Find out which benefits you might be able to claim
What are benefits?
Benefits are things some people can apply for to give them money to help to pay for things like personal care, housing, and getting out and about.
You have to apply for benefits as
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
Tax is the money that people pay to the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay for things and how things like the National Health
Service
A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
should work.
only gives the benefit money to people who meet
certain
Certain means you are sure about something.
standards or conditions.
There are different kinds of benefits you can apply for depending on your own personal needs.
Find out about benefits
Many benefits go unclaimed every year.
This advice tool can help you to identify what benefits you might be able to get, and how to apply for them.
Our
Learning Disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
Helpline team created this benefit information for
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
only. Mencap hold no
responsibility
Responsibility is managing or being in charge of something.
for DWP processes, timescales, decisions and service.
How to use this advice tool (Easy Read)
We have made Easy Read instructions on how to use this tool to find the things you want to know about.
Read the instructionsWhich type of support are you looking for?
How much money in benefit payments could I get?
Benefit calculators
The government recommend some useful benefit calculators where you can check to see what you could be entitled to.
Visit:
Changes to the benefit system
The UK Government are thinking about making benefit changes next year (2026) to:
-
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability or health condition get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Some people who used to get
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by a benefit called Personal
Independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
Payment (PIP).
(DLA) now get PIP instead.
(PIP) -
Employment
Employment means having a job.
and Support Allowance (ESA) - Universal Credit (UC)
- Access to Work (AtW)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
We need your benefit stories so we can share the concerns of people with a learning disability with the Government.
Need more information about benefits?
You can call our Learning Disability Helpline or, if you want to speak to a local adviser about the benefits you may be entitled to, visit the 'Find a local benefit adviser' page on the advicelocal.uk
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
.
Questions and answers about money and benefits
About reasonable adjustments when claiming welfare benefits with the Job Centre and Department for Work and Pensions:
The
Equality
Equality is when everyone is treated fairly.
Act prevents people from being discriminated against in society and outlines the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
The duty to make reasonable adjustments aims to make sure that a disabled person has access to and is able to use services in the same way (or as close as possible) as a non- disabled person.
This duty is anticipatory which means that the responsibility of making reasonable adjustments is on the
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
meaning they must think in advance about disabled people and the range of impairments they may need.
When you are applying for or receiving a benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), you have a duty to provide them with certain information if they ask for it.
You also have a general duty to tell them (either in writing or by telephone) of any change of circumstances that you might reasonably be expected to know would affect your continued entitled to the benefit you are receiving. For example, if you would need to tell them if your partner moved into your home or if you started a new job.
You must tell the DWP about the change of circumstances “as soon as reasonably practicable”.
As it is sometimes difficult for you to know what changes are going to affect your benefits, it is advisable to tell the DWP about any change of circumstances as soon as possible after the change has happened.