Benefits

Having arthritis often means extra expense. You may be able to get state benefits to help with the extra costs of having arthritis or if you’re unable to work. It’s worth checking that you’re claiming everything that you are entitled to.

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a non means tested benefit for people under 65 with an illness or disability who have problems getting around, or need help with personal care, or both of these. Find out how to claim DLA

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people aged 65 or over with an illness or a disability who need help with personal care. Find out how to claim AA

Access to Work

Access to Work provides practical advice and grants to help overcome work-related obstacles resulting from disability.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is a weekly taxable benefit paid if you are aged 16 or over and regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person.

Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit (IB) aims to provide income for people who cannot work due to sickness or disability. Find out how to claim IB

Income Support

Income Support (IS) provides a basic income for people who may be too ill to work, but not have enough NI contributions to get Incapacity Benefit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) is for people who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week, who are available for – and actively seeking – work.

Council Tax Benefit

If you are on a low income and paying council tax you can claim Council Tax Benefit.

Help with health costs

If you or your partner are on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can get help with your health costs. These include free NHS prescriptions, free NHS sight tests, and repayment of necessary travel costs to and from hospital for NHS treatment.

Housing Benefit

If you are on a low income and paying rent, you can claim Housing Benefit.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people aged 60 or over.

The Social Fund

The Social Fund makes payments to people in need, for example funeral payments, cold weather payments and winter fuel payments.

Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit supports people who are responsible for children whether they are in work or not.

Working Tax Credit is a means-tested payment for those in low-paid work. It supports families with children and workers with a disability.