Checked on 10 October 2026 against GOV.UK: Financial help if you're disabled, the DWP benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027, mygov.scot, nidirect and NHSBSA. Amounts are the ones shown on those official pages on that date. Most change every April, so always check the linked page before you apply.
Arthritis can cost money: taxis when you cannot manage the bus, gadgets for the kitchen, extra heating because cold makes joints stiffer, prescription charges, or lost earnings when you have to cut your hours. Many people miss out on help because they do not know it exists, or assume they will not qualify. This directory brings together the main UK sources of financial help in one place, with a short explanation of each and a link to where you apply.
How to use this directory
- Start with the disability benefit that fits your age and where you live (section 1). It is not means-tested, and it often unlocks other help.
- Check income-related help (section 2) if you are on a low income or cannot work as much.
- Work through the cost areas (home, energy, health, travel) that matter most to you.
- Use a free benefits calculator, such as those linked from GOV.UK, and get free advice if you are unsure.
1. Disability benefits (not means-tested)
These help with the extra costs of a long-term health condition. Your income and savings do not count, and you can usually get them while working.
| Benefit | Who it is for | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | Ages 16 to State Pension age in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Based on how your condition affects 12 daily living and mobility activities. The 2026/27 weekly rates were £76.70 or £114.60 for daily living and £30.30 or £80 for mobility. | GOV.UK, or nidirect in Northern Ireland |
| Adult Disability Payment (ADP) | Replaces PIP in Scotland, run by Social Security Scotland | mygov.scot |
| Attendance Allowance | State Pension age or older, needing help with personal care or supervision for at least 6 months. £76.70 (lower) or £114.60 (higher) a week. | GOV.UK |
| Pension Age Disability Payment | Replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland, at the same two rates | mygov.scot |
Our complete PIP guide explains the points, the form, the assessment and challenges. If you already get ADP when you reach State Pension age in Scotland, you stay on it.
2. Help if you are on a low income or cannot work
| Support | What it is |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | A monthly, means-tested payment for working-age people. It can include an extra amount if a Work Capability Assessment finds you have limited capability for work and work-related activity. Since 6 April 2026, that amount has two rates for new claims. |
| New Style ESA | For people whose health limits work, based on National Insurance contributions rather than savings. Paid every 2 weeks. |
| Pension Credit | Tops up weekly income to £238 if single or £363.25 for a couple (2026/27), if you have reached State Pension age in England, Scotland or Wales. It can unlock other help, such as help with NHS dental and travel costs. |
| Statutory Sick Pay | Paid by your employer if you are too ill to work and meet the conditions. |
See our ESA and Universal Credit guide for the Work Capability Assessment and the April 2026 changes.
3. Help for carers
- Carer's Allowance (England, Wales and Northern Ireland): £86.45 a week in 2026/27 if you care for at least 35 hours a week for someone getting a qualifying benefit and earn no more than £204 a week after deductions.
- Carer Support Payment (Scotland): the same weekly amount, plus the Scottish Carer Supplement and extra payments for each additional person cared for.
- Carer's Credit: National Insurance credits if you care for at least 20 hours a week.
- Universal Credit carer element: an extra monthly amount if you care for at least 35 hours a week.
Read our Carer's Allowance guide before claiming, as it can affect the benefits of the person you care for.
4. Home: adaptations, council tax and housing costs
| Help | Key facts (checked 10 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Disabled Facilities Grant | A council grant towards adaptations such as ramps, grab rails, a stairlift, a level-access shower or a downstairs bedroom. Up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. It usually depends on household income and savings over £6,000, and does not affect your benefits. Scotland does not have Disabled Facilities Grants and has its own support for equipment and adaptations: contact your council. |
| Council equipment and occupational therapy | Ask your council's adult social services for an assessment. Simple equipment and minor adaptations may be provided. |
| Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme | If your home has an extra room, bathroom or space you need because of a disability, your bill may be reduced to the next band down (or 17% off if you are in Band A). Northern Ireland uses domestic rates instead, with its own disabled person's allowance. |
| Council Tax Reduction | Help from your council if you are on a low income or get certain benefits. |
| Housing costs | Universal Credit can include help with rent; Housing Benefit continues for some people, including many over State Pension age. |
5. Energy and keeping warm
| Help | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | A one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill, usually automatic if you get certain means-tested benefits. GOV.UK said the scheme reopens in October 2026 for winter 2026 to 2027, with eligibility based on 23 August 2026. In Scotland you may need to apply to your supplier. Not available in Northern Ireland. |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £100 to £300 for winter 2026 to 2027 if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. HMRC takes it back if your income is over £35,000. In Scotland, see Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, paid automatically if you get certain benefits. Scotland has an annual Winter Heating Payment instead. |
| Priority Services Register | A free register run by energy and water companies for people who need extra help, for example because of a disability or long-term condition. Ask your supplier. |
6. Health costs
- Prescriptions: free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, you get them free if, for example, you are 60 or over, have a valid medical exemption certificate, or get qualifying benefits. Arthritis itself is not on the medical exemption list.
- Prescription prepayment certificate (England): on 10 October 2026, NHSBSA listed the prescription charge as £9.90 an item, and a certificate as £32.05 for 3 months or £114.50 for 12 months. It saves money if you need more than 3 items in 3 months or 11 items in 12 months. You can pay for the 12-month certificate by instalments.
- NHS Low Income Scheme: help with prescriptions, dental, eye and travel costs if you have a low income and no more than £16,000 in savings (higher limits apply in care homes). In Northern Ireland, use form HC1.
- Travel to hospital: help may be available through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you get qualifying benefits or have an HC2 or HC3 certificate.
7. Getting around
| Help | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Blue Badge | Parking concessions. Rules and fees differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See our Blue Badge guide. |
| Motability Scheme | Use the higher or enhanced rate of a mobility benefit to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair. See our Motability guide. |
| Vehicle tax exemption | One vehicle can be exempt if you get, for example, the enhanced rate of the PIP mobility part, the higher rate mobility of DLA, or the enhanced rate mobility of ADP. A 50% reduction is available with the standard rate of the PIP or ADP mobility part. |
| Disabled person's bus pass | Part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme if you are 'eligible disabled'. Contact your council. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own concessionary travel schemes. |
| Disabled Persons Railcard | Discounted rail fares for eligible disabled people, and a companion travelling with you. Check the eligibility criteria on the railcard website. |
| Local transport schemes | Many councils run dial-a-ride or taxi voucher schemes. |
8. Work
- Access to Work: a grant towards equipment, travel and support at work, which you do not pay back. See our Access to Work guide.
- Reasonable adjustments: your employer's legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Northern Ireland).
9. VAT relief on equipment
GOV.UK says that if you are disabled or have a long-term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use. This can include some mobility aids, adjustable beds and certain adaptations to your home. You need to confirm in writing that you qualify; the supplier may give you a form. People who are elderly but not disabled, or only temporarily disabled, do not qualify.
10. Emergency and crisis help
- Budgeting Loan or Budgeting Advance: interest-free help with essential costs such as furniture, white goods or moving, if you have been on certain benefits for 6 months (or a Budgeting Advance if you get Universal Credit). You repay it from your benefits.
- England: many councils run local welfare or crisis support schemes. Contact your council.
- Scotland: the Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants through your council.
- Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund offers emergency and individual assistance payments.
- Northern Ireland: Discretionary Support offers interest-free loans or grants in an extreme or exceptional situation.
- Charitable grants: Turn2us has a free grants search tool.
A one-page checklist
Tick off each line as you check it. Not everything will apply to you.
- ☐ I have checked whether I can claim PIP, ADP, Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment.
- ☐ I have used a benefits calculator to see whether I can get Universal Credit, ESA, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit.
- ☐ If someone helps me for 35 hours or more a week, they have looked at Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment.
- ☐ I have asked my council about an occupational therapy assessment, equipment and adaptations.
- ☐ I have asked my council about the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme and Council Tax Reduction.
- ☐ I have joined my energy and water suppliers' Priority Services Registers.
- ☐ In England, I have checked whether I get free prescriptions or whether a prepayment certificate would save money.
- ☐ I have checked Blue Badge, bus pass and railcard eligibility.
- ☐ If I work, I have asked about reasonable adjustments and Access to Work.
- ☐ I have noted when each award is due for review or renewal.
Keep copies of every form, decision letter and piece of evidence in one folder. Many awards depend on others, so a decision letter for one benefit is often your proof for the next.
Free, independent advice
Citizens Advice, Turn2us, Scope and Disability Rights UK all provide free information, and many areas have a council welfare rights service. In Northern Ireland, Advice NI can help. We are not connected to these organisations. Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to fill in benefit forms. Help is available for free.
When to get medical help
Money stress and arthritis often feed each other. If you are struggling to afford your medicines, heating or food, tell your GP or pharmacist, who may be able to help or signpost you. Speak to your rheumatology team if your symptoms are getting worse. If you feel unable to cope, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.