Benefits and financial support
These guides explain the main disability benefits and financial help in the UK: what each one is, who it is for, and how to claim. Rules differ in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so we say which nation each one covers.
This is information, not advice. A free benefits check from Citizens Advice or a local advice service is usually the fastest way to find everything you are entitled to.
Showing 25 of 25 guides.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Not means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
PIP helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability. It has a daily living part and a mobility part, and each is paid at a standard or enhanced rate.
Who it is for
- You are 16 or over and under State Pension age when you first claim.
- You have had difficulties with daily living or getting around for at least three months, and expect them to continue for at least nine more months.
- It is not about your diagnosis. It is about how much help you need and how often.
How to claim
- Start the claim by phone or online and give your basic details.
- Fill in the form about how your condition affects you. Give real examples, including bad days, and say how long tasks take and how much pain or exhaustion they cause.
- Send supporting evidence such as care plans, letters and prescriptions.
- You may be asked to attend an assessment. You can ask for it by phone or video, ask for a longer appointment, and take someone with you.
Good to know
- Keep a copy of everything you send.
- If you disagree with the decision you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month.
- In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment has replaced PIP for new claims.
- If you are already getting Attendance Allowance, DLA or PIP and move within Great Britain, your award normally continues; moving between Scotland and the rest of GB can trigger a transfer to the equivalent Scottish or DWP benefit.
Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
Not means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Adult Disability Payment is the Scottish replacement for PIP, delivered by Social Security Scotland. It also has a daily living part and a mobility part.
Who it is for
- You live in Scotland, are 16 or over and under State Pension age when you first claim.
- You have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your daily life or mobility.
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone, by post or in person with local support.
- Social Security Scotland will gather supporting information for you where it can.
- Face-to-face assessments are not routinely used.
Good to know
- You can ask for a re-determination if you disagree with a decision.
- Independent advocacy is available free of charge for disabled people applying.
Attendance Allowance
Not means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Attendance Allowance helps with the extra costs of care needs if you are State Pension age or over. It is paid at two rates depending on how much help you need.
Who it is for
- You are State Pension age or over.
- You need help with personal care, or supervision to stay safe, and have needed it for at least six months.
How to claim
- Request a claim form by phone or download it, then describe your needs day and night.
- There is no medical assessment for most people.
Good to know
- It does not affect your State Pension and is not taxable.
- Scotland has replaced this with Pension Age Disability Payment.
Universal Credit (UC)
Means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs if you are on a low income or out of work. Disabled people may get extra amounts.
Who it is for
- You are on a low income, whether you are working or not.
- If your health limits your ability to work, you can ask for a Work Capability Assessment.
How to claim
- Claim online, or by phone if you cannot use the online service.
- Send fit notes from your GP as soon as your health affects your ability to work.
- Ask for reasonable adjustments to your claimant commitment, appointments and communication.
Good to know
- The limited capability for work and work-related activity element adds a significant monthly amount.
- You can ask for alternative payment arrangements, including more frequent payments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- The limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) element is higher than the basic limited capability for work (LCW) element, and LCW is no longer awarded for most new claims — most people assessed as having limited capability go straight to LCWRA if they qualify.
- A managed migration process is moving people from older benefits such as ESA and tax credits onto Universal Credit; if you get a migration notice, there is a deadline to claim to protect transitional payments.
Carer's Allowance
Partly means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get a qualifying disability benefit.
Who it is for
- You care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
- The person you care for gets a qualifying benefit such as PIP daily living or Attendance Allowance.
- You earn under the weekly earnings limit after allowable expenses.
How to claim
- Claim online or by post. You can backdate up to three months.
- Check first whether it reduces the other person's severe disability premium.
Good to know
- In Scotland, Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance for new claims and there is also a Carer's Allowance Supplement.
- Claiming can also give you National Insurance credits.
Access to Work
Not means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Access to Work is a grant towards support at work, such as equipment, software, travel to work, a support worker or a British Sign Language interpreter. It also funds mental health support.
Who it is for
- You are in paid work, self-employed, about to start a job, or on an apprenticeship or work trial.
- You have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your work.
How to claim
- Apply online or by phone yourself — your employer cannot apply for you.
- An adviser discusses what support would help and may arrange an assessment.
- Waiting times can be long, so apply as early as possible.
Good to know
- Support is portable in many cases if you change job.
- Northern Ireland has its own equivalent support through the Department for Communities.
Blue Badge parking scheme
Not means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
A Blue Badge lets you park closer to where you need to go. It covers physical and non-visible conditions, including some mental health and cognitive conditions.
Who it is for
- You cannot walk far, walking is very painful, or journeys cause you overwhelming psychological distress or risk.
- Some people qualify automatically, for example on enhanced rate PIP mobility.
How to claim
- Apply through your local council, or through nidirect in Northern Ireland.
- There may be a small fee, which differs by nation.
Good to know
- The badge belongs to you, not the vehicle.
- Rules on where you can park differ in central London boroughs.
Council Tax support and disability reduction
Partly means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
You may pay less Council Tax through a disability band reduction, a severe mental impairment exemption, or a low-income reduction scheme. Northern Ireland uses rates relief instead.
Who it is for
- Your home has an extra room, extra space for a wheelchair, or an additional bathroom needed because of a disability.
- Someone in the household is certified as severely mentally impaired and gets a qualifying benefit.
- You are on a low income.
How to claim
- Contact your local council and ask specifically for the disability band reduction as well as any low-income scheme.
- In Northern Ireland apply for Housing Benefit and Rate Relief through Land and Property Services.
Good to know
- Reductions can often be backdated. Ask.
- Schemes vary between councils, so read your council's own rules.
Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA (child))
Not means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
DLA for children helps with the extra costs of raising a disabled child under 16. It has a care component and a mobility component, each paid at different rates depending on need.
Who it is for
- Your child is under 16.
- They need much more looking after than a child of the same age without a disability, or they have difficulty getting around.
- They have needed this help for at least three months and are likely to need it for at least six more months (this rule is relaxed for terminal illness).
How to claim
- Request a paper claim form by phone — there is no online claim for a first application.
- Describe a typical day and night, including help with washing, dressing, eating, communicating and staying safe.
- Include supporting letters from school, health visitors, therapists or specialists.
Good to know
- A claim can be backdated to the date you first requested the form in some cases.
- At 16, your child will usually need to move onto PIP, Adult Disability Payment, or continue on DLA if born before the relevant cut-off in Scotland.
- In Scotland this has been replaced by Child Disability Payment for new claims.
Child Disability Payment (CDP)
Not means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Child Disability Payment is the Scottish equivalent of DLA for children, delivered by Social Security Scotland. It has a care component and a mobility component.
Who it is for
- Your child lives in Scotland and is under 16.
- They need extra looking after or have mobility needs because of a disability or health condition.
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone, by post or with local support.
- Social Security Scotland can help gather supporting information.
Good to know
- There is no face-to-face assessment for most claims.
- Award review periods can be longer for conditions that are unlikely to change.
Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
Not means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Pension Age Disability Payment is the Scottish replacement for Attendance Allowance, for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision.
Who it is for
- You live in Scotland and are State Pension age or over.
- You need help with personal care or supervision to stay safe, and have needed it for at least six months (unless you are terminally ill).
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone, by post or with local support once it is available in your area — check current rollout dates.
- Existing Attendance Allowance claimants are being moved over automatically in stages.
Good to know
- It does not affect your State Pension and is not means-tested.
- You do not need to do anything until Social Security Scotland contacts you if you already get Attendance Allowance.
Carer Support Payment
Partly means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Carer Support Payment is the Scottish replacement for Carer's Allowance, for people who care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
Who it is for
- You live in Scotland and care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
- The person you care for gets a qualifying disability benefit.
- Your earnings are under the weekly limit after allowable expenses.
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone or by post through Social Security Scotland as it rolls out across the country.
- You may still need to claim Carer's Allowance from the DWP if Carer Support Payment is not yet available where you live.
Good to know
- Carers in Scotland may also get an extra Carer's Allowance Supplement payment twice a year.
- Full-time students can generally not get this payment.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Partly means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
ESA is a benefit for people whose ability to work is limited by ill health or disability. New Style ESA is based on National Insurance contributions; income-related ESA is means-tested but is being replaced by Universal Credit for most new claims.
Who it is for
- Your health limits the type or amount of work you can do.
- You have paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions for New Style ESA.
- You are not usually able to claim income-related ESA as a new claim unless you already get certain other benefits.
How to claim
- Claim online or by phone, and send fit notes from your GP.
- You will normally have a Work Capability Assessment to decide which group you are placed in.
Good to know
- You can usually get New Style ESA alongside Universal Credit, though it may reduce your UC payment pound for pound.
- If you disagree with your Work Capability Assessment outcome, ask for a mandatory reconsideration.
Motability Scheme
Not means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
The Motability Scheme lets you exchange the mobility part of a qualifying disability benefit for a lease car, scooter or powered wheelchair, usually including insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.
Who it is for
- You get the higher/enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, Adult Disability Payment, DLA, Child Disability Payment, or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, with at least twelve months of the award left.
How to claim
- Contact Motability or a participating dealer once you have a qualifying award letter.
- Choose a vehicle and check what adaptations are available.
Good to know
- A grant scheme can help towards adaptations or a deposit for people on a lower income.
- If your award ends or reduces, your lease can also end, so tell Motability about any change straight away.
Vehicle tax exemption and reduction
Not means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
You may not have to pay vehicle tax (road tax), or may get a 50% reduction, if you get certain disability benefits.
Who it is for
- You get the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP or Adult Disability Payment (full exemption), or the standard rate (50% reduction).
- You also qualify with higher rate mobility DLA, Child Disability Payment mobility, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
How to claim
- Apply when you tax your vehicle, using your benefit award letter as evidence.
- The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person's name or their nominated driver's name, and used mainly for their needs.
Good to know
- You can only have one vehicle exempt or reduced at a time.
- You still need to insure the vehicle even if it is exempt from tax.
VAT relief on disability equipment
Not means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Disabled people can buy certain equipment, adaptations and services VAT-free, including some mobility aids, hoists and adapted vehicles, if the item is designed or adapted for disabled use and for personal use.
Who it is for
- You have a physical or mental impairment with a long-term and substantial effect on your ability to carry out everyday activities, or a chronic illness such as diabetes.
- You do not need to be claiming a disability benefit to qualify.
How to claim
- Fill in a supplier's VAT exemption declaration form at the point of purchase — you do not need to contact HMRC yourself.
- Check the item is one that qualifies, as ordinary domestic items used by everyone usually do not.
Good to know
- It is a criminal offence to sign a declaration if you know it is false, so only claim relief on genuinely qualifying items.
- VAT relief also applies to the installation, repair and maintenance of qualifying equipment in some cases.
Free bus travel and concessionary transport
Not means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Concessionary travel schemes give disabled people free or reduced-cost bus travel, and sometimes rail or ferry discounts. Rules and what counts as a qualifying disability differ by nation and, in England, by local authority.
Who it is for
- You have a qualifying disability, for example being blind or partially sighted, deaf, having a learning disability, or being unable to walk far.
- In Scotland, everyone under 22 and disabled people of any age can travel free on local buses; in Wales, disabled people get a free bus pass; in England, disabled bus passes are administered locally; in Northern Ireland, the SmartPass scheme applies.
How to claim
- Apply through your local council (England), through Transport for Wales or your council in Wales, through your local transport partnership in Scotland, or through Translink in Northern Ireland.
- You will usually need to show evidence of your disability or a qualifying benefit.
Good to know
- A companion pass may be available if you need someone to travel with you.
- Ask about a Disabled Persons Railcard for separate discounts on rail travel across Great Britain.
Help with NHS travel costs
Partly means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (and equivalents) can refund reasonable travel costs to NHS appointments for people on a low income or certain qualifying benefits.
Who it is for
- You get Universal Credit, income-related ESA, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or hold an NHS Low Income Scheme certificate (HC2 or HC3), among other qualifying benefits.
- You are travelling to an NHS-referred appointment, including for a hospital, dentist or specialist.
How to claim
- Ask at the hospital or clinic reception, or claim afterwards with proof of your appointment, travel receipts and qualifying benefit.
- In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the schemes are broadly similar but run by the relevant health service.
Good to know
- Prescription charges do not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland; in England you may be able to get a medical exemption certificate or pre-payment certificate.
- Keep tickets and receipts as evidence when you claim.
Housing Benefit and Discretionary Housing Payments
Means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Housing Benefit helps pay rent for some people, mainly those of State Pension age or living in supported or temporary accommodation, since most working-age people now claim the housing element of Universal Credit instead. Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are extra, short-term help from your council if your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element does not cover your rent.
Who it is for
- You are of State Pension age, or in supported/temporary housing, and on a low income (Housing Benefit).
- You already get help with rent through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but face a shortfall, for example due to the 'bedroom tax' (removal of the spare room subsidy) or the benefit cap (DHP).
How to claim
- Apply for Housing Benefit through your local council, or ask about DHP alongside your existing claim.
- Explain clearly why you need help, including any disability-related reasons such as needing an extra room for equipment, overnight care, or a carer.
Good to know
- DHPs are time-limited and discretionary, so you may need to reapply and provide fresh evidence.
- In Northern Ireland, a Welfare Supplementary Payment may also help offset the bedroom tax.
Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment
Partly means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off yearly discount on your electricity bill for people on a low income or certain means-tested benefits. Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment towards heating costs, now targeted at pensioners on Pension Credit or other low-income benefits; Scotland runs its own Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.
Who it is for
- You get Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits and your energy supplier is part of the scheme (Warm Home Discount).
- You are of State Pension age and receive Pension Credit or a qualifying low-income benefit (Winter Fuel Payment / Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland).
How to claim
- Warm Home Discount is often applied automatically if you get the qualifying benefit; check with your energy supplier if you have not received it by the expected date.
- Winter Fuel Payment / Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is usually paid automatically once you are getting a qualifying benefit; if you have never claimed a relevant benefit you may need to claim.
Good to know
- Rules on who automatically qualifies for Winter Fuel Payment have changed in recent years, so check current eligibility each winter.
- Cold Weather Payments are separate and are paid automatically during periods of very cold weather if you get certain benefits (not available in Scotland, which has its own Winter Heating Payment instead).
Scottish Child Payment
Means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment for low-income families with children under 16, paid by Social Security Scotland. It is not specific to disability but many disabled parents and disabled children's households qualify.
Who it is for
- You live in Scotland, are responsible for a child under 16, and get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit.
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone or by post through Social Security Scotland.
Good to know
- You can claim for each child you are responsible for.
- It is paid alongside other benefits and does not reduce most other payments.
Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods
Means-tested. Covers: Scotland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Best Start Grants are one-off payments for low-income families in Scotland at pregnancy, early years and school-age stages. Best Start Foods is a prepaid card for healthy food during pregnancy and early childhood.
Who it is for
- You live in Scotland, are pregnant or have a young child, and get a qualifying low-income benefit (or are under 18/19 without needing to claim a benefit in some cases).
How to claim
- Apply online, by phone or by post through Social Security Scotland for each grant separately.
Good to know
- You do not need to be getting Scottish Child Payment to also get Best Start Grants and Foods.
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland have the separate Healthy Start scheme instead.
Healthy Start
Means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Healthy Start provides a prepaid card to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables, formula and vitamins for pregnant women and families with children under four on a low income.
Who it is for
- You are at least 10 weeks pregnant, or have a child under four, and you or your family get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit under the earnings threshold.
- Anyone under 18 who is pregnant can qualify regardless of benefits.
How to claim
- Apply online; if successful, money is loaded onto a prepaid card every four weeks.
Good to know
- Scotland has its own similar Best Start Foods scheme instead.
- You can also get free vitamins through the scheme in England.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
Not means-tested. Covers: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
DSA is extra funding for higher education students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, to help cover study-related costs it causes.
Who it is for
- You are a UK student on an eligible higher education course and your disability affects your studies.
- It is not means-tested and does not need to be repaid.
How to claim
- Apply through your student finance body (Student Finance England, Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Finance Wales, or Student Finance NI) with medical evidence.
- You will usually have a needs assessment at a local assessment centre to work out what would help.
Good to know
- DSA can pay for specialist equipment, a non-medical helper such as a note-taker, and extra travel costs.
- Apply as early as possible, ideally before your course starts, as assessments can take time.
Budgeting Advance, Scottish Welfare Fund and NI Discretionary Support
Means-tested. Covers: UK-wide. Last checked 5 January 2026. Next review 5 July 2026.
Emergency and one-off help for people who cannot manage an unexpected expense or a gap in income. In England and Wales this is a Budgeting Advance from Universal Credit; Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund (Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants); Northern Ireland has Discretionary Support.
Who it is for
- You get Universal Credit and need help with an essential cost such as replacing a broken cooker (Budgeting Advance).
- You are on a low income and face a crisis or need help to live independently, including after leaving hospital or care (Scottish Welfare Fund).
- You need urgent short-term help in Northern Ireland (Discretionary Support).
How to claim
- Apply through your Universal Credit journal or by phone (Budgeting Advance).
- Apply online or by phone to your local council for the Scottish Welfare Fund.
- Apply online, by phone or in person for Discretionary Support in Northern Ireland.
Good to know
- A Budgeting Advance is a loan repaid through future Universal Credit payments; Scottish Welfare Fund grants do not need to be repaid.
- Councils and local advice services can also signpost to local welfare assistance schemes in England.