Check what benefits to claim if you’re sick or disabled
You might be able to claim benefits if:
- you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
- you can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
- you’re on a low income or you have no income
Coronavirus - get help from your council or local volunteer groups
If you're disabled you can ask your council for help with getting food or medicine. You can also get support from local volunteer groups.
If you got ill or were injured at work
You might be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). You can get IIDB at the same time as most other disability benefits. Check if you can get IIDB.
If you got sick or were injured in the Armed Forces
You might be able to get:
- one off compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pension Scheme
- a pension or Guaranteed Income Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Check what to claim if you got sick or were injured in the Armed Forces on GOV.UK.
If you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
You might be able to get:
- Child Disability Payment if you're under 16 - check if you can get Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment if you're 16 or over and haven't reached State Pension age - check if you can get Adult Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age – check if you can get Attendance Allowance
You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.
If you are disabled and you live in Scotland, check if you can apply for an award from the Independent Living Fund on mygov.scot.
If someone looks after you
If you get PIP, DLA, Child Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance, check if the person who looks after you can get Carer’s Allowance.
If the person who looks after you is 16 to 18 years, check if they can get Young Carer Grant.
If you can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
If you’re employed but you can’t work, you’ll usually get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer for 28 weeks – check if you should get SSP.
You should check if you can get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if:
- you’re employed but you can’t get SSP – for example if you’re not earning enough
- your SSP has ended
- you’re not employed
If you’re on a low income or you have no income
You should check if you can get Universal Credit.
If you can’t work, you should get a ‘fit note’ from your GP and send this with your claim form. Check how Universal Credit works for people who are sick or disabled.
You might be able to get other benefits, for example:
- Pension Credit if you’ve reached State Pension age – check if you can get Pension Credit
- Council Tax Reduction if you pay Council Tax – check if you can get Council Tax Reduction
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) if you’re looking for work – check if you can get JSA
You can also check what other help you can get.