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

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

If you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around

You might be able to get:

• Child Disability Payment if you're under 16 - check if you can get Child Disability Payment

• Adult Disability Payment if you're 16 or over and haven't reached State Pension age - check if you can get Adult Disability Payment

• Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age – check if you can get Attendance Allowance

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

If you are disabled and you live in Scotland, check if you can apply for an award from the Independent Living Fund on mygov.scot.

If someone looks after you

The person who looks after you might be able to get Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment if you get one of these benefits: 

• Adult Disability Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Child Disability Payment

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. It’s available in different parts of Scotland at different times.  

You should check if the person who looks after you can get Carer Support Payment where they live.

If Carer Support Payment is not available where they live, check if the person who looks after you can get Carer’s Allowance.

If the person who looks after you is 16 to 18 years, they might be able to get Young Carer Grant.

Check if the person who looks after you can get Young Carer Grant.

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:

• Pension Credit if you’ve reached State Pension age – check if you can get Pension Credit

• Council Tax Reduction if you pay Council Tax – check if you can get Council Tax Reduction

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) if you’re looking for work – check if you can get JSA

You can also check what other help you can get.