If you get benefits like Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), there may be extra support and discounts you can get. These can help you save money and make life a little easier.
Help with Housing
Housing benefits
If you’re on low income or getting certain benefits, you may qualify for:
- Housing Benefit.
- The Housing Element of Universal Credit to help with your rent.
Discretionary housing payment (DHP)
- Extra help for rent payments.
- Given by your council if:
- Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn’t cover your full rent.
- For more information, speak to your local council.
Council tax reduction
- You may be able to get discount on your council tax if:
- You are in receipt of benefits.
- Or disabled.
- For more information on council tax and discounts, visit here.
Disabled facilities grants
- If you or someone you care for is disabled you may be able to get:
- Up to £30,000 in England
- Up to £36,000 in Wales
- Up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland
- For changes to your home to help.
- For more information, click here.
Help with Health Costs
Free NHS prescriptions, dental care, eye test and help with hospital travel
You could get these if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support.
- Pension Credit.
- Universal Credit.
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
Make sure you ask when you use the service.
Discounted or free gym membership
- Some gyms offer this if you get benefits.
- Check with your local gym.
Help with Bills and Food
Warm home discount
- This gives you £150 off your electricity bill during the winter months.
- Check with your electricity supplier to see if you qualify.
Water bills help
- Some water companies offer lower rates for people on low incomes.
- Check with your water supplier to see what they offer.
Food vouchers
- If you’re pregnant or have young children, you may qualify for:
- Free Healthy Start food vouchers to help buy milk, fruit, and vegetables.
- For more information, click here.
Discounted phone and internet
- If you are on benefits you could get a Social Tariff from some providers.
- For a full list, click here.
Help with childcare costs
- If you are working and on Universal Credit you could get:
- Up to 85% of your childcare costs back.
- For more information, click here.
Help with Travel
Free bus pass
- People with disabilities may be able to get a free bus pass.
- For more information visit our webpage here.
Discounted rail travel
- If you get PIP or have a disability:
- You may be able to get a Disabled Person’s Railcard for 1/3 off train travel.
- For more information and to apply, click here or speak to your local train station.
Blue Badge
- If you get the mobility part of PIP you may be able to get:
- A Blue Badge and have free parking.
- For more information on Blue Badges, click here.
Discounted road tax
- If you get the standard rate of mobility on PIP or ADP you can get:
- 50% off your vehicle tax each year.
- To apply you need to send the following to DVLA, Swansea. SA99 1BF:
Free road tax
- You can get your vehicle tax for free in a Post Office if you get:
- Higher rate mobility of Disability Living Allowance.
- Enhanced rate mobility of Personal Independence Payment.
- Enhanced rate mobility of Adult Disability Payment.
- Higher rate mobility of Child Disability Payment.
- War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement.
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Motability scheme
- You can get help leasing a car, electric wheelchair or scooter if you get:
-
- Higher rate mobility of Disability Living Allowance.
- Enhanced rate mobility of Personal Independence Payment.
- Enhanced rate mobility of Adult Disability Payment.
- Higher rate mobility of Child Disability Payment.
- War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement.
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
- For more information, click here.
Extra Payments in Cold Weather
Cold weather payment
- An extra £25 if the temperature is very low for 7 days in a row.
- If you receive any of the following:
Winter fuel payment
- £200 or £300 to help with heating costs.
- If you were born before 23 September 1958.
- And get one of the following:
How do these payments work?
- Both of these payments should be automatic.
- This means you do not need to do anything.
- You should receive a letter saying that you will be receiving the payment.
Other Activities
Carer passes at Merlin Attractions
- All Merlin Entertainment Attractions offer:
- One free carer ticket and a second at half price with a full paying guest.
- All you need to do is show proof of your disability.
- This can be a PIP letter dated within the past two years.
- You can apply for a Ride Access Pass
- But you need to do so at least seven days before your visit.
- For more information, click here.
Free cinema ticket
- With proof of PIP you can buy a CEA card
- This can get you a free ticket when you buy a full price ticket.
- For more information, click here.
Free carer entry at National Trust and English Heritage Sites
- Both give up to two carers free entry with an essential companion card.
- You can apply for a card by post, email or phone.
- Click here for more information.
If you are having difficulties, please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777. We are open:
- Monday to Friday
- From 10.00am to 4.30pm
- Closed on Bank Holidays
