On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Personal Independence Payments (PIP)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Universal Credit (UC)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Disabled student\u2019s allowance (DSA)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Access to Work<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Attendance Allowance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Paying for your care<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We also have separate pages about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Disability grants<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help with energy and food costs<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help with transport and travel costs<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specific funding for sport and leisure activities<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specific support during the cost of living crisis<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\nSense is here for you at every stage of life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We support disabled people with complex needs of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From our free play sessions for children under eight, to our adult residential care services<\/a>, we\u2019re with disabled people and their families every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get in touch with our team to find out more about Sense services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nContact us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\nPersonal Independence Payments (PIP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you are 16 or over. The Adult Disability Payment helps with extra living costs in Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are eligible if the following three things apply to you: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The difficulties you have are expected to last for at least 12 months from when they started. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can get PIP even if you\u2019re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll need to fill in a form and may be asked to go for an assessment to find out more about how your disability affects your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two parts to PIP:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Daily living \u2013 this part covers help you may need with everyday life, like washing, dressing and preparing food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mobility \u2013 this part covers support you may need to get around, from planning a route to using public transport.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a lower and higher rate for each part and you\u2019ll be paid every four weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find out how to apply for PIP in England and Wales here.
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You can find out more about applying for PIP in Northern Ireland here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can find out more about the Adult Disability Payment in Scotland here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Citizens\u2019 Advice can help you prepare for an assessment.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is a benefit you can apply for if your disability affects how much you can work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might be able to get Universal Credit (UC)<\/a> as well as, or instead of, new style ESA, depending on your National Insurance record. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can apply if you\u2019re employed, self-employed or unemployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But you need to have been in work in the past, and to have paid enough national insurance contributions. It means it won\u2019t be suitable when you first leave education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESA gives you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Help with living costs if you\u2019re unable to work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Support to get back into work if you\u2019re able to.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Find out how to apply for ESA.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Universal Credit (UC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This helps you with living costs and replaces a lot of older benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a disabled person, you can claim UC if you\u2019re on a low income or need help with your living costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could be working (including self-employed or part-time) or be out of work, you usually need to be 18 or over, and to have less than \u00a316,000 in savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also claim UC if you\u2019re in full-time education, have limited capability for work and qualify for PIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out how to apply for Universal Credit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disabled students\u2019 allowance (DSA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This can help to covers the costs that may be involved in supporting you to study at higher education level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The disability adviser at your college or university should be able to tell you how to apply for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Access to Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Access to Work is a scheme that provides practical support to make work accessible. In turn, this helps people with a disability, health or mental health condition to get into and stay in work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can include a grant to help pay for things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- BSL interpreters, lip speakers or note-takers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Adaptations to a vehicle you use to get to work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Special computer equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
A grant through Access to Work doesn\u2019t affect any other benefits you get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attendance Allowance <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you\u2019ve reached state pension age and have a disability that means you need someone to help with your care needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s paid at two different rates. How much you get depends on the level of care you need because of your disability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t cover mobility needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other benefits you get can increase if you get Attendance Allowance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You do not have to have someone caring for you to claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government\u2019s Disability Service Centre can give you advice about Attendance Allowance. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Citizens\u2019 Advice can help you to check if you\u2019re entitled to Attendance Allowance and to fill in the form. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nAre you a carer, or do you have a disabled child under 16?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n ![\"Nicola](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nicola-_-Rebecca-47-1-400x200.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n \n \n\n \n Support for carers\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tAs a carer, you have rights and it\u2019s important to know what practical, emotional and financial help is available.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n ![\"Child](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Child-high-fiving-woman-600x300.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n \n \n\n \n Benefits and financial help for parents of disabled children\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThis page gives a brief overview of the financial support for parents of disabled children in the UK.\u00a0\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPaying for your care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about who pays for social care services.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/190524_sense_barnet_selects_edit_052-1-600x300.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n \n \n\n \n Paying for care and support for disabled people with complex needs\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tThe different ways your care and support can be paid for as an adult with complex needs.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n ![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Sense-Loughborough-Final-Selection-Office-Skills-_Counting-Money_-11-600x300.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n \n \n\n \n Personal budgets and direct payments\n <\/a>\n <\/h2>\n\n \n
\n\t\t\tA personal budget is an amount of money that the local authority agrees to pay for your care. It can be paid as direct payments.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nOther sources of advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about the financial help available if you\u2019re disabled from Gov.uk.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Help with energy and food costs<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ths-sense-harry-sarah-storyteller-13337-scaled-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n