Disability help: Disability help

Universal Credit 

Universal credit has replaced: 

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit 

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:

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

You can claim Universal Credit if you:

• Are on a low income or out of work
• Are 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
• Are under State Pension age (or your partner is)
• You and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
• You live in the UK

Help With Health Costs 

If you are receiving Universal Credit, you may be able to receive help with health costs such as prescription charges, dental care, eye care, etc.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) 

***Please be aware that the information on PIP is correct as of July 2024. In April 2024, the government published a Green Paper which details the proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment process, eligibility criteria and the type of support it plans to offer. At the time of writing this page, we do not know what changes this will have on PIP. PoTS UK are extremely concerned about how these changes will affect the PoTS community. This page will be updated when we have further information.***

You can read about the proposed changes here.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:   

• A long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• Difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

The two components of PIP are:

1. Daily living component – if you need help with everyday tasks
2. Mobility component – if you need help with getting around

You may receive either the lower rate or higher rate.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced by PIP for most adults. You’ll keep getting DLA if:

• You are under 16
• You were born on or before 8 April 1948

Other Associated Benefits 

If you are receiving PIP, you may be entitled to the following:

• Motability: This enables those in receipt of the enhanced PIP mobility components to exchange all or part of their benefit for a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. The car scheme includes insurance, servicing, maintenance and many adaptations at no extra cost to the user.  For more details visit www.motability.co.uk.
• Vehicle Tax discount or exemption: The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name. It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.
• Vehicle Tax exemption: Those in receipt of the higher mobility component of PIP can claim exemption from vehicle tax.
• Vehicle Tax reduction: 50% discount is available for those receiving the lower rate of PIP.
• Disabled Car Parking Badge (Blue Badge): If you get Personal Independence Payments (PIP) you are automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you either:
  • scored 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component
  • you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress. 

In England, Scotland and Wales you can apply for a Blue Badge here. 

In Northern Ireland you can apply for a Blue Badge here.

People who aren’t automatically entitled to a blue badge can still apply but will be required to attend an assessment. In some cases a telephone assessment can be made.

Disabled Travel Passes

If you get either the daily living or mobility part of PIP you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard.

For more details visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

You may be able to get a discount on Council Tax and local bus travel. Contact your local council to check.