If you’re facing a health problem, your finances may be the last thing on your mind. But to avoid money worries building up, try and sort out your money situation as soon as you can. You might be entitled to sick pay, sickness or disability benefits. This guide also covers support from your local council, and where to get help with everyday costs like prescriptions, electricity and gas.
Changes announced in the Autumn Statement
Some of the information on this page will be affected by the changes announced by the government on 22 November 2023. Most won't happen until April 2024 or later.
To find out what's happening, see our blog What the Autumn Statement means for you.
Help from your employer
Get sick pay
If you are unable to work due to ill health, you might want to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). You can get SSP for up to 28 weeks if:
- you’re employed – but unable to work; or
- your average earnings are at least £123 a week.
The rate for SSP is £109.40 a week (2023/24). It’s paid by your employer in the same way as your wages.
Some employers have more generous sick pay schemes and others will assess cases individually.
Check the terms of your contract or the staff handbook to find out what’s available.
If your employer is refusing to pay Statutory Sick Pay
If you’re employer refuses to pay SSP, or isn’t paying you the full amount;
Contact the HMRC statutory payment dispute team:
Telephone: 0300 322 9422
Textphone: 0300 200 3212
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Ask for support so you can return to work
If you’re able to return to work, you have the legal right to ask your employer to make reasonable adjustments so that it’s easier for you to continue working.
These adjustments could include:
- flexible working hours
- changing your responsibilities.
- using specially adapted equipment – for example your computer, keyboard, telephone, chair or desk.
Check your workplace pension
If you’ve been paying into a workplace pension, ask your employer or pension provider whether there are any ill-health benefits you might be entitled to.
If there are, find out how much they’re worth and how long they’ll last.
For example, you might be able to retire early if you’re unable to continue working.
Benefits and entitlements
Claim all the State benefits you’re entitled to
If you have a health condition or are disabled, you could be entitled to benefits that will:
- top up your income – for example, Universal Credit
- help you with essential costs – for example, the housing costs element of Universal Credit
- allow someone who cares for you to claim Carer’s Allowance
- help you with the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition – for example, Personal Independence Payment.
If you’re on a low income and making a new claim or updating your claim because of a change in circumstances, you usually now have to claim Universal Credit.
You won’t have to claim Universal Credit if you qualify for (or are already getting) Severe Disability Premium or are over State Pension age.
Use our Benefits Calculator
If you’re living on a low income or have had an income shock, use our Benefits Calculator to quickly find out what you could be entitled to.
Take a look at these useful guides:
Universal Credit an introduction
What disability and sickness benefits can I claim?
If you’re having to move from existing benefits onto Universal Credit, see How will moving to Universal Credit will affect me?
For a more general guide to benefits, see Help with the cost of living
Help with NHS health costs
Top tip
Most people have to pay for prescriptions in England. If you’re on Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, your prescriptions are usually free.
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whatever your age and circumstances.
If you live in England and you’re getting certain benefits or you’re on a low income, you might be able to get help with health costs.
These include:
- dental costs
- eyecare costs
- NHS prescriptions; and
- help with travel costs to hospital appointments.
If you have a health condition that may become more long term, see our guides:
Do I qualify for local council funding for care costs?
How to fund your long-term care: a beginner’s guide
Claim on insurance
Check whether you have insurance policies that would cover your mortgage payments or replace some of your income.
For example:
- critical illness insurance
- income protection insurance
- payment protection insurance
- mortgage payment protection insurance
- short-term income protection insurance.
These types of insurance are often offered with life insurance policies or mortgages.
Claim straight away as there’s usually a waiting period before the policy pays out. So the sooner you send your claim the better.
Contact your gas and electricity suppliers
Get in touch with your energy supplier as soon as possible.
Tell them that you have a long-term health condition or are disabled and ask them if you qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
Applications for the Warm Home Discount open each year in October and if you qualify you can save £150 a year.
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free service that can make sure you get the extra support you need. You can sign up by contacting your supplier.
If you tell your energy supplier about your health condition, they might also provide:
- advance notice of planned power cuts, such as from engineering work
- priority support, such as heating and cooking facilities in an emergency
- protection from being cut off if you fall into arrears
- a nominee scheme, so a family member or carer can receive your communications and bills
- help accessing, reading or moving your meter
- free annual safety checks
- accessible information, e.g., your bills in large print or braille.
Help from your local council
If your condition means you have difficulty getting around or doing day-to-day tasks your local council might provide support with things such as:
- shopping and cleaning
- personal care and day-to-day tasks
- special equipment related to your illness or impairment
- small adaptations to your home (like handrails on your bath).
The first step is to get your needs assessed by your council.
See our guide on Local authority funding for care costs– do you qualify?
Find your local council at GOV.UK
Help with your Council Tax
You may be able to get a discount on your Council Tax if you’re disabled, or if someone in your household is disabled.
Help with charitable grants
There are many organisations and associations that offer grants to people and their families to help them cope with a lower income and the extra costs of being sick or disabled.
Grants might be available through a trade union or a benevolent association linked to the kind of work you do.
There are also organisations that give grants to certain groups of people, such as older people or those with a particular need.
Review your budget
If you’re now going to have to manage on a lower income, it’s important to look at your budget straight away to make the most of your income.
If you can’t manage your money alone
If your health condition or disability is making it difficult for you to manage your money on your own, you can ask someone else to help you.
Get emotional support
If you’ve recently become disabled, your life might have changed dramatically. You might want to make contact with others in a similar situation.
If you think your illness or disability is affecting your mental health, make an appointment to see your GP.
If you live in England or Wales, find links disability groups and local organisations on the Scope websiteOpens in a new window
In Scotland, go to Disability Information ScotlandOpens in a new window
In Northern Ireland, visit Disability ActionOpens in a new window
