National Benefits Line
National Support
The National Support page on HelpTrack is to view UK-wide disability support.
This page covers many types of support from health to entertainment.
Always check eligibility!
Some schemes/benefits vary depending on your nation or local council.
Browse by category
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COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION
🏠
Reduces your council tax bill if you’re on low income or receiving certain benefits.
COUNCIL BAND REDUCTION
🏠
Reduces your council tax by one band if you’re have certain disability needs.
WARM HOME
DISCOUNT
⚡
£150 discount on your Winter electricity bill if you’re on a qualifying benefit.
WINTER HEATING PAYMENT
❄️
A singular payment of £59.75 guaranteed every winter, regardless of weather. Paid between December and February.
COLD WEATHER
PAYMENT
❄️
£25 payment for every 7 consecutive days the temperature in your area is recorded as 0°C (or below).
WATERSURE CAP
SCHEME
💧
Save money on your water bill. Must have a water meter, be on income-related benefits or a medical reason for high water usage.
WATER SOCIAL
TARIFF
💧
Reduced water charges or schemes offered by water companies for eligible households. Varies by company.
WATER CHARGE REDUCTION
💧
Up to 35% off of your water charges and waste bills for those that qualify for a council tax reduction (CTR).
DISABILITY FACILITY GRANT
♿
A grant for those who need their house adapted due to disabilities. Decision and money amount depends on your council.
SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE
♿
A grant for those who need their house adapted due to disabilities. Decision and money amount depends on your council.
ARTICLES FOR THE BLIND
📩
Free 1st Class Royal Mail postage for specific accessible/assistive items and literature for those with sight impairment.
REDIRECTION DISCOUNT
📩
People moving house (and on eligible benefits) can get a discount on the Royal Mail postage redirection service.
BLIND PERSON’S ALLOWANCE
🧾
A reduction of the income tax you pay, if you have a registered (severe) sight impairment.
BLIND TV LICENSE REDUCTION
📺
If you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired you’re entitled to a reduction on your TV licence fee.
Travel & Transport
BLUE BADGE PERMIT
🚗
A disabled parking permit that lets you park closer to your destination, including when travelling as a passenger in someone else’s car.
VEHICLE TAX EXEMPTION
🚗
If you are on higher mobility disability benefits, you are exempt from having to pay vehicle tax.
One vehicle reduction only.
VEHICLE TAX REDUCTION
🚗
If you are on standard mobility disability benefits, you may be able to get 50% off vehicle tax.
One vehicle reduction only.
MOTABILITY SCHEME
🚗
Lease a car, scooter, or wheelchair using your mobility benefit. Includes insurance, servicing and breakdown cover.
DISABLED RAILCARD
🚂
Save 1/3rd on most rail fares for you and a companion travelling with you. Covers most trains across the UK.
PASSENGER ASSISTANCE
🚂
Free assistance when travelling by train, including help boarding, lifting luggage, changing trains, and getting off.
DISABLED BUS PASS
🚌
A free bus pass for disabled people.
Travel distance depends on your council.
Bus pass is only usable in your country.
DISABLED COACHBOARD
🚌
Save 1/3rd on National Express coaches for you (carer not included).
Covers all National Express coaches.
JOBCENTRE
TRAVEL CARD
🚌
50% off bus and train travel for people actively looking for work or increased hours*. Obtained via Work Coach.
AIRPORT ASSISTANCE
✈️
A code attached to your flight booking that alerts ground staff/cabin crew that you may need extra time, a quieter environment, or other help.
Financial Support
CHEAPER BROADBAND
🖥️
Social broadband tariffs offer cheaper broadband packages to people on qualifying income-related benefits.
CHEAPER SIM CARD
☎️
Social broadband tariffs offer cheaper mobile contracts to people on qualifying income-related benefits.
LOWER VET COSTS
🐾
For those on income-based benefits, discounts on veterinary care through PDSA. Ensuring you never have to choose between bills and your pet’s health.
EQUIPMENT VAT RELIEF
♿
Disabled people don’t have to pay VAT (20%) on disabled equipment for personal use. Equipment like wheelchairs, adjustable beds, stair lifts etc.
COURT FEE EXEMPTION
🧑⚖️
No cost for family court/civil court fees if you match the requirements of your country. Usually requires income-based benefits and minimal savings.
Work/Eductation
EXAM REST BREAKS
🎓
Students with certain disabilities can have supervised rest breaks during exams. It is not applicable for all disabilities.
For GSCEs/BTEC/A-Levels/Uni.
EXAM EXTRA TIME
🎓
Students with certain disabilities can receive extra time in all of their exams.
It is not applicable for all disabilities.
For GSCEs/BTEC/A-Levels/Uni.
STUDENT ALLOWANCE
🎓
A government grant (NOT a loan) for disabled students who need any adaptive tech, software, additional mentors etc.
For College and University students.
ACCESS TO WORK
💼
A government grant (NOT a loan) that pays for support for a disabled person that wants to work. Things like adaptive tech, mental health support etc.
WORK ADJUSTMENTS
💼
Employers are legally required to make reasonable adjustments if you have disabilities, making sure that you have no substantial disadvantage at work.
Health
NHS FREE PRESCRIPTIONS
🏥
People on certain benefits (usually income related) can get 100% free NHS prescriptions.
The pharmacist will likely ask why you’re exempt at the counter.
NHS LOW INCOME CERTIFICATE
🏥
If you are on low income but not on benefits, you can fill in a HC1 form. The NHS will decide if/how much you need to pay for NHS medication, dental work and eye tests. These are known as HC2/HC3 certificates.
PRESCRIPTION CERTIFICATE
🏥
If you regularly collect medication but don’t qualify for free prescriptions, a PPC certificate can help with costs. If you get more than one routine prescription a month, you save money!
NHS DENTAL HELP
🦷
People on certain benefits (usually income related) can get 100% free dental work via the NHS.
Does not apply to cosmetic work.
NHS OPTICAL HELP
👁️
People on certain benefits (usually income related) will be eligible for free standard eye tests as well as money towards their prescription/glasses.
HOSPITAL TRAVEL
🚑
People on certain benefits (usually income related) will be eligible to claim back public transport fares or fuel costs when travelling to an NHS specialist appointment.
Support
PRIORITY REGISTER
🕯️
Priority support during unexpected water, gas or power outages, such as emergency heating and cooking facilities.
CARE
REGISTER
🕯️
NI – Priority support during unexpected water, gas or power outages, such as emergency heating and cooking facilities.
VULNERABLE CUSTOMER
☎️
Get more assistance and support from broadband/mobile providers, such as priority repairs and bill management.
195
DIRECTORY
☎️
Those who can’t use a standard smartphone or directory. Call 195 and an operator will call numbers for you.
SUPERMARKET
“QUIET HOURS”
🛒
Major supermarkets dim lights, turn off music, and disable noises at tills early on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
COURT
SUPPORT
🧑⚖️
Request specialized support for attending court, such as different document formats, more breaks, accessible toilets.
ADULT SOCIAL CARE
🫶
Support/practical help for adults with disabilities, mental health conditions, or age frailties. Care to help them live independently.
CARE DIRECT PAYMENTS
🫶
Direct payments allow you to choose, manage, and pay for your own social care services instead of the council arranging them for you.
Family
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
🍽️
England – ALL families can apply to ensure their children between reception and year 2 get free school lunch.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
🍽️
Wales – families (on eligible benefits) can apply to ensure their children
from year 9 – 11 get free school lunch.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
🍽️
Scotland – families (on eligible benefits) can apply to ensure their children
from year 6-11 get free school lunch.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
🍽️
Ireland – families (on eligible benefits) can apply to ensure their children from nursery – year 11 get free school lunch.
You will also be auto applied for a uniform grant.
HEALTHY START
👶
For those that are 10 weeks+ pregnant (and are on eligible benefits), can apply for a prepaid Mastercard from the government, that can be to used towards healthy foods and vitamins.
BEST START FOODS
👶
Scotland – as soon as you are pregnant (and are on eligible benefits), can apply for a prepaid Mastercard from the government, that can be to used towards healthy foods and vitamins.
UNIFORM GRANT
🎒
England doesn’t have a grant for school uniforms specifically but you can apply for a grant to help.
UNIFORM GRANT
🎒
Scotland – if your family are on eligible benefits, you can receive an annual grant for school uniforms.
UNIFORM GRANT
🎒
Wales – if your family are on eligible benefits, you can receive an annual grant for school uniforms.
HAF PROGRAMME
📆
England – families (on eligible benefits) can apply so kids from reception to year 11 get free school meals AND holiday activities.
SURE START GRANT
👶
A tax free £500 to help towards the costs of your first child. Must be on eligible benefits.
Has a time limit to apply.
BEST START GRANT
👶
In Scotland, 3x one-off payments to help towards the cost of newborns. Must be on eligible benefits. Has a time limit to apply.
Entertainment
NIMBUS ACCESS CARD
📍
A card proving your disability difficulties. For venues to give support without you having to explain your needs.
NATIONAL DISABILITY CARD
📍
A card that unlocks shopping/leisure discounts. Can sometimes be used as proof of disability when going to events/venues.
HYNT
📍
A Welsh scheme that provides a free ticket for a personal assistant or carer at participating theatres/arts centres.
NATIONAL TRUST COMPANION
🏰
National Trust’s Essential Companion pass lets you bring up to 2 carers/companions with you, for free.
You still need a membership/pay entry.
ENGLISH HERITAGE COMPANION
🏰
English Heritage’s Essential Companion pass lets you bring up to 2 carers/companions with you, for free.
You still need a membership/pay entry.
CEA CINEMA CARD
📽️
A free cinema ticket for ONE companion accompanying a disabled person at participating cinemas across the UK.
(90% of cinemas).
COMMENTARY HEADSET
⚽
Blind/partially sighted fans can request a headset at most major stadium grounds to hear real-time commentary of sports.
PURPL DISCOUNTS
🛍️
Membership discounts to over 350 different UK brands. Made for disabled people, with lots of discounts on disability products.
EVERYONE CAN GAMING
🎮
A specialist service helping disabled people find and adapt tech/gaming equipment to match their physical needs.
WHY HELPTRACK?
No gate keeping, no hidden fees.
A directory built by two disabled English citizens who know the struggles of finding disability help in the UK.
- Completely free
- No sign ups
- Frequently reviewed information
- Written in plain English
- Accessible website across all devices