I know how exhausting it can be to know where to start when working out what you can claim for as a disabled person. I’ve created my own handy guide of things I’ve learnt, from someone who’s had chronic illness for over 22 years.
Each of these entitlements are ever changing, so please verify your eligibility based on your situation with the powers that be. If you find any extra help that’s not listed, please do share in the comments!
This post is accurate as of September 2024.
Personal Independence Payment – Living benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Call the DWP on 0800 917 22 22
What is it? PIP is a means-tested benefit that anyone with a disability can apply for. This includes if you have a mental health or undiagnosed issue. It’s also open to those who are terminally ill. PIP can provide you with a monthly allowance, which helps you to fund your ‘independence’.
How easy is it to apply? It’s a lengthy process to apply for PIP, but very worthwhile. The average claim takes around 1 year to complete. I’ve written a separate blog post on Navigating a PIP claim: Should you apply?
Carers Allowance – Living benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Visit the website Carer’s Allowance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is it? This is for carers, rather than disabled people.
It’s designed to provide extra money if you care for someone at least 35 hours per week. Anyone over 18 can claim this.
How easy is it to apply? Easy, although you do have to earn a low income in order to qualify.
Vehicle Tax Reduction – Driving/Car benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Read the information on this page Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is it? If your vehicle is used by a disabled person (including if someone else drives it for you) you may be able to claim a discount off of your vehicle tax. From what I understand, you have to be in receipt of either high rate DLA or PIP in order to apply – but there are exemptions to this.
How easy is it to apply? According to the information available online, it’s a straightforward process. You have to fill in a form from the post office in order to apply and need the car details.
Blue badge – Parking benefits you can claim for
How to claim? You’ll need to contact your local council.
What is it? A blue badge is a badge that you can carry with you in any car, which allows you to park in disabled spaces. In some car parks, this means you can park for free. You can also park on double yellow lines, which can be very helpful if you have mobility issues.
Having a blue badge also exempts you from paying for some toll road charges.
How easy is it to apply? You’ll need to fill out the form that the local council sends to you, talking about your disability and how it affects your mobility. They’ll then make a decision and if you are awarded your badge, you’ll receive it for 4 years. There is a small fee to pay in order to receive it.
If you already receive PIP then you may automatically entitled.
Bus pass – Travel benefits you can claim for
How to claim? You’ll need to contact your local council.
What is it? A bus pass is for all ages and allows you to board the bus for free around the country (including London).
How easy is it to apply? You’ll need to fill out the form that the local council sends to you, talking about your disability and how it affects your mobility. They’ll then make a decision and if you are awarded your bus pass, you’ll receive it for 1 year.
Train discount card – Travel benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Disabled Persons Railcard | Official Retailer | National Rail (disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk)
What is it? If you apply for a railcard, you’ll get discounts on all your train journeys. You’ll need to pay £20 for the card itself, but then you’ll get one-third off UK travel.
Don’t forget, you can also arrange for free assistance at train stations, in order to board and disembark the train. Your carers will get a discount if they travel with you too!
How easy is it to apply? Super easy, although you do usually need PIP to qualify.
Lease a car with The Motability Scheme – Travel benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Visit their website. Motability | Enhancing lives of disabled people with transportation solutions
What is it? The Motability scheme can help you to lease a brand new car, which is suitable for your needs. They can also help you to access adaptions, and teach you to drive a car with adaptions.
How easy is it to apply? In order to apply, you’ll need to be in receipt of high rate PIP. I am told it is a simple process.
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) – Housing benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Visit their website. Disabled Facilities Grants: Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is it? The DFG grant is provided by your local council and can provide you with funding to have your house adapted to your needs.
You’ll need to own the property or be a tenant, and intend to live in the property for 5 years.
They can help with things like adding ramps, new heating systems, provide stairlifts, etc.
How easy is it to apply? It’s easy to get in contact with them and start the process, but it tends to be a long one. They have to get planning permission to make any major changes in your property, which can be very slow to obtain.
Access to work – Work benefits you can claim for
How to claim? Visit their website. Get support in work if you have a disability or health condition (Access to Work) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What is it? Access to Work is run by the DWP, and are able to assist with funding anything you might need, in order to get a job, get to work, or make your job easier. Whether this a new wheelchair, or a person to accompany you. They will pay some or all of the costs involved in providing the support you need.
Usually you’ll need to be in work, be trying to get a job, or have been self-employed for more than 3 years to get any help from them.
How easy is it to apply? Very! Although wait times can be upwards of six months.
Council Tax Discount – Living costs you can claim for
How to claim? Phone your local council.
What is it? You may be able to get money off your council tax bill if you qualify for the disabled band reductions scheme. It’s designed to stop disabled people from paying more money on council tax, simply because they need a larger house than they would otherwise.
How easy is it to apply? Easy.
Warm home discount – Living costs you can claim for
How to claim? Call your energy provider.
What is it? Your energy provider may be able to provide you with some account credit to help you heat your home over the winter, thanks to this government scheme.
Your energy provider can also add you to a priority list, to ensure that if your power goes off it’s reinstalled as quickly as possible.
How easy is it to apply? Difficult. The eligibility has greatly reduced.
Water bill discount – Living costs you can claim for
How to claim? Call your water provider (clean water).
What is it? Each provider is different, but some provide a service where they can ‘cap’ your bills if you’re disabled. They can also add you to a priority list, to ensure that if your water goes off it’s reinstated as quickly as possible.
How easy is it to apply? Easy.
Get ‘free’ cinema tickets for carers – Living costs you can claim for
How to claim? Visit the website. Home – CEA Card
What is it? The CEA card, developed by the UK Cinema Association (formerly the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association, which explains the name), gets you one free ticket for someone to accompany you when you visit the cinema and pay the full price yourself. The idea is this person can assist you with anything you need during your visit, but they don’t have to be a professional carer – a friend or family member counts too.
You’ll need to pay £6 for the card which lasts for a year.
How easy is it to apply? Easy.
Get access to 9000+ Disabled toilets around the UK – Daily Life
How to claim? Call your local council.
What is it? The National Key Scheme offers disabled people access to locked, accessible toilets around the UK. They aim to ensure these toilets are kept free for those who need them.
You can ask your council to assist you with getting a radar key. There usually is a small charge of £4.
How easy is it to apply? Easy.
Blind or severely sight impaired?
Although I myself am not sight-impaired, I’ve heard about some help that’s available. It would be worth looking into ‘The blind person’s allowance’ and getting 50% off your TV license if you’re blind.
Something to note: If you’re registered disabled, you’re then exempt from VAT on certain goods or services, such as wheelchairs, stairlifts, and medical equipment. You also don’t need to pay VAT on repair costs for these items.
At the moment, this is all the help and assistance I’m aware of. If I’ve missed anything, please do let me know!
