Benefits and support for disabled people

A calculator on a blue background

Benefits calculator 

You can use a free, independent and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you might be eligible for. This tool can estimate:

  • the benefits you could receive
  • the potential amount of your benefit payments
  • how your benefits might change if you start working or increase your hours
  • how your benefits could be impacted by changes in your circumstances, such as having a child or moving in with a partner

See what you are eligible for by visiting the Benefits calculator on the government website.

Some of the benefits you may be eligible for include:

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs.  You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

You could be:

  • out of work
  • working (including self-employed or part time)
  • unable to work, for example because of a health condition

To claim you must:

  • live in the UK
  • be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
  • be under State Pension age
  • have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

Universal Credit is paid monthly. How much you get depends on:

  • your standard allowance
  • any extra amounts that apply to you
  • any money taken off your payment
  • if you’re working, how much you earn 

Find out more information and how much you could get by visiting the Universal Credit page on the Government website.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can assist with additional living expenses if you have:

  • a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
  • difficulty performing certain daily tasks or moving around due to your condition

You can receive PIP even if you are employed, have savings, or receive most other benefits.

PIP is divided into two areas:

  • daily living: for assistance with everyday tasks
  • mobility: for help with getting around

The amount you receive and whether you qualify for one or both parts depends on the level of difficulty you experience with daily activities and mobility.

To find out if you are eligible visit the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) page on the Government website.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people with disabilities, but it has largely been replaced by PIP for adults. Adults aged 16 or over who are applying for financial support with their disability or health condition should apply for PIP instead of DLA.

However, if you are already receiving DLA and were born on or before 8 April 1948, you may continue to receive it. If you were born after this date and currently receive DLA, you will eventually be invited to apply for PIP as the DLA scheme is gradually phased out for adults.

To learn more about eligibility and the application process, visit the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) page on the Government website.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance provides financial support to help with additional costs if you have a disability severe enough to require assistance with personal care.

This benefit is paid at two different rates, determined by the level of care you need due to your disability.

You may be eligible for this support if you:

  • have a physical or mental disability
  • are of State Pension age or older

Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs. However, receiving it could make you eligible for additional benefits like Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax reduction.

To find out if you are eligible visit the Attendance Allowance page on the Government website.

You do not need to have a carer to claim this benefit. However, if you do have a carer and you require significant care, they may be able to claim a Carer’s Allowance

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit designed to support people who care for someone with a disability. You do not need to be related to or live with the person you care for to be eligible.

You may be eligible for this support if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they receive one of the following benefits:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance (middle or highest rate for personal care)
  • Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension 

You are not eligible for Carer's Allowance if you are in full-time education (21 hours or more of supervised study per week) or if your earnings exceed £100 per week after deductions such as Income Tax.

To find out if you are eligible visit Carer's Allowance page on the Government website.

Find out about support for unpaid carer's in Bexley

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that impacts your ability to work.

ESA provides:

  • financial assistance to help with living expenses if you are unable to work
  • support to help you return to work if you are able

You can apply whether you are employed, self-employed, or unemployed.

You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you are under State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that limits your ability to work.

To qualify, you must meet both of the following criteria:

  • have worked as an employee or been self-employed
  • have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions, typically within the last 2 to 3 years - National Insurance credits also count.

For more information visit the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) page on the Government website.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are sick or disabled because of something that happened in connection with your work. 

You may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if:

  • you were employed when the accident or event happened
  • you were on an approved employment training scheme or course when the accident or event happened
  • the work accident or event that caused your illness or disability happened in England, Scotland or Wales

You can claim IIDB if you were employed in a job or were on an approved employment training scheme or course that caused your disease. 

For more information visit the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit page on the Government website. 

Access to Work

Access to Work can assist you in securing or maintaining employment if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The type of support you receive will be tailored to your specific needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

  • a grant to help cover the cost of practical support in the workplace
  • assistance in managing your mental health at work
  • financial aid for communication support during job interviews

Access to Work may provide a grant to help cover costs for:

  • specialised equipment and assistive software
  • support workers, such as a British Sign Language interpreter, job coach, or travel companion
  • travel expenses to work if you are unable to use public transportation
  • vehicle adaptations to help you commute
  • physical modifications to your workplace 

For more information visit the Access to Work page on the Government website. 

Image
Bexley Business and Employment logo

Support with finding work

Bexley Business & Employment (BBE) provides a free job search service for Bexley residents. Advisors will take the time to understand your skills and career goals, offering the guidance and resources necessary to help you find the ideal job. 

Visit Bexley Business & Employment to find out how they can help you find work in Bexley.

 

Bexley Twofold logo

Supported employment (Bexley Twofold)

  • Bexley Twofold is the job search, skills, and supported employment service for adult residents in Bexley, with a learning disability who require support to access training and employment opportunities. The long-term aim is to help service users obtain and sustain suitable paid employment
  • Delivery includes the Learning for Work pre-employment course, work experience and assistance with job search and interviews, supported employment onsite with the client and the employer and support with job losses to find alternative employment quickly so skills and experience are not lost 

Visit the Bexley Twofold page to find out more.