Benefits Robin
Eligibility Guide14 min read· Updated June 2025

Benefits for Disabled People in the UK: A Complete Overview

An overview of the benefits and support available for disabled people in the UK, including PIP, ESA, Blue Badge, and the additional benefits these can unlock.

Overview of disability benefits

The UK benefits system provides several forms of financial support for people with disabilities and health conditions. The main disability benefits are Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for working-age adults, Attendance Allowance for people over State Pension age, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for those whose health affects their ability to work. These benefits are not means-tested in their main forms — meaning your income, savings, and employment status do not affect eligibility. This is an important distinction from income-based benefits like Universal Credit. You can be working, have savings, and still receive PIP or Attendance Allowance. Disability benefits serve two purposes: they provide income to help with the extra costs of living with a disability, and they act as "gateway" benefits that can unlock significant additional support. Understanding the full range of what is available — and how benefits interact with each other — can make a substantial difference to your financial situation.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP is the main disability benefit for people aged 16 to State Pension age. It has two components: daily living (covering extra costs from needing help with everyday activities) and mobility (covering extra costs from difficulties getting around). Each component is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate. The maximum combined payment is up to £184.30 per week (approximately £9,580 per year) — comprising up to £108.55 for daily living and up to £75.75 for mobility. PIP covers both physical and mental health conditions. You can work full-time, part-time, or be self-employed and still receive PIP. There is no earnings limit. The PIP assessment process involves completing a "How your disability affects you" form (PIP2) and usually attending an assessment with a health professional. The assessment focuses on how your condition affects specific daily activities and mobility — not on your diagnosis. With proper preparation, many claimants find the process manageable. Our guide on PIP assessment tips provides detailed advice on preparing effectively.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

New Style ESA is for people under State Pension age whose health condition or disability limits their ability to work. It is based on your National Insurance contributions, so your savings and partner's income do not affect eligibility. This makes it different from Universal Credit, which is means-tested. After claiming, you undergo a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to determine which group you are placed in. The support group (up to £86.20/week) is for people whose condition means they are not expected to do any work-related activity. The work-related activity group is for people who may be able to work in the future with support. You can claim New Style ESA alongside Universal Credit, which is often advantageous. While the ESA payment may reduce your Universal Credit, having both claims provides additional National Insurance credits and protects your contributory benefit record. You can also do "permitted work" of up to 16 hours per week while receiving ESA.

Blue Badge and mobility support

A Blue Badge allows you to park in designated disabled parking bays, closer to your destination. In England, it also provides free on-street parking and the ability to park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours. Over 2.4 million people in England hold a Blue Badge. You may qualify automatically if you receive the PIP enhanced mobility component (or score 8+ points on the "moving around" activity), the higher rate DLA mobility component, are registered blind, or receive certain Armed Forces benefits. Since 2019, people with hidden disabilities — including severe anxiety, autism, dementia, and cognitive conditions — can also apply. If you receive the PIP enhanced rate mobility component, you may also be eligible for the Motability Scheme, which allows you to lease a car, powered wheelchair, or mobility scooter using part of your PIP mobility payment. The scheme covers insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, and road tax. You can also receive a disability exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) if you receive the PIP enhanced rate mobility component.

What disability benefits can unlock

Receiving a disability benefit can open doors to significant additional support — often worth more than the disability benefit itself. This is why it is so important to claim all the disability benefits you may be eligible for. PIP can unlock: Carer's Allowance for someone who looks after you (up to £81.90/week), Blue Badge and Motability Scheme access, Council Tax disability reduction (moving your property down one band), disability premiums on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, and access to the Disabled Facilities Grant for home adaptations. Attendance Allowance can unlock: a Severe Disability Premium on Pension Credit (up to £81.50/week extra), full Council Tax Reduction (if combined with Pension Credit), Carer's Allowance for a carer, and Warm Home Discount. ESA can provide National Insurance credits, disability premiums on Universal Credit, and access to specialist employment support. These cascading benefits can multiply the value of your initial claim several times over.

Getting help with your claim

Free advice and support is widely available for disability benefit claims. Citizens Advice offers free help with benefit applications and can represent you at tribunals. They have offices nationwide and offer online and telephone advice. Disability-specific charities provide specialist support. Scope covers all disabilities and offers a helpline (0808 800 3333). Mind supports people with mental health conditions (0300 123 3393). The MS Society, Parkinson's UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, and many other condition-specific charities have benefits advisers who understand how your particular condition should be described on benefit forms. Many local councils have free welfare rights services that can help with applications, form-filling, and tribunal representation. Your GP or consultant can provide supporting evidence — ask them for a letter describing how your condition affects your daily life. Benefits Robin can help you check your eligibility for multiple benefits at once and identify which additional benefits your disability benefits could unlock.

Related Benefit Pages

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

For working-age adults whose health affects daily living or mobility.

Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

For people whose health limits their ability to work.

Blue Badge

Parking concession for people with mobility difficulties.

Carer's Allowance

For people who care for someone with a disability 35+ hours per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim disability benefits if I work?
Yes. PIP and Attendance Allowance are not affected by your employment status — you can work full-time and still receive them. New Style ESA allows "permitted work" of up to 16 hours per week. Universal Credit disability elements continue alongside employment, reducing gradually through the taper rate.
Can I claim both PIP and ESA?
Yes. PIP and ESA serve different purposes — PIP covers extra daily living and mobility costs, while ESA replaces income when you cannot work. Many people claim both simultaneously. Receiving PIP can also strengthen your ESA claim by providing evidence of the impact of your condition.
Do mental health conditions qualify for disability benefits?
Yes. Mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and personality disorders can all qualify for PIP, Attendance Allowance, and ESA. The assessment focuses on how your condition affects daily activities, not on the diagnosis itself. Many successful claims are for mental health conditions alone.
What if my condition fluctuates?
Many conditions fluctuate — having good days and bad days. The DWP assesses your condition over a period of time, not just on one day. You should describe your worst days and how often they occur (for example, "approximately 4 days per week"). The assessment considers whether you can carry out activities "reliably, repeatedly, safely, and in a timely manner".

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Important: Benefits Robin is not affiliated with the DWP or UK Government. We provide information and assistance, not legal or financial advice. These are estimates based on your answers. Final decisions are made by the DWP.