Medical Benefits

What are medical benefits?

Benefits and financial support if you’re disabled or have a health condition. Some of these are calculated based on your ability to work, some on if you have additional support needs, and others because you care for someone who does.

Can I claim medical benefits?

You may be eligible to claim medical benefits if you or a family member:

Have difficulty with everyday tasks.
Cannot work due to injury or disability.
Cannot work due to sickness.

What are some of the benefits I can claim?

Personal Independence Payment

A benefit for people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects their daily living or mobility. PIP has two components, Daily living and Mobility, which can be paid at either the standard rate, or the enhanced rate.

Employment and Support Allowance

Money for people who have limited capability for work because of their sickness or disability but do not get Statutory Sick Pay. This benefit requires a certain level of National Insurance contributions under the ‘New Style’ ESA rules. If you have not worked please direct your attention to Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work.

Attendance Allowance

A benefit for people over state pension age that need help with daily tasks or personal care because of an illness or disability.

Disability Living Allowance (for children)

A non-means tested benefit for children under 16 with a condition or disability. It is to help meet the extra costs you may have as a result of the disability. DLA has two components depending on the level of help your child needs.

Disability Living Allowance (for children)

Universal Credit - Limited Capability for Work & Work-Related Activity

An element of Universal Credit for adults that have limited capability for work due to a health condition or disability. Your Universal Credit award may include an additional amount and you will have different conditions compared to those without a disability.

Limited Capability for Work (LCW) is for those who are thought to be capable of working or are expected to prepare for work in the future with some support.

Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity (LCWRA) is for those that are not considered capable of preparing for work. You would not be expected to take part in work-related activities and will receive a higher allowance in your Universal Credit.

To access LCW or LCWRA you will need to be referred for a Work Capability Assessment. If you have not yet made a claim for Universal Credit you can advise that you have health conditions throughout the assessment process.

If you already have an active claim for Universal Credit, please report a new health condition or disability as a change of circumstances.

Carer's Allowance

A benefit for people giving regular and substantial care to disabled people. Carer’s allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income, meaning it will be deducted as a form of income from any means-tested benefits.

You will usually be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:

you're aged 16 or over
you're not in full time education
you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
you don't earn more than £151 a week from employment or self-employment – after deductions such as income tax, National Insurance and half of your pension contributions

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

A benefit for people who were either injured in an accident at work, or developed one of the listed medical conditions which is impacting your ability to continue working.
You must have been a paid employee at the time of the accident/condition developing in Great Britain. You would need to undergo an assessment by a medical examiner.
This benefit it also considered an income and can affect other benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

Can I get help to apply for these benefits?

There are services available in Ipswich that can assist you to find the right benefit, help with submitting applications and provide advice on collecting relevant medical evidence.

Ipswich Disabled Advice Bureau
Tel: 01473 217313
Email: website@ipswichdab.org.uk - please include a phone number in your email
Address: 19 Tower Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3BE

Citizens Advice - Connect for Health (requires referral from GP)

Social Prescribers working with Citizens advice to support individuals referred by their GP for assistance with issues such as benefits, debt, housing and utilities.

Tel: 01473 298 637
Email: c4h.ipswich@nhs.net