Financial Support
There are different benefits, grants and other financial help available for people with the condition/s and those who care for them.
Below is some information on these with links to various websites for more in-depth information and ways to claim.
For more information, any questions or advice please go to our forum.
Additional Help
Money Helper
MoneyHelper is here to make your money choices clearer. Cut through the complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it. Free, impartial guidance that’s backed by government, and to recommend further, trusted support if you need it.
Disability Rights UK
Disability Rights UK is the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for disabled people. They have various information/guides on benefits and other financial help plus more.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Use our free Benefits Calculator and Grants Search to find out what help you can get.
Benefits
Vehicles & Transport
Home & Housing
Students
Whether you can work or not, you could be entitled to one or more benefits. Below is listed the most common benefits for those with ME/CFS and/or Fibro or a Carer could claim. There are more benefits available which you could be entitled to.
Check out the UK government website for more information on various benefits.
Health & Disability Benefits
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
- A long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- Difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
For more information click here.
At Benefits and Work there is an online test you can take, for free, to see what you could score for the daily living and mobility components of PIP. There is also some free downloadable guides at Disability Rights UK.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
ESA gives you:
- Money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work
- Support to get back into work if you’re able to
You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.
For more information click here.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Children Only
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
To claim you’ll need to be :
- Is under 16
- Has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability
For more information click here.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
You can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.
You cannot get less than the statutory amount. You can get more if your company has a sick pay scheme (or ‘occupational scheme’) – check your employment contract.
There are different sick pay rules for agricultural workers.
For more information click here.
Low Income Benefits
Universal Credit
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be:
- Out of work
- Working (including self-employed or part time)
- Unable to work, for example because of a health condition
To claim you must be 18 or over (thought there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17), be under state pension age and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
For more information click here.
Council Tax Reduction
You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%.
You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
What you get depends on:
- Where you live – each council runs its own scheme
- Your circumstances (for example income, number of children, benefits, residency status)
- Your household income – this includes savings, pensions and your partner’s income
- If your children live with you/other adults live with you
For more information click here.
State Pension Age
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.
It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
To claim you’ll need to be :
- Physically or mentally disabled
- State Pension age or older
It does not cover mobility needs and you do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.
For more information click here.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
For more information click here.
Carers
Carers Allowance
You could get carer’s allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
For more information click here.
Carers Credit
You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. Your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record.
Your income, savings or investments will not affect eligibility for Carer’s Credit.
For more information click here.