Disability Benefits UK: Full List of Benefits You Can Claim in 2025

Knowing what benefits are available for disabled children and their carers in the UK can be tricky. This guide will go through the different types of financial support available to make sure you’re getting everything you and your family are entitled to.

From extra cash for everyday needs to specific payments for care or mobility, here’s everything you need to know about the main benefits you can claim.

What Benefits Are Available for Disabled Children?

There are quite a few benefits aimed at helping disabled children and their carers. These include support for extra costs, help with day-to-day care, and assistance with mobility. Let’s take a look at the main benefits for disabled people, how they work, and how you can claim them.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 who have a physical disability, mental health condition, or other disabilities that make everyday life more challenging. DLA has two parts: the care component and the mobility component.

The care component is for children who need extra help with everyday tasks like eating, dressing, or washing. It has three rates:

• Lower rate: £28.70 per week for children who need some help during the day.
• Middle rate: £72.65 per week for children who need frequent help during the day, or help during the night, or someone to watch over them.
• Higher rate: £108.55 per week for children who need help throughout both the day and night or are terminally ill.

The mobility component is for children who have difficulties walking or getting around. It also has two rates:

• Lower rate: £28.70 per week for children who can walk but need extra guidance or supervision.
• Higher rate: £75.75 per week for children who have severe walking difficulties or are unable to walk safely.

Children can qualify for one or both parts of DLA, depending on their needs. The amount you get depends on how much care and supervision your child requires due to their disability.

How to Apply for DLA:

Head to the DLA section on the GOV.UK website to download the application form, or call 0800 121 4600 to request a form by post.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for those aged 16 and over with long-term physical or mental health conditions that affect their daily lives. It replaces DLA once someone turns 16 and helps cover extra living costs related to disabilities that impact daily activities or mobility.

PIP has two components:

The daily living part is for people who need help with certain everyday tasks like cooking, washing, and dressing. It has two rates:

• Standard rate: £72.65 per week.
• Enhanced rate: £108.55 per week.

The mobility part helps people who have problems moving around or getting out and about. It also has two rates:

• Standard rate: £28.70 per week.
• Enhanced rate: £75.75 per week.

The amount of PIP you receive depends on how your condition affects your daily life, not just the diagnosis. The rates range from around £26.90 to £172.75 per week, depending on your needs.

How to Apply for PIP:

Call the PIP claim line at 0800 917 2222 to start your application and request the form, or visit the GOV.UK website for more details.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for those who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets DLA, PIP, or Attendance Allowance. You don’t need to live with or be related to the person you care for to receive this benefit.

To qualify, you must:

• Be aged 16 or over and care for someone at least 35 hours a week.
• The person you care for must receive the middle or higher rate of the care component of DLA or any rate of the daily living component of PIP.
• Your earnings must be £139 a week or less after deductions like tax, national insurance, and some pension contributions.
• You cannot be in full-time education.

The current rate for Carer’s Allowance is £76.75 per week. It can affect other benefits you or the person you care for receive. If you’re eligible, you’ll also get National Insurance credits, which count towards your state pension.

How to Apply for Carer’s Allowance:

You can apply for Carer’s Allowance online by visiting the Carer’s Allowance section on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, call 0800 731 0297 to get a form sent to you.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs for people on low incomes, those out of work, or unable to work due to a health condition or disability.

Universal Credit includes a disabled child element that provides extra financial support for families with a disabled child. The amount depends on the level of disability:

• Lower rate: £156.11  per month for children on the lower rate of DLA or the standard rate of the daily living component of PIP.
• Higher rate: £487.58 per month for children on the middle or higher rate of DLA care or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP.

How to Apply for Universal Credit:

You can apply for Universal Credit online. Go to the Universal Credit page on the GOV.UK website to create an account and submit your application.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provides financial help if a disability or health condition affects how much you can work. It also offers support to get back into work when you’re able. ESA is available in two types:

• Contribution-based ESA: Based on National Insurance contributions.
• Income-related ESA: For those on low incomes and is means-tested, meaning it depends on your income and savings.

The rates for ESA depend on your circumstances but generally start at £74.70 per week for those under 25 and £94.15 per week for those 25 and older. You may get more if you’re placed in the support group due to a more severe condition.

How to Apply for ESA:

You can apply for ESA online through the GOV.UK website. If you need help or prefer not to apply online, call 0800 328 5644.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is for people over the state pension age who need help with personal care due to a physical disability or other health conditions. It helps cover the extra living costs associated with needing a carer but doesn’t cover mobility needs.

There are two rates:

• Lower rate: £72.65 per week for those needing frequent help during the day or night.
• Higher rate: £108.55 per week for those needing help throughout both day and night or are terminally ill.

How to Apply for Attendance Allowance:

Visit the Attendance Allowance page on the GOV.UK website to download the form, or call 0800 731 0122 to request one by post.

Other Benefits and Financial Support

In addition to the major benefits outlined, several other supports may be available:

• Child Benefit: You can claim child benefit for each child you’re responsible for. This is not means-tested, so most families are eligible.
• Tax Credits: Some families can receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, especially if they are on low income.
• Disabled Facilities Grants: Grants to help adapt homes to make them more accessible for disabled people, such as installing ramps or modifying bathrooms.
• Housing Benefit: Available for those on low incomes to help with rent payments.
• Carer’s Credit: Helps fill gaps in your National Insurance record if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week, even if you don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance.

Overall

Knowing the different benefits available to disabled children and their carers can significantly help with the extra costs and challenges that come with disabilities. Whether it’s Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit, or Carer’s Allowance, make sure to keep your circumstances updated with the Department for Work and Pensions, as changes might make you eligible for additional support.

FAQs

What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for children under 16 who have a disability that requires extra care or impacts their mobility. It consists of two parts: care and mobility components, with various rates depending on the child’s needs.

How can I claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?

You can claim PIP if you are over 16 and have a long-term health condition that affects your daily life. The process involves an assessment of how your condition impacts your ability to perform everyday tasks.

What is the difference between DLA and PIP?

DLA is for children under 16, while PIP is for individuals over 16 with a disability difficulty that affects their daily living or mobility. Both are designed to help cover extra costs due to disability.

Can carers claim benefits?

Yes, carers can claim Carer’s Allowance if they provide substantial care (at least 35 hours a week) to someone who receives certain disability benefits. They may also be eligible for Carer’s Credit and Universal Credit.

Does claiming disability benefits affect other benefits?

Claiming some benefits, like Attendance Allowance, can increase other benefits you receive. However, some, such as Carer’s Allowance, may impact means-tested benefits like Universal Credit.

How does the mobility component of DLA work?

The mobility component of DLA assists with additional transport costs if a child has difficulty walking or needs help moving around.

What is the disabled child element of Universal Credit?

The disabled child element is an additional payment within Universal Credit to support families with disabled children, helping cover extra living costs.

Do I need a formal diagnosis to claim disability benefits?

While a formal diagnosis can be helpful, you do not necessarily need one to claim benefits. However, you will need to demonstrate how the child’s condition affects their daily life.

Can I claim benefits if my child’s circumstances change?

Yes, if your child’s condition affects their ability to perform everyday tasks or if their needs increase, you should notify the DWP as this may affect your eligibility for higher benefits or additional support.