You can get a range of benefits if you're between 16 and State Pension age and you have an illness or disability. The extra money can help with the cost of your care.
You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.
Check what benefits you can get and how to get them.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
What it is
PIP is for people between 16 and State Pension age who need help at home because of an illness or disability. It has replaced the old Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
You get:
- £57.30 per week (standard payment)
- £85.60 per week if you're more seriously ill (enhanced payment)
If you have difficulty walking and getting around, you could also get:
- an extra £22.65 per week (standard mobility payment)
- an extra £59.75 per week (enhanced mobility payment)
When you can get it
You can get PIP if you're aged 16 to State Pension age and have a long-term illness or disability. You can claim PIP no matter how much you earn or have in savings.
Disability Premium
What it is
Disability Premium is an extra amount added to some benefits. You can get:
- at least £33.55 a week if you're single
- at least £47.80 a week if you're a couple
When you can get it
You can get Disability Premium if you're under State Pension age and you're registered blind or you get PIP or Disability Living Allowance.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
What it is
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a payment of up to £174.80 a week.
When you can get it
You can get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you're disabled because of an accident at work, or you have an illness that was caused by work.
When you cannot get it
You cannot get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you were self-employed at the time of the accident.
Employment and Support Allowance
What it is
Employment and Support Allowance is a payment of:
- up to £73.10 a week if you're assessed as able to work in future
- up to £110.75 a week if you're assessed as unable to work again
When you can get it
You can get Employment and Support Allowance if you have a disability or illness that makes it hard for you to work and you have savings of less than £16,000.
When you cannot get it
You cannot get Employment and Support Allowance if you're getting Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or Universal Credit.
Reduced Earnings Allowance
What it is
Reduced Earnings Allowance is a payment of up to £67.88 a week.
When you can get it
You can get Reduced Earnings Allowance if you work but you cannot earn as much as you used to because of an accident or illness caused by work.
When you cannot get it
You cannot get Employment and Support Allowance if the accident or illness happened after 1 October 1990.
Other benefits if you're under State Pension age
If you get PIP and you work, you might also be able to get the disability element of Working Tax Credit (up to £4,420 a year, depending on how severe your disability is). Call the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900 to find out.
You may also be entitled to:
- Help with NHS health costs
- a Disabled Persons Railcard – which gives you a third off most train journeys
Check what benefits you can get
Carer's Allowance
If you get PIP or another disability related benefit and you have a carer, they may be entitled to Carer's Allowance.
Get help and advice
Get expert benefits advice plus help filling in claim forms, from:
- Citizens Advice Call 03444 111 444
- Gingerbread (for single parents) Call 0808 802 0925
- Family Rights Group Call 0808 801 0366
How to challenge a benefit decision
You can challenge a benefit decision if:
- your benefit payment is stopped
- your claim for a benefit is refused
Carers UK has more about how to challenge a benefit decision.