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Benefits for people with a learning disability and their carers

If you have a learning disability or you are caring for someone with a disability it is important to  make sure you are getting the financial support you are entitled to. There are a range of benefits available and we have included information about the ones we believe are most relevant to people with a learning disability and their carers.

For further information about benefits, please visit www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

Disability Benefits

If someone has a disability they might be eligible for help through one of the four main benefits for disabled people:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

DLA is being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people. Someone can only make a new DLA claim if they are under 16.f you are over 16 you cannot apply for DLA.

If you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it.If you were born after 8 April 1948, your DLA will end. You’ll get a letter telling you when that will happen. You’ll continue to get DLA until that date.Unless your circumstances change, you do not need to do anything until you get this letter.

DLA is tax free. It is not means-tested and getting it will not reduce entitlement to Pension Credit.

Read more about DLA for adults.

A woman is taking cash out of a purse.

 

Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)  helps with the extra costs caused by a disability if you are aged 16 to 64.

PIP can help towards paying some of the extra costs disabled people face, such as paying for support around the home or using the money to pay for taxis to help you get around.

PIP is usually paid every 4 weeks and can be paid if you’re in or out of work. It is made up of two components (parts). Whether you get one or both of these depends on how your condition affects you.

PIP is a non-means tested, tax free benefit, which you can spend in a way that best meets your needs. It is not treated as income when Pension Credit is worked out.

Daily living component weekly rate:

  • standard – £72.65
  • enhanced – £108.55.

Mobility component weekly rate:

  • standard – £28.70
  • enhanced – £75.75.

The rate you get depends on how the condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll need an assessment to work out the level of help you get.

Your rate will be regularly reassessed to make sure you’re getting the right support. Your disability or health condition You must have a long-term health condition or disability and face difficulties with ‘daily living’ or getting around.

You must have had these difficulties for three months and expect them to last for at least nine months, unless you’re terminally ill (you don’t expect to live more than six months).

Daily Living Difficulties

You may get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with things like:

  • preparing or eating food
  • washing, bathing and using the toilet
  • dressing and undressing
  • reading and communicating
  • managing your medicines or treatments
  • making decisions about money
  • engaging with other people.

Mobility difficulties

You may get the mobility component of PIP if you need help going out or moving around.

Read more about PIP.

Videos explaining PIP

Visit YouTube for videos by the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) to help people who are claiming or about to claim PIP.

 

Attendance Allowance

If someone is State Pension age or over, and not getting DLA or PIP, they may be entitled to Attendance Allowance if they have needs in relation to personal care or require supervision to stay safe. There is no mobility component to Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance is paid at 2 different weekly rates, depending on how the disability affects someone:

  • higher rate £108.55
  • lower rate £72.65.

Attendance Allowance is tax-free. It is not means-tested and getting it will not reduce entitlement to Pension Credit.

Read more about Attendance Allowance.

 

Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

AFIP provides financial support to service personnel and veterans seriously injured as a result of service to cover the extra costs they may have as a result of their injury. Individuals awarded a Guaranteed Income Payment of 50% or higher under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme will be eligible.

Those eligible will receive a flat rate equivalent to the enhanced rates of both components (mobility and daily living) of PIP.

AFIP is not treated as income when Pension Credit is worked out.

Read more about AFIP.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

Pension Credit is a gateway to other help, such as Housing Benefit, Cost of Living Payments, Support for Mortgage Interest, a Council Tax Discount, a free TV licence help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs, help with your heating costs through the Warm House Discount Scheme and a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service. 

Read more about Pension Credit.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers.

It is a benefit paid to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. It is paid at a basic rate of £81.90 a week (from April 2024).

You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you are 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week or more for someone who is ill or disabled.  You can get Carer’s Allowance if you are caring for someone who is in receipt of DLA or PIPs at the middle or highest rate for personal care. Your earnings must be £151 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

Read more about Carer’s Allowance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Visit Carers UK for factsheets and guides.

An older man is helping a disabled man in a wheelchair eat a meal.

 

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly.

You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits and tax credits:

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

If you’re getting any of these benefits or tax credits, you do not need to do anything unless either:

  • your circumstances change
  • you get a letter called a ‘Migration Notice’ telling you that you must claim Universal Credit.

Read more about Universal Credit.