Benefits for working age people

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a health condition or disability. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you are over 16 and have an illness or disability. This includes physical and mental illnesses.

To meet the criteria for PIP, you must show that you have difficulty doing everyday tasks, like: 

• preparing and cooking food
• eating and drinking
• managing your medicines or treatments
• washing and bathing
• going to the toilet
• dressing and undressing
• communicating with other people
• reading and understanding written information
• moving around.

You must have found these things hard for three months and think that they will be hard for another nine months.

PIP is not means tested. This means that it does not depend on your income or any savings you might have.  

Citizens Advice has more information about PIP, including how to apply and how much you could get. They can also help you with your PIP application. 

Scotland

In Scotland, the new Adult Disability Payment (ADP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long-term health condition or disability. It replaces Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

If you already get PIP, you will automatically be moved onto the ADP. You do not have to reapply. The amount you get will be the same in most cases.

Citizens Advice has more information about ADP. 

Universal Credit is a payment that helps with living costs for those who have a low income or are not working.

The amount you get depends on your circumstances. Your circumstances include things like your income, housing costs and your ability to work. You might get extra Universal Credit if you have a health condition or disability.

Citizens Advice has more information about Universal Credit, including how to apply and how much you could get. They can also help you with your application.

You could get Housing Benefit to help pay your rent if you’re on a low income, unemployed or claiming benefits. You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if one of the following apply:

• you have reached State Pension age
• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

If you cannot get Housing Benefit, you might be able to claim Universal Credit instead. Citizens Advice has more information about Housing Benefit, including how to apply and how much you could get.

You might be able to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too sick to work. You can get SSP for up to about six and a half months (28 weeks). If you’re still too sick to work after this, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Agency and zero-hour workers can get SSP. If you’re self-employed, you cannot claim SSP. You might be able to get ESA instead.

Citizens Advice has more information about SSP, including advice about what to do if your employer says you cannot get SSP.
 

If you’re unable to work because of a health condition or disability, you could get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to help with your living costs. You can also get support to get back to work if you’re able to. You can apply for ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.

You could be entitled to compensation if your work caused your lung condition.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

You could get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if: 

• you developed a lung condition because of work
• your lung condition was caused by an accident at work.

You cannot claim IIDB if you were self-employed.

IIDB covers conditions like asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or an asbestos-related condition. The government has a full list of medical conditions covered by IIDB.

Citizens Advice has more information about IIDB, including how to apply and how much you could get.

Asbestos-related compensation

We have detailed information about compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. Read about asbestos financial support and mesothelioma compensation.