Check what benefits to claim if you’re sick or disabled

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland, See advice for Wales

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 an NHS volunteer 

If you’re disabled you can ask a volunteer to go shopping for you or collect a prescription. You can also talk to a volunteer on the phone if you’re feeling lonely because you’re self-isolating.

Check if you can get help on the NHS Volunteer Responders website.

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:

You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

If someone looks after you

If you get PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment, check if the person who looks after you can get Carer’s Allowance.

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 and send it with your Universal Credit claim form. 

Check how Universal Credit works for people who are sick or disabled - including how to get a fit note.

You might be able to get other benefits, for example:

You can also check what other help you can get.

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Page last reviewed on 20 February 2020