There is a way to make this easier, if you apply for benefits in a certain order.
Follow this three step plan, and the subsequent benefits are easier to claim.
1. Medical Diagnosis Letter
- Make sure you have one from your doctor/neurologist.
- Take a photo or scan of it – you'll need it often.
- If diagnosed verbally, ask for a written diagnosis.
2. Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Not means-tested; based on level of disability.
- Two parts: Mobility and Daily Living.
- Enhanced rates possible (correct May 2025).
| Lower Weekly Rate | Higher Weekly Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily living part | £73.90 | £110.40 |
| Mobility part | £29.20 | £77.05 |
- Apply here
- Keep a record of your answers – be honest and detailed.
- Scan and keep your PIP decision letter.
3. Blue Badge
- Applies to the person, not the car. So you can use the Blue Badge in other people’s cars.
- Grants parking privileges in many areas.
- Access to free parking in some car parks (such as hospitals, or some council run car parks).
- Wider spaces in pay-for car parks.
- Depending on the council, can include parking on double yellow lines (although not true in many cities, so check first).
- Not valid where there is a resident parking permit in operation, or if it’s a loading zone (vertical line crossing the double yellow lines).
- Much easier to get with a PIP award, especially for Mobility.
- Apply here
Vehicle Tax Exemption
- 100% Discount for vehicle tax if you get the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- 50% Discount for vechile tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.
- Easy to apply for in a post office with your V5C and your PIP decison letter. It takes a couple of weeks before your new V5C is posted to your home.
- Other criteria apart from PIP also can apply.
- Apply here
Congestion Charge (London)
- 100% discount if you have a Blue Badge.
- Register all your vehicles with TFL.
- Apply here
Bus Pass
- Free local bus travel (and off-peak national services).
- If you live outside London, it does not include London buses.
- If you live inside London, the Freedom Pass includes buses and the tube.
- Use your PIP letter as proof.
- Apply here
Disabled Person’s Railcard
- ⅓ off rail fares for you and a companion.
- £20 per year or £54 for three years.
- An enhanced PIP for mobility will prove you can have this, but other critera applies if you don't have that, so you can still apply.
- Check eligibility
- Typically, the railcard is stored in the Railcard app on your mobile phone.
CEA Card – Free Cinema Ticket for Companion
- Free ticket for a companion at participating cinemas.
- Being in receipt of a PIP will count as evidence, but there are other criteria.
- Apply here
25% Off Council Tax – If You Have Dementia
- You may be "disregarded" if you're severely mentally impaired.
- Applies with conditions like dementia (PDD, DLB, Alzheimer’s, etc).
- Assuming you live at home with your partner, and you have children in education (so they’re disregarded too), or the children have moved out, then your household will only have one person who is regarded (your partner).
- Start your application
Other Possible Benefits
- Attendance Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – for under 16s
- Housing Benefit
- Disabled Facilities Grants
- Access to Work
- Motability Scheme
- More info on financial help
- Benefits Calculator - This is very useful, and will signpost you to most services and benefits you can get from UK.gov