Benefits and financial support

PIP, Universal Credit, Access to Work, concessions and challenging decisions.

Sample content. This summarises official sources listed below. It is information, not legal advice.

Key points

Disability benefits are based on the help you need, not on your diagnosis alone.
PIP applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland has Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment.
PIP is not means-tested and is not affected by savings or by whether you work.
Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance may include extra amounts if your health limits your ability to work.
If you disagree with a decision you can usually ask for a mandatory reconsideration, then appeal to a tribunal. Time limits apply, usually one month.

Get free help from Citizens Advice, a local advice centre or a disability organisation before you apply.
Keep copies of everything you send, and ask for a copy of your assessment report.
Describe your worst days as well as your best, and say if you cannot do something reliably or repeatedly.
Check whether you qualify for Council Tax reduction, free prescriptions, or travel concessions.
A worked example: someone whose condition fluctuates should describe their worst days, how often they happen, and what happens if they try to push through a task despite this, since assessors must consider reliability, safety, and how many times an action can be repeated.
First-tier Tribunal appeal time limits are normally one month from the mandatory reconsideration notice, extendable in limited circumstances up to 13 months with good reason.