I'm 63 and I had a car accident 1 year ago while a was driving a lorry for my company on the A1. I crashed really hard and I can't walk anymore; my GP made me a prescription for some painkillers that I'm taking twice a day. I feel lucky because my nephews live not too far from here and sometimes they come and help me at home. I am not able to work because of the illness My wife died 2 years ago, what kind of support can I get from the government?

Some benefits you might get are:

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment is gradually replacing DLA for adults with long-term ill health or a disability. If you’ve reached State Pension age you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.

Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free benefit for people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age. It can help with the extra costs caused by long term ill-health or a disability.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

If you’ve just bought the vehicle and it’s not registered in your name yet, you’ll need to complete a V62 form and include the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you may want to choose Direct Payments. They allow you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of receiving it directly from your local council.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

To claim the TV licence concession for blind people, you’ll need to get a certificate from your local authority or ophthalmologist stating that you are registered blind or severely sight impaired.

In Northern Ireland, the certificate or document must be issued by or on behalf of a Health and Social Services Trust. On the Isle of Man, it must be issued by or on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Services.

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Universal Credit

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Attendance Allowance

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

If you’ve just bought the vehicle and it’s not registered in your name yet, you’ll need to complete a V62 form and include the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

If you’ve just bought the vehicle and it’s not registered in your name yet, you’ll need to complete a V62 form and include the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.

an accident at work

Financial help if you're disabled

Overview

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.

Some benefits you might get are:

Universal Credit

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Attendance Allowance

‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:

Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of work

Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Vehicles and transport

If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:

exemption from paying vehicle tax

parking benefits - Blue Badge

disabled persons bus pass or railcard

help to buy or lease a car from The Motability Scheme

Home and housing

If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:

Direct payments - allowing you to buy in and arrange help yourself instead of getting it directly from social services

Disabled Facilities Grants - which is money towards the costs of home adaptations to enable you to continue living there

If you’re on a low income

You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.

If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

Help if you’re employed

You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit.

You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:

special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings

help getting to and from work

mental health support

communication support at a job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker)

VAT relief on certain goods and services

You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.

Armed forces compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.

Disability and sickness benefits

Disability Living Allowance for children

Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.

Disability Living Allowance for adults

Personal Independence Payment

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.

Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to get ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.

Carers

Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.

You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.

Vehicles and transport

You’ll need to meet the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive.

Blue Badge parking scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or as passengers.

Vehicle tax exemption

Eligibility

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:

higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. It cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only have one vehicle tax exemption at any one time.

How to claim

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

If you’re claiming for a vehicle for the first time, you have to claim at a Post Office. You must do this every time you change your vehicle.

Vehicle tax reduction

Eligibility

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

How to claim

You must include the following with your application:

a letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it

the vehicle log book (V5C)

a V10 form

an original MOT or GVT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

a cheque or payable order (made out to ‘DVLA, Swansea’) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle

an insurance certificate or cover note (if you live in Northern Ireland)

Do not send your PIP assessment or any other medical information with your application.

If you’ve just bought the vehicle and it’s not registered in your name yet, you’ll need to complete a V62 form and include the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book with your application.

Send the documents to:

If the vehicle is not registered to you or the nominated driver

When you make your application you will need to include a signed letter from the vehicle’s registered keeper. This needs to say:

how they know you

how the vehicle will be used, for example picking up your prescription or shopping

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. You’ll need to be getting one of the following:

the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

Armed Forces Independence Payment

the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP

VAT relief for vehicles

You may not have to pay VAT on having a vehicle adapted to suit your condition, or on the lease of a Motability vehicle - this is known as VAT relief.

Community and public transport

Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass, a Disabled Persons Railcard or both.

Home and housing

Direct Payments - arranging your own care and services

Disabled Facilities Grants

Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants. It helps towards the cost of essential adaptations to your home to enable you to continue to live there.

Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

You may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax bill if your home has certain features that are essential to you living there.

Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.

If you’re on a low income

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you could get help paying for your housing.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You may also get a Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

On a low income

Universal Credit

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.

Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ JSA.

You’ll need to have worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits can also count.

You will not be eligible if you were self-employed and only paid Class 2 National Insurance contributions, unless you were working as a share fisherman or a volunteer development worker.

You’ll also need to take reasonable steps to look for work.

Check if you’re eligible for ‘new style’ JSA.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance allows you to receive an amount of income without having to pay tax. It’s added to your personal tax allowance.

Television licence discount

You can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence if either:

you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired

you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired

If the person who is registered blind is not the current licence holder for your address, you’ll need to transfer the licence to their name.

You can either:

transfer the licence online - you’ll need your licence number

contact TV Licensing to transfer the licence

How to apply

Post a copy of the certificate along with your licence renewal notice - if you have one - and a cheque or postal order for the licence to:

Remember to include your name, address, phone number and TV licence number, if you have one.

VAT relief for disabled people

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. Also, you will not be charged VAT on:

the installation and any extra work needed as part of this

repairs or maintenance

spare parts or accessories

The product and your disability have to qualify.

Qualifying products or services

Your supplier can tell you, but usually products designed or adapted for a disability qualify. For example, certain types of:

adjustable beds

stair lifts

wheelchairs

medical appliances to help with severe injuries

alarms

braille paper or low vision aids - but not spectacles or contact lenses

motor vehicles - or the leasing of a motability vehicle

building work like ramps, widening doors, installing a lift or toilet

How to get the product VAT free

To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness

you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes

you’re terminally ill

You do not qualify if you’re elderly but not disabled, or if you’re temporarily disabled.

You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.

Help from your council

You can apply to your council for equipment or help to adapt your home if you have a disability.

Importing goods

You do not pay VAT if you import qualifying goods that are for your own personal or domestic use. This includes certain goods for blind and partially sighted people.

If you use a freight service they can help you with the paperwork, otherwise make sure the following is written on parcel, ‘Goods for disabled people: relief claimed’.

If you bring them in yourself, declare them in the red channel at Customs. For any other method of import, contact the National Import Reliefs Unit.

Work-related injuries or illness

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You may be entitled to get Industrial Injuries Benefit if you’re disabled as a result of:

an accident at work

a disease

deafness caused by work

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care and attention because of a disability and you claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Armed forces compensation

You can claim for compensation if while serving in the armed forces:

you got an injury or illness

an existing condition you had was made worse

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can also apply for Constant Attendance Allowance if you need daily care for a disability.