Disability Benefits & Support 2026
Free calculators and rate guides for UK disability benefits — updated for the April 2026 DWP uprating. PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, and DLA all in one place.
Which benefit applies to you?
UK disability support depends primarily on your age — select the right tool below.
Aged 16–65 (working age)
→ PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
→ New-style ESA via Universal Credit
Aged 66+ (State Pension age)
→ Attendance Allowance
→ Pension Credit disability addition
Under 16
→ DLA for Children (care & mobility components)
Caring for someone
→ Carer's Allowance (35+ hrs/week caring)
Disability Calculators 2026
PIP Points Calculator
Walk through all 12 daily living and mobility activities and estimate your likely PIP award level. Based on the DWP descriptor scoring system for the 2026 assessment framework.
PIP Eligibility Guide 2026
Not sure whether to apply? This guide explains the qualifying conditions, the 3-month and 9-month rule, and what evidence strengthens a PIP claim — without going through the full points assessment.
Adult Disability Payment Calculator
Calculate your weekly and annual ADP award for 2026/27. Scotland's replacement for PIP — same rates, no standard face-to-face assessment, and unaffected by the November 2026 4-point rule change.
Attendance Allowance Checker
Check eligibility for the lower or higher rate based on your daytime and night-time care needs. Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and does not reduce Pension Credit — it can actually increase it.
Carer's Allowance Calculator
Check whether you qualify for Carer's Allowance — for people providing at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. Includes the earnings threshold check.
DLA Calculator (Children & Legacy)
Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 with care or mobility needs. Also covers adults who are still receiving DLA before being reassessed for PIP — check your current rates and what to expect at review.
Blue Badge Eligibility Checker
Check whether you qualify automatically (DLA, PIP, blind registration) or under discretionary criteria for a disabled parking Blue Badge. Covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Disability Benefit Rates from April 2026
All rates increased by 3.8% from 6 April 2026, in line with September 2025 CPI. Existing claimants receive the new rates automatically — no action required.
| Benefit & component | Rate level | Weekly (2026) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIP — Daily Living | Standard (8–11 pts) | £72.65 | £3,777.80 |
| PIP — Daily Living | Enhanced (12+ pts) | £108.55 | £5,644.60 |
| PIP — Mobility | Standard (8–11 pts) | £28.70 | £1,492.40 |
| PIP — Mobility | Enhanced (12+ pts) | £75.75 | £3,939.00 |
| Attendance Allowance | Lower rate (day or night) | £76.70 | £3,988.40 |
| Attendance Allowance | Higher rate (day and night) | £114.60 | £5,959.20 |
| Carer's Allowance | — | £83.30 | £4,331.60 |
Full tables with historical comparisons: PIP Rates 2026 → | Attendance Allowance Rates 2026 →
How Disability Benefits Work Together in 2026
PIP and Universal Credit — LCWRA
PIP does not count as income for Universal Credit and does not reduce your UC award. More importantly, receiving the daily living component of PIP (at either rate) can support a claim for the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of Universal Credit — worth an additional £416.19 per month in 2026, on top of your standard UC allowance. LCWRA requires a separate Work Capability Assessment, but a PIP daily living award is strong supporting evidence.
Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit
Attendance Allowance does not reduce Pension Credit — it can increase it. Receiving AA triggers a disability addition on top of Pension Credit. If you are not currently claiming Pension Credit, being awarded AA may bring you into eligibility. Contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 after any AA award to request a Pension Credit recalculation.
Carer's Allowance and the carer premium
If you receive Carer's Allowance, or are entitled to it but cannot receive it due to the overlapping benefit rule, you may qualify for a carer premium or carer element added to Universal Credit (£198.31/month in 2026) or Housing Benefit. You qualify for Carer's Allowance only if the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit — PIP daily living (either rate), Attendance Allowance (either rate), or DLA care component at middle or highest rate.
DLA for children — what happens at 16?
When a child receiving DLA turns 16, the DWP will invite them to apply for PIP. DLA does not automatically convert — a full PIP assessment is required. The DLA award continues until the PIP decision is made, so there is no gap in payment if the application is made promptly when the invitation arrives.
Preparing a Disability Benefit Claim in 2026
Why use a calculator before applying?
Most disability benefit decisions — particularly PIP — are based on a points scoring system applied to a set of daily living and mobility activities. Using our PIP points calculator before completing the official PIP2 form helps you understand which activities carry the most weight and how the DWP assessor will interpret your responses.
The most common reason for an initial PIP refusal is that the claimant described their abilities on a good day rather than on a typical or bad day. The DWP asks how you manage each activity safely, reliably, repeatedly, and within a reasonable time. If completing an activity causes pain, takes significantly longer than it would for someone without your condition, or cannot be repeated, that should be reflected in your answers.
What evidence helps a claim?
- Letters or reports from a GP, consultant, physiotherapist, or mental health team
- Care plans, occupational therapy assessments, or social worker reports
- A personal statement describing your daily routine and specific difficulties
- Evidence from a carer or family member who witnesses your needs first-hand
You do not need to submit evidence with your initial claim — the DWP will usually contact your GP directly. However, providing supporting evidence upfront significantly reduces the chance of refusal and the need for a mandatory reconsideration or appeal.
Mandatory reconsideration and appeals
If your claim is refused, you have one month from the decision date to request a Mandatory Reconsideration. If that is unsuccessful, you can appeal to an independent First-tier Tribunal. According to DWP statistics, approximately 68% of PIP appeals at tribunal are decided in the claimant's favour. Citizens Advice provides free help with reconsiderations and appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PIP and Attendance Allowance?
PIP is for people aged 16 to State Pension age (66) with a long-term physical or mental health condition. Attendance Allowance is for people who have already reached 66 and need help with personal care or supervision. If you are already on PIP when you turn 66, you stay on PIP — you do not switch to AA. If you have never claimed before and are over 66, you apply for AA.
How much is PIP in 2026?
From April 2026, PIP daily living is £72.65/wk (standard) or £108.55/wk (enhanced). Mobility is £28.70/wk (standard) or £75.75/wk (enhanced). The maximum combined award is £184.30/wk. You need 8 points for standard rate and 12 for enhanced on each component — assessed separately. Full details at PIP Rates 2026.
Can I claim PIP and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes. PIP does not count as income for Universal Credit and does not reduce your UC award. Receiving PIP daily living (either rate) may also support a claim for the LCWRA element of UC, worth an additional £416.19/month in 2026, subject to a Work Capability Assessment.
How much is Carer's Allowance in 2026?
Carer's Allowance is £83.30 per week from April 2026. You must care for someone for at least 35 hours per week who receives a qualifying disability benefit, and your net earnings must not exceed £151 per week after allowable deductions. You cannot receive Carer's Allowance at the same time as the State Pension if your pension is higher — but you may still be entitled to the carer element of Universal Credit.
What is DLA and who still receives it?
Disability Living Allowance has been replaced by PIP for working-age adults, but DLA for children under 16 still exists. Adults on DLA are gradually being reassessed and invited to apply for PIP. If you are an adult still receiving DLA, do not stop your claim — wait for a formal invitation from the DWP, and then apply for PIP. Your DLA payments continue until the PIP decision is made.
Does Attendance Allowance affect Pension Credit?
No — and it can increase it. AA does not count as income for Pension Credit. Receiving AA can trigger a disability addition on top of your Pension Credit award. If you are already on Pension Credit and are awarded AA, contact the Pension Service to have your award recalculated — this step is often missed. See Attendance Allowance Rates 2026 for the full picture of what AA can unlock.