Financial help for Deaf and Disabled Londoners
On average, life costs an extra £583 a month if you're Disabled.
If you or someone you care for are Deaf, Disabled, or have a long-term health condition, you could get financial support and advice to help with funding the extra costs of ill health or disability.
Disability benefits
You may be entitled to extra benefits if you are Deaf, Disabled or you have a long-term health condition. There is information about the range of disability-related financial support available on the government's website.
If you’re on a low income or out of work, you may be able to get Universal Credit. If you decide to claim Universal Credit, any tax credits or means-tested benefits that you already get (except a council tax reduction) will stop. This will happen even if your Universal Credit claim results in a nil award. To find out which option is best for you, contact an advice organisation like Scope, Contact or Disability Rights UK.
You can call Scope's helpline for free independent advice and support on issues including disability benefits. Call 0800 800 333 for advice or email [email protected].
For adults
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people aged 16 to pension age who face barriers taking part in everyday life, including getting around. Disability Rights UK have a guide to making a claim for Personal Independence Payment.
The disability charity Scope has guidance on how to fill out benefit claim forms. Scope also provides more information about disability benefits and how you can fund the costs of being disabled.
For children
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main benefit for children under 16 with a health condition or disability. DLA helps to meet the extra costs that you might have as a result of your child's disability.
The charity Contact has a London Hub to help with making a claim for DLA and other financial support including grants.
For family carers
Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for carers. You might be able to get it if the person you care for is on the care component of Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate, or if they get the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. Carers UK has advice on financial support for unpaid carers.
If you have recently become sick or disabled, Money Helper has useful information about how you can get support from your employer, claim benefits and manage your finances.
Your local council may also be able to help you with welfare support if you’re struggling financially. Use our search tool to find support offered by your local council.
Energy costs
Disabled people, on average, have higher energy costs than non-disabled people. This is because of needing to charge medical and mobility devices or run heating at higher levels to stay warm.
If you are struggling to afford your energy bills, there are ways you can get support. The charity Inclusion London has a helpful guide to getting support with the increasing costs of energy for Deaf and Disabled people. You should ask your energy supplier about being added to the Priority Service Register which means you'll get extra support and cannot be disconnected during winter (1 October - 31 March).
If you use an oxygen concentrator at home, you can get a rebate for the electricity it uses. Scope provide details about how to claim.
If you have a pre-payment meter and you live with an impairment that means your health would be damaged by your power going off, you can ask your energy company to replace it with a normal meter. Your energy company must do this if you ask them to. Citizens Advice has more information about moving off a pre-payment meter.
Your energy supplier can’t move you onto a pre-payment meter if you are in a “very vulnerable situation”, even if you are in debt. Ofgem has more information about this.
To find out more about how you could get support with your energy bills, see our general information on getting help with your gas, electricity and water bills.
Social care costs
If you or someone you care for needs social care, you’ll usually need to pay for some or all of their care. You can ask your local council for a financial assessment (means test) to find out if you qualify for any help with costs. There is more information about the financial assessment on the NHS website.
It is against the law for your local council to charge you more than you can pay for social care. The Disability Justice Project has detailed guidance about your rights and what you can do if you are unable to afford care.
The financial assessment should take into account any costs you have because of your disability, but sometimes it does not. If you think your disability-related expenses were not taken into account during your means test, you can ask for a financial reassessment.
The charity Inclusion London has a template letter which you can send to your local council to request this. You should include additional energy you use for charging medical or mobility devices or for your heating, giving as much information as you can about each item’s energy consumption, and a copy of your energy bill.
Local authorities have a duty to provide certain services to disabled children which they don't usually charge for. If you think you or your child needs extra help, then you should contact your local authority. Contact has a guide about getting help from your local authority for your disabled child. The main route involves undergoing an assessment of your child and family's needs.
The “Scrap Care Charges” coalition of Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations provide helpful videos about your legal rights related to care charges.
If you need further advice, you can call Disability Right’s UK’s free Personal Budgets Helpline on 0330 995 0404. The helpline provides information about care and support services and how to access social care funding. It’s open from 9.30am to 1.30pm every Tuesday and Thursday.
Concessions, discounts and grants
There are a range of discounts and concessions you can get on travel, cultural activities and daily life if you are Deaf or Disabled, or have a Deaf or Disabled child. Your Personal Assistant, carer or friend can sometimes get a free or discounted ticket to go somewhere with you.
Scope provides information about discounts, concessions and companion tickets.
The website Disability Grants has collected a useful list of popular discounts and concessions. This includes concessions only available in London.
Some charities and trusts provide grant funding to help with the cost of disability equipment, holidays, housing and days out. You can search for a grant using the Disability Grants UK website or the charity Turn 2 Us’ grant search tool.