Financial support

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a benefit to help people with costs, such as paying rent, buying food and paying bills. It is means tested– this means that the government looks at how much money you earn and how much you have in savings. You can also get more money if you have a disability or health condition that makes it harder for you to work.

People who get Universal Credit have to do different things to make sure they keep getting their money. This is different for everyone, but it could include things like applying for a certain amount of jobs each week or doing training. If you don’t do these things, you could be sanctioned – this means that your benefits could be reduced or stopped.

Can I apply for Universal Credit?

Universal Credit helps people who do not have enough money for their living costs. This could be because:

• they have lost their job and/or they are trying to get a job.
• they can’t work because of their health or a disability
• they have a job but they don’t earn enough money to pay their bills.

If this applies to you, you can apply for Universal Credit if:

• you are 18 or over
• you live in the UK
• you have no more than £16,000 in savings.

Some people can apply for Universal Credit when they are 16 or 17, but this is usually only if you don’t live with your parents or carers and they don’t support you with money.

How much money will I get?

The amount of money you get as Universal Credit depends on lots of things. The government will look at:

• how much money you earn
• how much money you have in savings
• your rent or housing costs (if you live outside of your parents’ home)
• if you’re a carer
• if you have children
• if you have a disability or health condition that makes it harder for you to find and/or stay in work.

How do I apply for Universal Credit?

You can apply for Universal Credit online. Start by making an account. You have to finish your application within 28 days of making your account.

To apply for Universal Credit, you will need:

• an email address – if you don’t have one already, you should set one up
• your National Insurance number
• a bank account for the money to be paid into
• a document to prove your identity – for example, a passport, driving licence or debit card.

When you fill in the application form, you will need to give information about:

• your rent or mortgage costs
• how much you are paid at your job (if you have one)
• any disability or condition that affects your work, including your deafness or hearing loss
• how much money you have in savings
• how much childcare costs (if you have a child).

You will need evidence, such as payslips, bank statements and rent receipts.

If you have problems or you have questions, you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. If you can not hear or speak on the phone, you can use Relay UK for text relay or use the video relay service to speak to someone through BSL.

If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, Citizens Advice can help you apply.

• Citizens Advice for information about getting support in England and Wales
• Citizens Advice Scotland for getting help in Scotland.

What is a work capability assessment?

A work capability assessment is a way of deciding whether someone with a disability or health condition is able to work.

Most deaf people have jobs, and it is your legal right to be supported and included at your workplace. But depending on how your deafness or any other disabilities affect you, you might find it harder than other people to work or find a job. This means that you may be able to get extra money or support to find a job through Universal Credit. To claim this money, you have to have a work capability assessment.

You won’t need to have a work capability assessment if you are not claiming extra money or support based on your deafness or another disability or condition.

There are two parts to a work capability assessment:

• a questionnaire
• a face-to-face appointment.

The questionnaire will have lots of questions about your disability and how it affects you. You should fill it out honestly and be open about any difficulties you have. You can send in evidence to back up the information, like medical reports and treatment plans.

When the assessor gets your questionnaire, they will look at it and your evidence. They might get in touch with your doctor or audiologist for more information.

Then you will be invited to a face-to-face appointment with an assessor. They will ask you questions about your deafness and any other conditions. The assessor may not be deaf-aware, so you may need to explain some things.

After this, the assessor will write a report and send it to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP will then make a decision.

It can be very difficult to pass a work capability assessment. There are lots of conditions you have to meet to show that your disability affects how you work. Because of this, the DWP might decide that you can’t have the extra money or support. If you are successful, you might qualify for more support to find a job or get extra money.

I’ve applied for Universal Credit – what happens next?

If you are successful, you should receive your first payment within six weeks. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you will get your payments every month. In Scotland, you may be able to get them weekly.

To keep getting Universal Credit, you have to follow something called a Claimant Commitment. This is a to-do list that you agree with your work coach. This is based on your personal circumstances – for example, if you have a job already or have a disability or health condition.

Some people may not have any tasks at all, but other people may need to do things like:

• write a CV
• go to training courses
• apply for a certain number of jobs a week.

If you have tasks to do on your Claimant Commitment, you must do them or you will be sanctioned. This means that you may get less money or no money at all for some time.

If you think your Claimant Commitment should change, you should speak to your work coach. If they won’t change it, you can complain to the DWP.

If things change – for example, if you get more hours at your job – you should let your work coach know straight away. If you don’t, you may be given too much money and have to pay it back later.

What is Adult Disability Payment?

Adult Disability Payment is a benefit for people aged 16 or over with a disability or long-term health condition, who live in Scotland. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead.

Adult Disability Payment is not means tested.

Can I apply for Adult Disability Payment?

You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if:

• you are aged 16 or over
• you have a disability or a long-term health condition
• you live in Scotland.

There are two parts to Adult Disability Payment – one is called the Daily Living part and the other is the Mobility (or ‘getting around’) part. You could claim one or both of these:

• The Daily Living part supports people who have difficulties with day-to-day activities. This could be things like reading and understanding words, symbols and signs, or communicating with other people.

• The Mobility part is to help people who find it hard to get around outside their home. This may be because they have problems walking, they find it challenging to plan and follow a journey or can’t hear to be able to travel safely.

How do I apply for Adult Disability Payment?

Stage 1: Starting your application

Start your application with Social Security Scotland online, by telephone or post:

Online

• Go to the Apply Online page on the Scottish Government website.
• Make an account and begin filling in the form.
• You don’t have to complete the form straight away. You can start it, save it, and go back to it later.
• The form has two parts. You should fill in Part 1 (which asks for personal details) within two weeks (14 days). You should send back Part 2 within eight weeks (56 days). You can ask Social Security Scotland for more time to finish Part 2 if you need it.

Telephone and post

• Phone Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. If you are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can call by video relay using the Contact Scotland app.
• The operator will ask you for some details. They will fill out Part 1 of the form for you.
• Social Security Scotland will send you a paper copy of Part 2 in the post. You should fill this out and send it back within eight weeks (56 days). You can ask Social Security Scotland for more time to finish it if you need it.

Stage 2: Filling in the form

The form has two parts. Part 1 asks for personal details, information about your deafness and any other conditions, and contact details for your doctor and other health professionals. This is so that Social Security Scotland can check things with them.

You only have to fill in Part 1 yourself if you apply online. If you apply by telephone and post, the operator will take these details and fill in this part for you.

Part 2 has lots of questions about how your deafness affects different areas of your life. The form is for people with all sorts of health conditions and disabilities, so it is likely that not all of them will apply to you. If you have any other disabilities or illnesses, you should include details about these in the same form.

The form will ask you about:

• eating and drinking
• preparing food
• looking after your health
• washing and bathing
• going to the toilet
• dressing and undressing
• communicating with people through speech
• reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
• mixing with other people
• making decisions about money
• planning and following journeys
• moving around.

There may be some tasks the form asks about that you can do, but your deafness makes them difficult or you can only do them sometimes. You should still include this in your form. Remember STAR - only say that you can do something if you can do it:

• Safely – without putting you or someone else in any danger
• in a reasonable Time – it takes no more than twice as long for you to do it compared to other people
• to an Acceptable standard – you can do it just as well as anyone else
• Repeatedly – as many times as you need.

You can also include ‘supporting information’, which gives evidence of how your deafness affects you. This could be things like:

• medical reports, test results and treatment plans
• a diary of the support you have already
• written statements about your symptoms
• reports and plans from school, college or university
• reports from social workers.

Send these within four weeks (28 days) after you return your form. You can scan them or take a clear picture and upload them online or send photocopies by post. Make sure to write your name, date of birth, your National Insurance number and the words ‘Adult Disability Payment’ on any documents you send by mail.

Stage 3: Assessment

Once Social Security Scotland receives your form, they will read the information and start to make their decision. They might get in touch with you to find out more information or check some details.

Although most people don’t have to, you might be asked to go to an assessment appointment. This is when you will talk to a person called an assessor and they will ask you more questions about how your deafness affects you. You can bring someone with you and you can decide whether you want to meet the assessor in person, or speak to them on the phone or via video call.

Stage 4: Decision

You should get a letter from Social Security Scotland about eight to ten weeks after you apply. This will tell you whether or not you’ve been given Adult Disability Payment. It will also say how much money you will get.

If you’re not happy with the decision, you can ask for a ‘re-determination’. This means Social Security Scotland will have to look at the evidence again and make a new decision.

Can I apply if I’m under 16?

Adult Disability Payment is only for people aged 16 and over, but your parents or carers can apply for Child Disability Payment.

Information in BSL about PIP in England and Wales

Information in BSL about PIP in Northern Ireland

Information in Irish Sign Language about PIP in Northern Ireland

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment – or PIP – is a benefit for people with a long-term disability or health condition. People who get PIP receive some money from the government each month to help with the extra costs that someone might have because of their disability.

You can only get PIP if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Adult Disability Payment instead.

PIP is not means tested.

Can I apply for PIP?

You can claim PIP if you are aged 16 or over and you have a disability or long-term health condition.

Many people do not see their deafness as a disability. However, as a deaf person, you still have the right to apply for PIP, even if you don’t identify as disabled.

There are two parts to PIP – one is called the Daily Living part and the other is the Mobility (or ‘getting around’) part. You could claim one or both of these:

• The Daily Living part asks whether you have difficulties with day-to-day activities, like communicating with other people.
• The Mobility part asks you whether you find it hard to get around outside your home. This may be because you have problems walking or you can’t hear traffic behind you.

How much money would I get?

The amount of money you get depends on how much being deaf affects you.

If you have some problems doing daily tasks or getting around, you may receive the ‘standard rate’. If you have a lot of difficulties, you may get the ‘enhanced rate.’

• Daily Living: £61.85 (standard rate), £92.40 (enhanced rate)
• Mobility: £24.45 (standard rate), £64.50 (enhanced rate)

How do I apply for PIP?

If your parents received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for you, you should get a letter inviting you to apply for PIP when you turn 16. However, you don’t need this letter to apply.

Stage 1: Get in touch

Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can do this in lots of different ways:

• Telephone: Call the DWP on 0800 917 2222. If you use BSL, you can use a video relay service on a desktop, tablet or smartphone. You can also call using a textphone on 0800 917 7777. The operator will ask you for some basic information to see if you can apply for PIP. This is the quickest way to start your application and the DWP recommends that you do this if you can.
• Post: Send a letter to Personal Independence Payment New Claims, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 1AH. Explain you would like to apply for PIP. Include your name and address. The DWP will send you a paper form in the post. Complete it and return it. This will help them see if you can apply for PIP.

Stage 2: Complete your form

Next, the DWP will send you a long form called ‘How your disability affects you’, also known as the PIP2 questionnaire. This is to find out more about the difficulties that you have. See a full guide to filling in the PIP2 form.

It is important that you only use the form that the DWP sends you. You shouldn’t use a copy from the internet or from a friend. This is because each form has a special code on it that links to you.

First, you will have to fill in some personal details, information about your deafness and any other conditions, and contact details for your doctor and other health professionals. This is so that the DWP can check things with them.

Then, you will be asked to answer some questions about how your deafness affects different areas of your life. The form is for people with all sorts of health conditions and disabilities, so it is likely that not all of them will apply to you. If you have any other disabilities or illnesses, you should include these in the same form.

The form will ask you about:

• preparing food
• eating and drinking
• looking after your health and taking medicine
• washing and bathing
• going to the toilet
• getting dressed and undressed
• communicating
• reading
• mixing with other people
• managing your money
• going out
• moving around.

There may be some tasks the form asks about that you can do, but your deafness makes them difficult or you can only do them sometimes. You should still include this in your form. Only say that you can do something if you can do it:

• safely – without putting you or someone else in any danger
• repeatedly – as many times as you need
• in a reasonable time – it takes no more than twice as long for you to do it compared to other people
• to an acceptable standard – you can do it just as well as anyone else.

It is useful to send in evidence to back up your claim. This could be things like reports or letters from your audiologist, Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) or other professionals. It could also include statements from friends or family about your needs.

You usually have a month to fill out the form and send it back. The DWP should include the date for return on the form or on the letter that comes with it. It is very important that you return your form on time. If you need more time, you can call the DWP to request this, but you must do it before the deadline.

Stage 3: Deciding next steps

Once the DWP gets your form, they will give it to an assessment provider. This is a company that looks at all the evidence and decides what to do next. They might:

• ask for more information. This could mean contacting professionals like your ToD or audiologist
• arrange an appointment for a face-to-face meeting
• skip the face-to-face meeting if they have enough evidence and begin writing a report.

Stage 4: Face-to-face assessment

Most people who apply for PIP have to do an assessment. This could be over the phone, on a video call or face-to-face at your home or an assessment centre. This is a meeting with an assessor, who will ask questions to learn more about how your deafness affects you.

A few weeks after sending back your form, you should receive a letter explaining when and where your appointment will be.

If you need communication support, the assessor should provide this. It’s a good idea to get in touch with the assessment centre as soon as you get your appointment letter to arrange it and contact them a couple of days before to double check that the communication support has been booked.

Your appointment will take about one hour. In it, the assessor will ask you questions about the information on your form.

Going to an assessment is a new experience for lots of people and it’s normal to feel a little nervous. If you’re worried about your assessment, there are some things you can do to make it easier:

• You can take a parent, friend, family member, teacher, or benefits advisor with you. This can be just for support or to help you explain things. Let your assessment centre know if you want to bring someone with you.
• Before your appointment, make some notes to take with you. This can help you remember everything you want the assessor to know.
• Don’t be afraid to be honest. Some people feel uncomfortable being open about the problems they face, but it’s important that you tell the truth. If you find something hard or need extra help, tell them that.
• Feel free to explain fully. Your assessor probably won’t know much about deafness, and they may need you to go into detail. For example, you may have to explain that using a hearing aid or cochlear implant doesn’t mean your hearing is “normal”. Remember, you are the expert on your deafness.

Step 5: The decision

After your meeting, the assessor will write a report for the DWP. This helps the DWP decide if you can get PIP. The DWP will send you a letter explaining their decision and what happens next.

If you are successful, the letter will tell you more information about your payments and when you will receive them.

If the DWP does not think you meet the conditions for PIP, they will not send you any money. If you think this is wrong, you can ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. This means that the DWP must look at their decision again. See more information about challenging a PIP decision.

Can I apply if I’m under 16?

You can only apply for PIP if you are 16 or over, but your parents or carers can claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

There is lots of financial support available to help you in education or your workplace. See our education and careers pages to find out more.