There are a number of forms of support, both practical and financial, that disabled people and their carers can access. These can be provided following an assessment by social services.

Currently, the major forms of financial support include Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Premiums (Income Support), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Access to Work, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance. Further financial support includes Disabled Facilities Grants. There are other grants and sources of help for certain circumstances, for example students, and specific disabilities – social services or local organisations should be able to provide further information where applicable.

DLA is being phased out, so new applicants aged 16 to 64 should instead claim for PIP. PIP is designed to help with extra costs and is £21 to £134.40 a week (Crown Copyright, 2013a). DLA is still available for children under 16, varying between £21 and £134.40 a week (Crown Copyright, 2013b). Disability Premiums (Income Support) is an extra amount of Income Support, at least £31 a week for single people and £42.20 a week for couples (Crown Copyright, 2013c).

ESA can be claimed by those unable to work or, alternatively, to provide assistance to help with work; the amount received depends upon personal income and the type of ESA awarded. Access to Work gives further financial support for those in work or seeking work, for example, for transport or equipment costs.

Attendance Allowance is available to those aged 65 or more that suffer from a physical or mental disability; it is paid at two rates, a lower rate of £53 and higher rate of £79.15 a week (Crown Copyright, 2013d).

Carer’s Allowance of £59.75 a week is available to those looking after a disabled person for 35 hours a week or more (Crown Copyright, 2013e). If eligible, carers should also apply for Carer’s Credit, available to those caring for someone for 20 hours a week or more, which pays for National Insurance.

Disabled Facilities Grants are one-off payments to enable disabled people to make adjustments to their homes, for example, to install ramps or otherwise improve access. Grants are affected by personal income and savings and living arrangements, but could be up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland; amounts in Scotland vary according to local authorities (Crown Copyright, 2013f).

References

Crown Copyright, 2013a. Personal Independence Payment (PIP). https://www.gov.uk/pip/overview

Crown Copyright, 2013b. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children. https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children

Crown Copyright, 2013c. Disability Premiums (Income Support). https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums-income-support/overview

Crown Copyright, 2013d. Attendance Allowance. https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/what-youll-get

Crown Copyright, 2013e. Carer’s Allowance. https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance