If you are disabled or suffer from a long-term health condition, you might be eligible for PIP or AA to help you meet the additional costs of disability. You might also be entitled to ESA, if you are unable to work. People who are disabled or suffering from long-term health conditions might also be eligible for public transport concession fares and help with health costs.
If you suffer from a physical or mental health condition that is expected to last 12 months or longer, you could receive extra financial help in the form of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
You will also be automatically paid the Daily Living component of PIP if you are suffering from a terminal illness and have a diagnosis of less than 12 months to live.
PIP is not means-tested, so you can receive it even if you are working, have savings or are receiving other benefits.
To be eligible for PIP, you need to be between 16 and State Pension age. If you are over State Pension Age you might be eligible for Attendance Allowance (AA).
If you receive PIP, it can lead to other entitlements such as the Blue Badge Scheme, vehicle tax exemptions and concessionary travel.
For more information on PIP and how to apply, visit:
If you are a disabled person who wants to work or are in work but experience additional costs related to your disability, you could benefit from the Access to Work (NI) scheme.
The Access to Work (NI) scheme can help towards the additional costs that arise because of your disability, for example, communication support for deaf people, provision of special aids and equipment and support getting to and from work.
For more information on the Access to Work (NI) scheme, visit:
If you are disabled and Social Services has assessed that you need support with your personal care needs, it may offer you a care package. There are cases, however, where the Health Trust is unable to meet a person’s care needs.
In such cases, you have the option of requesting Direct Payments from Social Services, which you can use to employ your own personal assistant or carer.
Direct payments are normally available if you have been assessed as needing services and you are a disabled adult, you are a carer for a disabled person or you are an older person.
For more information on Direct Payments and how to apply, visit:
The Centre for Independent Living Northern Ireland provides lots of information about Direct Payments. You can visit its site here:
The Housing Executive provide grants to pay for home adaptions which are necessary to meet the needs of a disabled person.
A Disabled facilities grant is available to owner/occupiers, landlords and private tenants.
To apply for a grant, you need to contact the Occupational Therapy Service, which will carry out an assessment of your needs and the adaptions required to your home.
For more information and how to apply, visit:
If you are disabled and your house has been adapted for your disability, you might be eligible for a 25% reduction on your rates. This is known as the Disabled person’s allowance.
The Disabled person’s allowance is not means tested.
You must pay your rates while your application for the Disabled person’s allowance is being assessed. If your application is successful, you will be refunded the amount that you have overpaid.
For more information and how to apply, visit:
