Last updated:
02/12/2021

Welfare Benefits for Mental Health

Find out what welfare benefits you can claim for a mental health condition with this free welfare benefits advice and mental health guide.

If you live with a mental health condition, there are several welfare benefits you may be able to claim, which can help you pay for day-to-day costs such as:

Food.
Rent.
Childcare.
Water, gas and electricity.

We understand that applying for benefits with a mental health condition can be difficult and confusing.

The Mental health and Money Advice welfare benefit guides are written specifically to help people with a mental health condition claim the benefits they qualify for.

What benefits can I apply for If I have a mental health condition?

If you live with a mental health condition and are struggling with money, you may be able to claim one or more of the following welfare benefits:

Remember, it’s up to you to make sure that you get the benefits that you are entitled to – the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and your local council do not have to tell you what you should claim.

You can use an online benefits checking tool to see what you may be able to claim, but please remember that the tool is a guide; it can’t tell you if your claim will be successful.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for anyone whose physical or mental health makes it difficult for them to take part in everyday life. You may be entitled to claim PIP if your mental health makes it difficult for you to:

Work.
Speak to people.
Go shopping or pay bills.
Prepare food or eat.
Wash or bathe yourself.

PIP is a non-means-tested benefit. This means PIP is not affected by any savings, income, or capital (anything that has a monetary value) you have. Find out if you are eligible to claim by reading our free PIP Mental Health Guide.

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit (UC) is a benefit you can claim if you have a physical or mental health condition that prevents you from working. You can also claim UC if:

You care for someone with a mental health condition.
You are looking for work.
You are working, but your wages are low.

UC is a means-tested benefit. This means that it can be affected by any savings, income, or capital (anything that has a monetary value) you have.

Universal Credit is slowly replacing earlier means-tested ‘legacy’ benefits. So if you are making a welfare benefits claim for the first time, you may be directed to apply for UC before anything else.

Find out if you can claim Universal Credit for your mental health condition by reading our free Universal Credit Mental Health Guide.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit you can claim if you have a physical or mental health condition that affects your ability to work.

You may be able to apply for ‘new style’ ESA if you meet the following conditions:

Your mental health condition affects how much you can work.
You are under the State Pension age.
You have worked as an employee or been self-employed.
You have paid enough National Insurance (NI) contributions.

You may be able to claim ‘new style’ ESA for your mental health condition along with Universal Credit.

Find out if you can claim ESA for your mental health condition by reading our free Employment and Support Allowance guide.

Other benefits you may be able to claim for your mental health condition

Council tax reductions, exemptions, and support to pay

Local authorities offer council tax reductions, exemptions, and support options if you or someone you care for suffers from poor mental health.

Learn more about Council Tax support for mental health conditions.
Learn more about Council Tax support for mental health carers.

Sick pay for a mental health illness

Every employer must pay their employees statutory sick pay (SSP) if they cannot work because of a mental illness.

Learn more about Statutory Sick Pay for mental illness.

Housing benefit for mental health support

Housing benefit (HB) can help you pay your rent if you are on a low income and suffer from poor mental health.

Learn more about Housing Benefit.

Jobseeker’s Allowance for mental health support

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is a ‘legacy’ benefit gradually replaced with Universal Credit. You can claim JSA if you are an existing JSA claimant and meet all the conditions.

Learn more about Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Working Tax Credits (WTC) for mental health support

Working Tax Credits is another ‘legacy’ benefit replaced with Universal Credit. You can only claim WTC if you have an existing claim.

Learn more about Working Tax Credits.

H3: Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Support for Mortgage Interest is a benefit to help reduce the risk of losing your home if you cannot pay the mortgage.

SMI helps you pay the interest on your mortgage payments, for example, if your mental health condition or illness prevents you from working.

Learn more about Support for Mortgage Interest.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a benefit you may be able to claim if you are over the state pension age, and your mental health condition means you need help looking after yourself.

Learn more about Attendance Allowance.

Cold Weather Payment

You may be able to get Cold Weather Payment if you live with a mental health condition and claim specific benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest to help with heating costs during periods of very cold weather.

Learn more about Cold Weather Payment.