Money Wellness

Disability, sickness and carer benefits

If you have a disability or long-term illness, or you’re caring for someone who does, you may be able to claim certain benefits. This guide provides an overview of what benefits are available and how to make a claim.

A person and their carer

Disability living allowance for children

This is a tax-free benefit for under 16s to help with the costs of a long-term illness or disability. Check if you qualify on the government website.

To apply, print off and fill in the DLA claim form. Or phone the DLA helpline and ask them to send you a form:

Telephone: 0800 121 4600

Textphone: 0800 121 4523

Find out about call charges.

A mother and her child

Disability living allowance for adults

Personal independence payment (PIP) and adult disability payment is slowly replacing DLA for adults with long-term health problems or disabilities. If you’re a pensioner, you can apply for attendance allowance instead.

If you already get DLA, you’ll get a letter telling you when you’ll need to switch to PIP or adult disability payment.

A person applying for PIP

Personal independence payment

PIP is a tax-free benefit for over-16s who haven’t reached state pension age. It’s designed to help with the extra costs of having a long-term health problem or a disability.

Check if you qualify on the government website.

To apply, ring:

Telephone: 0800 917 2222

Textphone: 0800 917 7777

Find out about call charges.

You’ll need:

  • your contact details
  • your date of birth
  • your national insurance number
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code
  • the name, address and phone number of your doctor or health worker
  • dates of any time spent in a care home or hospital
  • addresses of any care homes or hospitals you’ve spent time in
  • dates of time spent abroad that lasted four weeks or more, and the countries you went to

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Attendance allowance

This is a tax-free benefit for people who:

  • have reached state pension age
  • have a disability
  • need someone to help look after them

Check if you qualify on the government website.

To apply, print and fill in the attendance allowance claim form. Or phone the helpline and ask them to send you a form:

Telephone: 0800 731 0122

Textphone: 0800 731 0317

Find out about call charges.

A pensioner and their carer

Employment and support allowance

You may be able to get this if you can’t work because of an illness or a disability.

Check if you qualify and apply on the government website.

You’ll need:

  • your national insurance number
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code
  • the name, address and phone number of your doctor
  • a fit note
  • details of your income (if you’re working)
  • the date your statutory sick pay ends (if you’re claiming it)
Person on the phone asking a question

Carer’s allowance

This provides extra money to help you look after someone with significant caring needs.

Check if you qualify and apply on the government website.

You’ll need:

  • your national insurance number
  • your bank or building society account number and sort code
  • employment details and most recent payslip (if you’re working)
  • P45 (if you’ve recently finished work)
  • course information (if you’re studying)
  • details of any expenses e.g. the cost of caring for the disabled/ill person while you’re at work
  • the date of birth and address of the person you care for
  • the national insurance number of the person you care for (if they’re over 16)
  • the DLA reference of the person you care for (if they’re under 16)
Person on their laptop with coins

Carer’s credit

This is designed to prevent gaps in your national insurance record as a result of caring responsibilities.

Check if you qualify on the government website.

To apply, print off and fill in the carer’s credit claim form. Or phone the carer’s allowance unit and ask them to send you a form:

Telephone: 0800 731 0297

Textphone: 0800 731 0317

Find out about call charges.

Person using their laptop

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