Money for people with disabilities

People with disabilities or learning difficulties sometimes get extra money from the government to help them in different ways. The money is usually called disability benefits, and there are different kinds. Here are some of them:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
This is for people who need extra money to pay for someone to look after them. This could be either your parents or other carers.

You might also be able to get Disability Living Allowance if you need more money to pay for things like a specially adapted car.

You do not need to be a certain age to get Disability Living Allowance. The money you get is not affected if you have a job.
 

Incapacity Benefit (IB)
This is for people who are not able to do ordinary work because of their learning difficulties or disability. Your doctor would have to say that you cannot work if you want to get Incapacity Benefit. You can also get Incapacity Benefit if you are over 16 and doing a special course, or getting special help at school or college.

Income Support.
For most people with a disability or learning difficulties this is a “top up” benefit. This means it is paid as well as other benefits so you have enough money to live on.

Direct payments.
Direct payments come from your local Social Services Department. This is money to pay directly for your own care or other services. This is so that you have more choice and control over the help that you get.

More help.
Money that is available for people with learning difficulties and disabilities is very complicated and changes often. For more information contact.
 
Leicestershire Welfare Rights Advice Service
Phone: 0116 277 9496

Leicester Welfare Rights Advice Service
Phone: (0116) 254 3399
Open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
1pm to 4pm

Benefits Enquiry Line
Phone:0800 882200