Extra Help and Support When on Benefits

• Housing Benefit: If you’re on low income or getting certain benefits, you may qualify for Housing Benefit or 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 the webpage 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 (£36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland) for changes to your home to help. For more information, click here.

• Free NHS Services: You might get free prescriptions, dental care, eye test and help with hospital travel (if you need to go regularly) if you receive any of the following:
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Discounted Gym Membership: Some gyms offer discounted or even free membership if you get benefits. Check with your local gym.

If you’re on benefits, you might be able to get discounts or extra support for food and bills.

• 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 may be able to get what is called 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 may be able to get up to 85% of your childcare costs back. For more information, click here.

• Free Bus Pass: People with disabilities may be able to get a free bus pass. For more information and to apply, contact your local council.
• 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.
• 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:
  • Proof of PIP or ADP which show the mobility award
  • Vehicle log book (V5C)
  • Completed V10 form
  • MOT certificate
  • Insurance certificate if you live in Northern Ireland
  • Check or Postal Order (payable to 'DVLA, Swansea') for 50% of the full rate of car tax. You can check the rate here.
• Free Road Tax: You can get your vehicle tax for free in a Post Office if you claim any of the following:
  • 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 claim any of the following:
  • 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.

If it gets very cold in winter, you may be able to get extra payments:

• Cold Weather Payment: An extra £25 if the temperature is very low for 7 days in a row and you receive any of the following.:
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support for Mortgage Interest
• 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:
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

Both of these payments should be automatic, meaning you do not need to do anything. You should receive a letter saying that you will be receiving the payment.

• 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, for example. You need to apply for a Ride Access Pass at least seven days before your visit to use their virtual queuing system. For more information, click here.
• Free Cinema Ticket: With proof of PIP you can buy a CEA card and get a free ticket for someone else when you buy a full price ticket. For more information, click here.
• Free Carer Entry at National Trust and English Heritage Sites: The National Trust and English Heritage 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.