contact for advice on DLA for children, which is itself under-claimed.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.