Information & Advice
Disability Action provides an advice service through our Belfast and Dungannon Offices.
We have four advisors and appointments can be limited due to the demand on the service.
You can contact your closest office for availability.
Quick Reference
Personal Independence Payment Advice | Form Fills | Mandatory Reconsiderations | Tribunal
As a Disabled person, you are likely to have thought about, or been spoken to about applying for PIP.
Disability or Long Term ill health often comes with some financial burden. PIP helps towards some of the extra living costs arising from having a disability, or long-term health condition that is expected to last for 12 months or longer.
PIP eligibility
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You may get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if all of the following apply to you:
You are aged 16 or over
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You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
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You have difficulties doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
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You have had these difficulties for at least three months and expect them to last for at least another nine months
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You are under State Pension age
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If you’re over State Pension age, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
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Or if you’ve received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached State Pension age.
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If you live abroad, you may be entitled to claim benefits in another European country.
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If you have moved to the UK from abroad and are not a British or Irish citizen, you may still be entitled to benefits.
How PIP works
There are two parts to PIP:
a daily living part - if you need help with everyday tasks
a mobility part - if you need help with getting around
Whether you get one or both parts and how much you get depends on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.
PIP is not affected by income or savings, it is not taxable and you can get it whether you are in work or not.
Claiming PIP if you might have 12 months or less to live
There are special rules if you're nearing the end of life and are not expected to live for more than 12 months.
If you have been given a diagnosis of less than 12 months to live, you’ll automatically get the daily living part. Whether you get the mobility part depends on your needs.
If you'd Like to apply for PIP, but need support, call one of our advisors
028 90 297880
Universal Credit Advice
Universal Credit is a payment for people below State Pension age who are on a low income or out of work. It can help with housing costs, children and childcare, and provide financial support for disabled people, carers and people who are too ill to work.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children
This benefit is for children who need help with their personal care and / or mobility as a result of an illness and/or disability. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is not means tested and is not affected by other benefits.
There are two components to Child DLA:
Care Component - for children need help with things like eating, washing, getting dressed and going on social activities.
Mobility Component - For children who have mobility needs. To qualify for the low rate mobility component they must be aged over 5 years, and for the high rate mobility component they must be aged over 3yrs
If your child is terminally ill there is no qualifying period and they can be paid the care component from birth.
Benefit Concessions For Older People
When you retire, your income usually reduces. You may qualify for certain benefits on top of any State Pension you're entitled to. Some of these benefits are age-related, others depend on income.
You can find out more about support available on the NI Direct website links below.
Housing Support and Advice
Housing Benefit can help pay the rent and rates on your home. Rate Relief is help to pay your rates. To claim, you apply to the Housing Executive.
Claiming Housing Benefit
You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent and rates for your home and you:
- are a Housing Executive tenant
- are a housing association tenant
- are a private tenant
- live in a hostel
- live in bed and breakfast accommodation
- are a boarder or lodger
Rate Relief for tenants
If you're a tenant and you're getting Housing Benefit to pay some of your rates, you may be entitled to Rate Relief. If you aren't eligible for Housing Benefit, you might qualify for Rate Relief.
Health and Social Care Advice
Disability Action can provide Advice and guidance on a wide range of health and social care support including Direct Payments, help with health costs and how to arrange health and social care.
Use the NI Direct website to find out about:
Travel Holidays and Breaks
If you have a disability, there may be a few extra things to think about before you leave home. At disability Action we are happy to provide guidance and advice, or you can visit NI Direct
It's important to remember that not all services and facilities will be available or accessible to you in different countries.
If you need a particular service or facility, check that it's available before booking your trip.
Meet the information and Advice Team
