Extra Help and Support When on Benefits

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.

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.

Discounted or free gym membership

• Some gyms offer this if you get benefits.
• Check with your local gym.

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.

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 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.

Cold weather payment

• An extra £25 if the temperature is very low for 7 days in a row.
• You also 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.

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.

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.