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Help for ill health or disability
Ill health or disability
Always get a full benefit check to determine which benefits you are entitled to and the amounts you should receive. Then use the checklist below for ideas of other ways to maximise your available income if you or your child are in ill health or disabled.
This checklist is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the benefits or help for which you might qualify and is not a full statement of the law. Get specialist advice where appropriate.
If you or your child have a terminal illness
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you or your child have a terminal illness and are not getting a disability benefit
Aged under 16 and living in England or Wales.
Check entitlement to disability living allowance (DLA) under the 'special rules'.
If a child counts as terminally ill for DLA, and you make a claim for DLA on that basis then the child:
    •automatically satisfies the 'disability conditions' for the highest rate of the care component of DLA; and
    •does not have to satisfy the normal three-month qualifying period in order to get either the care component or mobility component.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Aged under 16 and living in Scotland.
Check entitlement to child disability payment (CDP) under the 'special rules'.
If a child counts as terminally ill for CDP, and you make a claim for CDP on that basis then the child:
    •automatically satisfies the 'disability conditions' for the highest rate of the care component of CDP; and
    •automatically satisfies the 'disability conditions' for the higher rate of the mobility component of CDP (although the child must be at least three years old to qualify for the mobility component); and
    •does not have to satisfy the disability conditions for a period of 13 weeks in order to qualify for either component.
In some circumstances, the award of CDP can be backdated for up to 26 weeks.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
Aged 16-65 and living in England or Wales.
Check if you qualify for personal independence payment (PIP) under the 'special rules'.
If you count as terminally ill for PIP, and you make a claim for PIP on that basis then you:
    •automatically qualify for the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP; and
    •do not have to satisfy the 'required period' condition in order to get either the daily living component or the mobility component.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Aged 16-65 and living in Scotland
Check if you qualify for adult disability payment (ADP) under the 'special rules'.
If you count as terminally ill for ADP and you make a claim for ADP on that basis you:
    •automatically satisfy the 'disability conditions' for the enhanced rate of the daily living component and the enhanced rate of the mobility component of ADP; and
    •do not have to satisfy the 'required period' condition in order to get the components.
In some circumstances the award of ADP can be backdated for up to 26 weeks.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
Aged 66 and over and living in England, Wales and, unless you live in a pension age disability payment (PADP) pilot area, Scotland, (and not getting DLA, PIP, ADP or PADP).
Check if you qualify for attendance allowance (AA) under the 'special rules'.
If you count as terminally ill for AA and you make a claim for AA on that basis, you:
    •automatically satisfy the 'disability conditions' for the higher rate of AA; and
    •do not have to satisfy the normal six-month qualifying period.
Note that: in some circumstances, if you previously got DLA, PIP or ADP and your claim ended less than a year ago, you may be able to reclaim that benefit rather than claim AA.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Aged 66 and over and living in a PADP pilot area in Scotland (and not getting DLA, PIP, ADP, AA or armed forces independence payment).
Check that you live in an area where you can claim PADP, and if so whether you qualify for PADP under the 'special rules'.
If you count as terminally ill for PADP and you make a claim for it on that basis, you:
    •automatically satisfy the 'disability conditions' for the higher rate of PADP; and
    •do not have to satisfy the normal 26-week qualifying period.
Note that: in some circumstances, if you previously got DLA, PIP or ADP and your claim ended less than a year ago, you may be able to reclaim that benefit rather than claim PADP.
CPAG in Scotland
gov.scot:
mygov.scot:
If you are already getting a disability benefit but it is not the maximum rate
Check if you qualify for a higher rate of disability benefit. For the rules relating to DLA, CDP, ADP, AA or PADP if you have a terminal illness, see the rows directly above this one.
If you qualify for a higher rate of benefit on the basis that you are terminally ill, you must state this explicitly when you ask for your award to be reconsidered.
Aged under 18 (or in some cases under 19) living in Scotland and have been transferred from DLA to CDP.
Children and young people in Scotland who were getting DLA have been transferred to CDP.
If a child or young person counts as terminally ill, they will qualify for the highest rate of the care component and, if they are at least three years old, the higher rate of the mobility component of CDP.
In some circumstances the award of CDP could be backdated for up to 26 weeks.
If the rate of CDP awarded is higher than the DLA which was being paid, check whether the child or young person was entitled to backdating, and, if so, that the correct amount was paid for the backdated period. The CDP paid for the backdated period should be the difference between the two awards.
Note that: the definition which determines whether the special rules apply for CDP is different from that for DLA.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are living in Scotland and get PIP, notifying the DWP of a change in your circumstances, such as that you are terminally ill, is likely to trigger your transfer to ADP.
If you count as terminally ill, you qualify for the enhanced rate of the daily living component and the enhanced rate of the mobility component of ADP. However, if you are aged 66 or over, your entitlement to the enhanced rate of the mobility component may be restricted, check the rules.
In some circumstances the award of ADP can be backdated for up to one year. If the rate of ADP awarded for the backdated period is higher than the PIP which was paid for that period, the ADP paid will be the difference between the two awards.
Note that: the definition which determines whether the special rules apply for ADP is different from that for DLA or PIP.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG’s Welfare Rights Bulletin:
If you are employed but not well enough to work
Check if you qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP).
Note that:
    •SSP is treated as earnings for universal credit (UC), housing benefit, and pension credit, as 'employment income' for tax credits, and as 'other income' for other means-tested benefits.
    •If you are entitled to contractual sick pay from your employer, SSP usually forms part of your contractual sick pay.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you are working age and don’t qualify for SSP
If you are 16 or over and have not reached state pension age, check if you qualify for employment and support allowance (ESA). If you qualify, and you count as terminally ill for ESA, and you make a claim on that basis:
    •you are automatically treated as having limited capability for work and limited capability for work-related activity; and
    •the support component is included in your ESA straight away
Note that: Contributory ESA (including new-style ESA) is treated as income for means-tested benefits.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are already getting ESA
If you count as terminally ill for ESA:
    •you are automatically treated as having limited capability for work and limited capability for work related activity; and
    •you qualify for the support component in your ESA.
If you are not getting the support component consider asking for a supersession or revision of your award. Request this expressly on the ground of being terminally ill.
If you request a supersession on the basis your circumstances have changed as you are terminally ill, the supersession can take effect from the date you became terminally ill.
Note that: Contributory ESA (including new-style ESA) is treated as income for means-tested benefits.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are getting UC
If you count as terminally ill for UC:
    •you are automatically treated as having limited capability for work and limited capability for work-related activity; and
    •you qualify for the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element in your UC. You do not have to wait three months to qualify for it.
If you request a supersession on the basis your circumstances have changed as you are terminally ill, the supersession can take effect from the first day of the assessment period in which you became terminally ill.
Note that:
    •If you also qualify for the carer element in your UC, the LCWRA is awarded in its place. If you are in a couple and your partner also qualifies for the LCWRA and/or carer element, both elements can be included.
    •If you get the transitional SDP element within your UC or you have transferred to UC under the managed migration process and you get a transitional element within your UC, your transitional SDP element or transitional element is likely to be eroded if you subsequently become entitled to a LCWRA element.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
In some circumstances, if you work and your earnings are equal to or above a certain threshold you are automatically treated as not having limited capability for work for UC. This should not apply if you count as terminally ill . However, your earnings may affect the amount of UC you get.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you and/or your partner work, an amount of your earnings can be ignored when calculating your UC. This is known as the ‘work allowance’. You can qualify for the work allowance if you count as terminally ill for UC, because you are treated as having limited capability for work.
Check that the correct amount of your earnings is ignored.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you are affected by the benefit cap
In certain situations, the benefit cap should not apply to you. These include if you or your partner get:
    •UC which includes the limited capability for work-related activity element;
    •ESA which includes the support component;
    •a disability benefit or if a child for whom you or your partner are responsible gets a disability benefit.
If you, your partner or your child count as terminally ill, you are likely to be able to meet one of these conditions.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
Who counts as terminally ill for benefit purposes?
In some circumstances, if you count as terminally ill, you can rely on special benefit rules (also known as 'the special rules'). You count as terminally ill and the special rules apply to you if you meet the following criteria, which differ according to the benefit you are claiming:
    •for DLA, PIP and AA, you have a progressive disease and as a result of the disease can reasonably be expected to die within 12 months (this rule was changed to within 12 months from 3 April 2023, prior to this it was within six months); or
    •for ESA and UC, you have a progressive disease and can reasonably be expected to die within 12 months; or
    •for CDP, ADP and PADP in the judgement of a registered medical practitioner or nurse professionally involved in your care or diagnosis you have a progressive disease which can reasonably be expected to cause your death.
To demonstrate you meet these rules you must provide certain evidence.
If you are not getting a disability benefit
Check if you qualify for a disability benefit. Disability benefits are ignored as income when calculating your entitlement to means-tested benefits and tax credits. In addition, in some circumstances, getting a disability benefit may increase your entitlement to means-tested benefits and tax credits.
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
Aged under 16
In England and Wales, check entitlement to disability living allowance (DLA).
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
In Scotland, check entitlement to child disability payment.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
Aged 16-65
In England and Wales, check if you qualify for personal independence payment (PIP).
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
In Scotland, check if you qualify for adult disability payment (ADP).
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
Aged 66 or over
In England, Wales and, unless you live in a pension age disability payment (PADP) pilot area, Scotland, check if you qualify for attendance allowance (AA).
Note that: in some circumstances, if you previously got DLA, PIP or ADP and your claim ended less than a year ago, you may be able to reclaim that benefit rather than claim AA.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
In Scotland, if you live in a PADP pilot area, check if you qualify for PADP.
Note that: in some circumstances, if you previously got DLA, PIP or ADP and your claim ended less than a year ago, you may be able to reclaim that benefit rather than claim PADP.
CPAG in Scotland
gov.scot:
mygov.scot:
If you are getting a disability benefit
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you are not getting the maximum rate of a disability benefit
Check the rules for the disability benefit you are getting to see if you meet the conditions for a higher rate of benefit and then check below if you think you should qualify for more.
Note that: you usually cannot start to get the mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA), personal independence payment (PIP) or adult disability payment (ADP), or increase your entitlement to it, if you are aged 66 or over.
DLA:
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Child disability payment (CDP):
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
PIP:
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
ADP:
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG in Scotland:
Attendance allowance (AA):
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Pension age disability payment:
CPAG in Scotland
mygov.scot:
Check the risks of asking for a higher rate of disability benefit before you decide how to proceed.
Description: warning-icon-v3 There may be a risk that your benefit could go down instead of up if you ask for a higher rate, or that you could lose entitlement altogether.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are aged 16 or over and on DLA, or live in Scotland and are on PIP, in some circumstances asking for a higher rate of benefit may trigger your transfer to PIP or ADP. Check the rules.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG’s Welfare Rights Bulletin:
If you think that you qualify for a higher rate and that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland (SSS) got the decision on your entitlement wrong, consider challenging the decision and check whether you are still within the time limits to do so.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
DLA and PIP:
CDP and ADP:
CPAG in Scotland:
mygov.scot:
CPAG Welfare Rights tools (for subscribers):
If you think that you qualify for a higher rate because your condition has worsened since the DWP or SSS made a decision on your entitlement, consider asking the DWP or SSS to reconsider your entitlement.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
DLA and PIP:
CDP and ADP:
myscot.gov:
If you are at least state pension age and get universal credit (UC) (because your partner is under state pension age)
If you have reached state pension age and get
    •AA;
    •pension age disability payment;
    •the highest rate of the care component of DLA; or
    •the enhanced rate of the daily living component of either PIP or ADP,
you should be treated as having limited capability for work and work-related activity and qualify for the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element in your UC (but unless an exemption applies, there is usually a three-month waiting period before you get it).
Note that:
    •If you also qualify for the carer element in your UC, the LCWRA is awarded in its place. If you are in a couple and your partner also qualifies for the LCWRA and/or carer element, both elements can be included.
    •If you get the transitional SDP element within your UC or you have transferred to UC under the managed migration process and you get a transitional element within your UC, your transitional SDP element or transitional element is likely to be eroded if you subsequently become entitled to a LCWRA element.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are not well enough to work
Always check your entitlement to means-tested benefits in addition to the following:
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you are employed
Check if you qualify for statutory sick pay (SSP).
If you qualify for contractual sick pay as well as SSP, SSP usually forms part of your contractual sick pay.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you are not entitled to SSP, and you are under state pension age, check if you qualify for employment and support allowance (ESA).
If you qualify for contributory ESA, it is not affected by any contractual sick pay you get.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you are self employed or unemployed and under state pension age
Check if you qualify for ESA.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you are getting jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
If you are on JSA, you can continue to get it during certain limited periods of sickness, check if this applies to you. Alternatively, you may qualify for ESA.
Description: warning-icon-v3 If you are on income-based JSA and can continue to get it during a period of sickness, get advice before deciding to end your claim. This is because you cannot return to income-based JSA once you have stopped claiming it.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you are getting universal credit (UC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not assessed whether you have limited capability for work for UC or ESA
If you haven't already done so, notify the Jobcentre that you are unfit for work. If you have been, or expect to be, unfit for work for more than seven days, submit a fit note to confirm that you are unfit for work.
Note that: this applies even if you are over state pension age and are getting UC as part of a 'mixed age couple'.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Check whether you can be treated as having limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA). If any of the circumstances that allow you to be treated as having LCW or LCWRA apply, consider informing the DWP of this and providing evidence.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
If you cannot be treated as having LCW or LCWRA without needing an assessment, and it is more than 28 days since you notified the Jobcentre that you are unfit for work, request a UC50 form (a UC capability for work questionnaire) if you have not already received one. You can request a UC50 form on your online UC journal or by ringing the DWP's UC helpline.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you have had a work capability assessment in connection with your UC claim
If the DWP has determined that you do not have LCW, consider whether you want to challenge this decision. There are normally time limits for doing so.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG Welfare Rights tool (for subscribers):
If the DWP has determined that you have LCW but not LCWRA, check whether you meet the conditions for having LCWRA, as this will qualify you for a LCWRA element within your UC. Unless an exemption applies to you, there is normally a three-month waiting period before a LCWRA element is included in your UC.
Note that:
    •If you get a LCWRA element within your UC you should be exempt from the benefit cap.
    •If you satisfy the conditions for both the LCWRA element and the carer element, only the LCWRA element is included in your UC. If you have a partner, both elements can be included if you satisfy the conditions for one element and your partner satisfies the conditions for the other.
    •If you get the transitional SDP element within your UC or you have transferred to UC under the managed migration process and you get a transitional element within your UC, your transitional SDP element or transitional element is likely to be eroded if you subsequently become entitled to a LCWRA element.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
CPAG Welfare Rights tool (for subscribers):
If you get UC and the DWP has determined that you have or can be treated as having LCW (or LCWRA)
If the DWP has determined that you have or can be treated as having LCW, and you and/or your partner work, an amount of your earnings is ignored when calculating your UC. This is known as the ‘work allowance’.
Check that the correct amount of earnings is ignored.
Note that: In some circumstances, if you work and earn equal to or more than a threshold amount, you are treated as not having limited capability for work.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you get UC and the DWP has determined that you have or can be treated as having LCWRA
If the DWP determines that you have or can be treated as having LCWRA, check that the LCWRA element is added to your UC award from the earliest possible date.
Note that: if you get the transitional SDP element within your UC or you have transferred to UC under the managed migration process and you get a transitional element within your UC, your transitional SDP element or transitional element is likely to be eroded if you subsequently become entitled to a LCWRA element.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
CPAG's Welfare Rights Bulletin:
CPAG Welfare Rights tool:
If you are getting ESA
If you are not in the support group check if you might have LCWRA. If you have LCWRA you qualify for a support component within your ESA. Unless an exception applies, you normally only get a support component after the 'assessment phase' has ended.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you get ESA and do 'permitted work', any earnings you get from permitted work are ignored when calculating your ESA.
Note that: If you are getting contributory ESA and UC, your earnings from permitted work are treated as income for UC. In some circumstances, if your earnings are at or above a threshold level, you may be treated as not having limited capability for work for UC. However, if your earning are above this threshold level they would be too high for the work to count as permitted work.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:

If your ill health or disability was caused by work
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If your ill health disability was caused by a work-related injury or disease
Check if you can qualify for industrial injuries benefits.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
Get legal advice if you are thinking of claiming compensation from your employer because of a work-related injury or a health condition arising from your work. If you are in a union, this could be legal advice from your union. There are time limits for doing this.
Trades Union Congress (TUC):
If you need help with travel and parking costs
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you travel by private vehicle
Check if you qualify for a Blue Badge. You can qualify without being assessed if you get certain benefits. Otherwise, you are assessed to see if you meet the qualifying conditions.
Apply online or contact your local council for a paper form.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
GOV.UK:
mygov.scot:
GOV.WALES:
If a vehicle is used by, or for, you, check if it is exempt from vehicle tax. This might apply if you get:
    •the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) or child disability payment (CDP); or
    •the enhanced rate mobility component of personal independence payment (PIP) or adult disability payment (ADP); or
    •armed forces independence payment; or
    •war pensioners’ mobility supplement.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If a vehicle is used by, or for, you, check if you can get a reduction in vehicle tax. This might apply if you get:
    •the standard rate mobility component of PIP; or
    •the standard rate mobility component of ADP.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you need a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair
You may be able to lease one through Motability if you or your child get:
    •the higher rate mobility component of DLA or CDP; or
    •the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP or ADP; or
    •armed forces independence payment; or
    •war pensioners’ mobility supplement.
Check if you qualify.
Motability:
If you travel to hospital or to get NHS treatment or services
Check if you can get help to cover the full cost of fares to hospital or to get NHS treatment or services.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
nhsinform.scot:
WALES.GOV:
If you live in England and use public transport
If you live in London, check if you qualify for a Freedom Pass which allows you to travel free on buses, the tube, TFL, and some trams and local trains.
If you live somewhere else in England, check the England national concessionary travel scheme. You may qualify for free bus travel and, in some areas, free travel on other local services.
Some local authorities also issue disabled person’s travel passes or freedom passes on a discretionary basis to disabled people who do not meet the usual qualifying conditions. They may also allow a travelling companion of someone who qualifies for a disabled person’s travel pass to travel for free. Check your local authority's website.
London Councils:
Transport for All:
GOV.UK:
If you live in Scotland and use public transport
Check if you qualify for a National Entitlement Card which allows you to travel by bus for free. Some local authorities also provide discounted rail, tram or travel for card-holders.
In some circumstances you are also entitled to have a companion travel with you for free.
Transport Scotland:
If you live in Wales and use public transport
Check if you qualify for a disabled person’s concessionary travel card which entitles you to free bus journeys and free travel on some trains.
In some circumstances you are also entitled to have a companion travel with you for free.
Transport for Wales:
If you use long-distance coach services
Some national coach companies offer discounted travel to people with disabilities who purchase an annual card. Check the company's website.
National Express:
If you travel by train
Check if you qualify for a disabled person’s railcard. You can buy a one-year or three-year disabled person’s railcard which entitles you and an adult companion to 1/3 off the cost of most rail journeys in Great Britain.
Disabled Persons Railcard:
If you have to travel by taxi and live in London
Check if you can use the Taxicard scheme in London.
London Councils:
If you have to travel by taxi and live outside London
Check whether your local authority offers reduced or no-cost taxi journeys (these are sometimes limited to a certain number per person a year).
Check your local authority's website for details.
GOV.UK:
Find your local council (England and Wales)
mygov.scot:
Cars and taxis (Scotland)
If you need help with health charges
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you live in England
Check if you qualify for free prescriptions.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
If you don’t qualify for free prescriptions check if you can save money by buying a prescription prepayment certificate.
NHS.UK:
Check if you qualify for free dental check-ups and treatment.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
Check if you qualify for free sight tests.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
Check if you qualify for vouchers for glasses and contact lenses.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
Check if you qualify for free wigs and fabric supports.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
If you live in Scotland
Prescriptions, dental check-ups, sight tests and wigs and fabric supports are free in Scotland.
Check if you qualify for free NHS dental treatment. Dental check ups are free.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS Inform Scotland:
Check if you qualify for vouchers for glasses and contact lenses. Sight tests are free.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS Inform Scotland:
If you live in Wales
Prescriptions, and wigs and fabric supports are free in Wales.
Check if you qualify for free NHS dental check-ups and treatment.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.WALES:
Check if you qualify for free sight tests.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.WALES:
Check if you qualify for vouchers for glasses and contact lenses.
Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.WALES:
If you need aids, equipment or help to manage at home
The following financial assistance may be available to help you manage to live at home. If you have recently come out of hospital or need nursing care, different arrangements may apply.
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you live in England
If you need aids, or minor adaptations to your home, to manage independently, which each cost less than £1000, you can get them for free.
Apply to your local authority for help with aids or minor adaptations. They will usually do an assessment of your needs.
NHS.UK:
GOV.UK:
If you need more costly adaptations to your home to manage independently, check if you qualify for a disabled facilities grant.
Apply to your local authority for a disabled facilities grant. They will usually do an assessment of your needs. Entitlement is means tested.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
NHS.UK:
Check if you qualify for help with the cost of a paid carer if you need care and support to manage at home – eg, if you need help with things like shopping, cleaning, washing and cooking.
Apply to your local authority for help with the cost of a paid carer. They will usually do an assessment of your needs. Entitlement is means tested.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.UK:
GOV.UK:
If you live in Scotland
If you need aids, or minor adaptations to your home, to manage your personal care at home, these may be free.
Apply to your local authority or your local Highland NHS social care team for help with aids or minor adaptations. They may arrange to do an assessment of your needs.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
mygov.scot:
If you need more costly adaptations to your home to manage independently, check with your local council or your local Highland NHS social care team for the help that is available. If you are a housing association tenant, check with your housing association.
If you own your home or are a private tenant and the adaptations are essential to make your home accessible to you, you may qualify for a grant to cover at least 80% of the cost, or 100% if you are on certain benefits. If you are a council or housing association tenant your council or housing association may arrange the adaptations.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
Shelter Scotland:
mygov.scot:
If you need help from a paid carer to manage your non-personal and/or personal care at home, contact your local authority or your local Highland NHS social care team. They will usually arrange to do an assessment of your needs.
'Personal care' given by your local council is free, entitlement to help with the cost of non-personal may be means-tested.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
mygov.scot:
If you live in Wales
If you need aids, or minor adaptations to your home, to manage independently, you may get them for free.
Check the Rapid Response Adaptations Programme administered by Care & Repair Cymru.
Also check your local authority's website for help with aids or minor adaptations. They will usually do an assessment of your needs.
Care & Repair Cymru:
GOV.WALES:
If you need more costly adaptations to your home to manage independently, check if you qualify for a disabled facilities grant.
Apply to your local authority for a disabled facilities grant. They will usually do an assessment of your needs. If the adaptations are classed as 'large adaptations', you may need to satisfy a means test.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.WALES:
Check if you qualify for help with the cost of a paid carer. if you need care and support to manage at home – eg, if you need help with things like shopping, cleaning, washing and cooking.
Apply to your local authority for help with the cost of a paid carer. They will usually do an assessment of your needs. Entitlement is means tested.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.WALES:

If you need help to get or stay in work
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you need equipment or support to find or stay in work
Check if you qualify for an access to work grant.
Entitlement is not means tested and they are available whether you are working for someone else or are self-employed.
Disability Rights Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
If you need certain products or services because of your health condition or disability
Your circumstances
What to check
More information
If you have a disability or long-term health condition
Check if you qualify for VAT relief on certain products and services.
GOV.UK:
What we mean by 'disability benefit'
In this checklist we use the term 'disability benefit' to cover:
    •disability living allowance (DLA);
    •child disability payment (CDP);
    •personal independence payment (PIP);
    •adult disability payment (ADP);
    •attendance allowance (AA);
    •pension age disability payment (PADP); and
    •armed forces independence payment (AFIP).
The rules for AFIP are not covered on this page. For more information on AFIP see Armed Forces Independence Payment on GOV.UK. If you need advice on AFIP, the Royal British Legion offers advice to serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces and their families.
Last updated: 26 November 2024