Changes to benefits for people with care or mobility needs

Attendance Allowance

The age for claiming Attendance Allowance starts to go up from 65 to 66 in line with a person’s State Pension Age.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for new claims from people aged 16 to 64 with a health condition or disability.

For self-help factsheets such as 'What to do if you disagree with a PIP or DLA decision' see our benefits information page

See also changes to benefits for people who are incapable of work

Carer's Allowance

If you are an unpaid carer providing care for at least 35 hours a week for someone who receives a ‘disability benefit,’ you may be eligible for two types of financial support:

Carer’s Allowance: This is a regular payment for those who meet the 35-hour care requirement.

Carer Premium: This is an additional amount that may be added to certain means-tested benefits, such as Income Support, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit.

Carers and Universal Credit

As Universal Credit replaces several existing benefits, the following applies to carers:

Carer’s Allowance: This will continue under Universal Credit.

Carer Element: If you qualify for Universal Credit, you may also be entitled to a ‘carer element,’ which functions similarly to the Carer Premium. Importantly, you do not need to claim Carer’s Allowance to receive the carer element, as long as you provide at least 35 hours of care each week.

Work-Related Requirements under Universal Credit

Typically, Universal Credit includes ‘work-related requirements’ that involve looking for full-time work. However, if you are caring for someone who receives a ‘disability benefit’ and you provide at least 35 hours of care per week, you will not have any work-related requirements.

If you care for less than 35 hours a week or if the person you care for does not receive a ‘disability benefit,’ you may need to discuss reasonable adjustments to your work-related requirements with a Jobcentre Plus work coach. Additionally, if you have a non-caring partner, they may also be expected to engage in work-related activities.

Certain carers will be exempt from the benefit cap

This is a simple summary and other rules may apply. For more information about ‘disability benefits’ and benefits for carers see our benefit information page and Carers UK , and their page on carers and Universal Credit

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Changes to benefits for people with care or mobility needs