What benefits may I be entitled to?
Having epilepsy does not automatically entitle you to claim benefits. These are some of the benefits you may be eligible to apply for, depending on how your epilepsy affects you, and your financial situation.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if your epilepsy means that you need someone to help look after you. You need to have reached State Pension age to claim Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child with epilepsy who is under 16, and who needs more looking after than a child who does not have epilepsy.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if your epilepsy affects how much you can work.
Pension Credit
You may be able to claim Pension Credit if you have reached State Pension age and meet eligibility criteria.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
You may be able to claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), to help with extra costs, if you have a long-term disability or health condition, and have trouble doing some everyday tasks, or with getting around. You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings, or are getting most other benefits.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland. Universal Credit has replaced these benefits for most people:
- Housing Benefit;
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Child Tax Credit;
- Working Tax Credit; and
- Income Support.
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income, out of work, or if you're unable to work because of a health condition.
Work and employment
Having epilepsy does not necessarily stop someone from doing the job they want, but there are some issues which can affect work.
What do I need to think about when claiming benefits for my epilepsy?
If you are applying for a benefit, you will need to complete a form about how your condition affects you. Depending on the benefit you are applying for, the form may be online, or you may need to request a form by phone.
Completing the form
Some people with epilepsy can claim health-related benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, and Employment Support Allowance.
What if my claim is unsuccessful?
When a decision is made about your claim for a benefit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to tell you about the decision and why it was made.
Organisations that can help
If you are applying for benefits for the first time, reapplying after a change in your circumstances, or appealing a benefits decision, here are some organisations that may be able to help you.
Want to know more?
Download our benefits factsheet