Benefits for People who are Sick or Disabled
People with a long‑term illness or disability may be able to access financial support to help with daily living, mobility and extra costs. These benefits are designed to support people whose condition affects their independence, wellbeing or ability to work.
Support is usually based on how your condition affects your day‑to‑day life, rather than your diagnosis. You may still be able to claim whether you are working, on a low income, or receiving other benefits, depending on your circumstances.
There are a range of benefits available each with its own eligibility rules and assessment process.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is a benefit for people with disabilities or long‑term health conditions.
- Helps with disability related living costs.
- You can claim whether you:
- Work or not
- Have savings or not
- It is not means‑tested - this means income and savings do not affect it.
- Not Taxable - this means you will not pay income tax on this money.
Who can claim PIP
You usually need to:
- Be aged 16 to State Pension age
- Have a physical or mental health condition
- Have difficulties with:
- Everyday tasks and/or
- Getting around
- Have had these difficulties:
- For at least 3 months, and
- Expect them to last 9 months or more
What PIP is based on
PIP looks at how your condition affects your daily life, not your diagnosis.
- You do not need a specific condition
- Two people with the same condition may get different awards
The 2 parts of PIP
1. Daily Living component
For help with everyday activities such as:
- Preparing food
- Washing and bathing
- Dressing
- Managing medication
- Communicating
- Managing money
- Social interaction
2. Mobility component
For help with getting around:
- Moving physically
- Planning and following journeys
- Leaving the home
How PIP is assessed
You are assessed on your ability to complete activities:
- Daily living (around 10 activities)
- Mobility (2 activities)
Each activity is scored using a points system:
- 8 points = standard rate
- 12+ points = enhanced rate
Assessment process
- Make a claim (phone and answer some questions to get the claim form)
- Fill in a form: answering the questions “How your disability affects you”
- You may be asked to attend an assessment usually on the phone or in person.
- DWP makes a decision
Key benefits of PIP
Getting PIP can:
- Increase Universal Credit
- Increase Housing Benefit
- Allow a carer to claim Carer’s Allowance
- Provide access to:
- Motability scheme (for vehicles)
- Blue Badge (in some cases)
Important notes
- You can get PIP even if you work
- You can get PIP alongside other benefits
- If you are over State Pension age and making a new claim you usually need to claim Attendance Allowance instead.
Easy summary - Employment Support Allowance ESA
ESA stands for Employment and Support Allowance.
ESA is money from the Government to help people who are poorly or disabled.
It helps people who:
-
- Are too ill to work
- Or need extra support before they can work again
What is ESA?
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a UK benefit that provides financial support and personalised help to work for people whose health condition or disability affects their ability to work.
It is designed to:
- Help with living costs if you cannot work or can only work limited hours
- Support people to move towards work when and if they are able
Who is ESA for?
ESA is for people who:
- Have a physical or mental health condition or disability
- Are unable to work, or can only work a limited amount
- Are below State Pension age
Types of ESA
There are two main types (new claims are now limited):
New Style ESA (Contribution‑based)
You may qualify if:
- You have a health condition or disability
- You’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions (in the last 2–3 years)
- You are not working, or work under permitted limits
This type is still available for new claims.
Income‑Related ESA
- Based on household income and savings
- Closed to new claims
- Replaced by Universal Credit
Only applies if you already receive it.
Work Capability Assessment
When you claim ESA, you usually have a Work Capability Assessment to decide how your condition affects you. You’ll be placed into one of two groups:
Support Group
- Your condition severely limits your ability to work
- You are not expected to prepare for work
- You receive a higher rate
Work‑Related Activity Group (WRAG)
- Your condition limits work, but you may prepare for future work
- You may attend work‑focused interviews or activities
- In the Work Related Activity Group you do not receive a higher rate.
How much is ESA?
The amount depends on:
- Your age
- The ESA group you’re placed in
- Whether it’s New Style or income‑related ESA
ESA is usually paid every two weeks.
ESA and Universal Credit
- Many people who would previously have claimed ESA now claim Universal Credit instead
- Some people receive both Universal Credit and New Style ESA
Easy summary - Statutory Sick Pay
- Statutory Sick Pay helps people when they are ill
- It is paid by the employer
- It gives money while someone rests and recovers
- It helps people feel more secure when sick
What is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is money from an employer to help someone when they are too sick to work.
It means:
- You still get some money
- Even when you cannot go to work because you are ill
Who can get Statutory Sick Pay?
A person may get SSP if they:
- Have a job
- Are too sick to work
- Have been ill for 4 days in a row or more
- Earn enough money each week
SSP is paid by the employer, not the government.
What kinds of illness count?
People may get SSP if they:
- Are ill with something like flu
- Have an injury
- Have a long‑term health condition
- Need time to recover
They may need to give:
- A sick note from a doctor (for longer illness)
How much is Statutory Sick Pay?
- SSP is a weekly amount of money
- It is less than normal wages
- It can be paid for up to 28 weeks
When does SSP stop?
SSP usually stops when:
- The person is well enough to return to work, or
- They have been paid SSP for 28 weeks
After that, they may need to claim:
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
Does SSP affect other benefits?
Yes, sometimes.
- SSP is treated like wages
- Some people may still get extra support if their income is low
Easy summary - War Pensions
- War Pensions support people hurt or made ill by military service
- They can help veterans and their families
- They are not based on money or savings
- They recognise and support service and sacrifice people have given
What are War Pensions?
War Pensions are money and support from the Government for people who were hurt or made ill because of military service.
This includes people who:
- Served in the Army, Navy, RAF, or other Armed Forces
- Were injured or became unwell because of their service
Who are War Pensions for?
War Pensions can help:
- Veterans (people who served in the Armed Forces)
- Widows, widowers, or families of someone who died because of service
Why do people get a War Pension?
Some people were:
- Injured during training or active service
- Made ill by things like loud noise, heavy work, or dangerous conditions
War Pensions help them:
- Manage daily life
- Pay for care or support
What help can War Pensions give?
War Pensions may include:
- Regular payments (money)
- Income to help with care needs
- Support with health or mobility
- Extra money if injuries are serious
Does it depend on money or savings?
No.
- War Pensions are not based on income or savings
- They can be paid on top of other benefits
Do War Pensions affect other benefits?
Usually: War Pensions do not affect most other benefits
Some people can get extra help because they receive a War Pension
Is this the same as Industrial Injuries?
No, they are different:
-
War Pensions - for injuries from military service
-
Industrial Injuries - for injuries from jobs or work
Easy summary - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Industrial Injuries Benefit helps people hurt or made ill by work
- It is for long‑term problems caused by a job
- It is not based on money or savings
- It can be paid with other benefits
What are Industrial Injuries?
Industrial Injuries are injuries or illnesses that happen because of someone’s job.
The government may give money called Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) to help.
What is Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit?
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is money from the government for people who are:
- Hurt at work, or
- Made ill because of their job
It helps if the problem lasts a long time.
What kinds of jobs can cause industrial injuries?
This can happen in jobs where people:
- Lift heavy things
- Use loud machines
- Breathe in dust, fumes, or chemicals
- Work with tools or machines
- Do the same movements again and again
Examples of problems include:
- Bad backs
- Lung problems
- Hearing loss
- Joint pain
- Skin problems
Who can get Industrial Injuries Benefit?
A person may be able to get it if they:
- Were employed (not self‑employed in most cases)
- Were injured at work
- Or became ill because of their job
- Still have problems because of it
The job does not have to be current – it can be from the past.
Does it depend on money or savings?
No.
It does not depend on income or savings
It can be paid on top of other benefits
Does the injury have to be serious?
The government checks:
- How badly the injury or illness affects them
This is called a disablement assessment.
The more it affects them, the more help they may get.
How is the money paid?
- Money is usually paid every week or every month
- It goes into a bank account
Some people get:
- A small amount
- A larger amount if the injury affects them a lot