Disability and health benefits in the UK

The main disability payments are not means-tested. What you can get, and what they unlock, depends on your age, which UK nation you live in, and how your condition affects daily life or getting around.

Start with the right disability payment

If you are of working age, the main extra-costs benefit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In Scotland, new claims are for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. Both are tax-free, can be paid if you work or have savings, and have a daily living part and a mobility part. Official 2026 to 2027 weekly rates, from 6 April 2026, are the same for both: daily living £76.70 or £114.60, mobility £30.30 or £80.00.

If you have reached State Pension age, new claims are usually for Attendance Allowance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland. Those payments have a lower and a higher rate, and no mobility component. If you already get PIP or ADP, you can generally stay on it when you reach State Pension age.

For children under 16, the usual claim is Disability Living Allowance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Child Disability Payment in Scotland. The care and mobility rates match the official 2026 to 2027 DLA figures.

Universal Credit if you cannot work, or work is limited

Disability payments such as PIP do not replace Universal Credit. If your income is low, you may also be able to get Universal Credit. From 6 April 2026 the extra Universal Credit amount for limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) is paid at two official rates: £217.26 a month for many new determinations, and £429.80 a month if you are a pre-2026 claimant, you are terminally ill, or you meet the severe conditions criteria.

A smaller limited capability for work (LCW) amount of £158.76 a month only still applies to some claims that started before 3 April 2017. New Style Employment and Support Allowance can also be payable if you have enough National Insurance contributions.

What a disability award can unlock

A daily living or care award can open the door to Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment for someone who cares for you, and to extra amounts in means-tested benefits. A higher or enhanced mobility award is the usual key to Motability and a full vehicle tax exemption. Standard-rate PIP or ADP mobility can mean a 50% vehicle tax reduction. Many travel concessions, including the Disabled Persons Railcard, accept a wide range of awards.

The benefit cap often does not apply if you, your partner or a child under 18 gets PIP, ADP, DLA, Attendance Allowance or several other listed payments, or if you get the Universal Credit LCWRA or carer amount. Always check the official GOV.UK list, because the exemption depends on who in the household gets the payment.

If a decision is wrong

You can usually ask for a mandatory reconsideration and then appeal to a tribunal. Deadlines are short. A specialist benefits adviser or, in some cases, a legal aid or law centre caseworker can help. This site’s Find an expert section lists organisations we have checked against official sources. This website is not an eligibility decision and is not legal advice.

Entitlements in this guide

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — A tax-free benefit to help with extra costs of a long-term disability or health condition, paid at daily living and mobility rates.
Adult Disability Payment — Scotland’s replacement for PIP: a tax-free payment for daily living and mobility costs.
Attendance Allowance — A tax-free benefit for people of State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision.
Pension Age Disability Payment — Scotland’s replacement for Attendance Allowance, for people of State Pension age with care needs.
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance — A Scottish payment for people who already received adult DLA, paid at DLA care and mobility rates.
Universal Credit LCWRA (health element) — An extra monthly Universal Credit amount if you have limited capability for work and work-related activity.
Universal Credit limited capability for work amount — A smaller extra Universal Credit amount that only still applies to some older claims.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance — A contribution-based benefit if you cannot work because of a health condition or disability and have paid enough National Insurance.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit — A payment if you became disabled because of an accident at work or a prescribed industrial disease.
Constant Attendance Allowance — An extra payment on some industrial injuries or war pension awards if you need constant care.
Benefit cap exemption because of a disability or caring award — You are not affected by the benefit cap if you, your partner or a child gets certain disability or carer benefits.
Pension Credit disability and carer additions — Extra Pension Credit if you or your partner is severely disabled or is a carer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get PIP if I work or have savings?

Yes. Official GOV.UK guidance says you can get PIP if you are working or have savings. It is not means-tested. Adult Disability Payment in Scotland is also not means-tested.

I live in Scotland. Should I claim PIP?

No. If you live in Scotland and are of working age, you should apply for Adult Disability Payment, not PIP. For children, apply for Child Disability Payment. For State Pension age, look at Pension Age Disability Payment unless you already get Adult Disability Payment.

Do PIP and Attendance Allowance have a mobility payment?

PIP and Adult Disability Payment can include a mobility part. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment do not have a mobility component.

What changed in the Universal Credit health element in April 2026?

From 6 April 2026 the LCWRA extra amount is paid at two rates. Official 2026 to 2027 amounts are £217.26 a month at the lower rate and £429.80 at the higher rate, which applies to pre-2026 claimants, people who are terminally ill, and people who meet the severe conditions criteria. Check GOV.UK for which rate applies to you.

If my PIP is refused, what should I do first?

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within the time limit on your decision letter, then consider an appeal. Get advice quickly. A refusal can often be challenged, but this site cannot tell you whether your own claim should succeed.

Does a disability benefit stop the benefit cap?

It can. Official GOV.UK guidance lists many disability and carer payments that mean you are not affected by the cap, including PIP, ADP, DLA, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance, when you, your partner or a child under 18 gets them. There are also exemptions for LCWRA and for some earnings. Check the official list for your household.

Sources

Last checked 10 November 2026. This is information, not an eligibility decision or legal advice.