Helpful Links regarding benefits
Struggling with mental health can be difficult financially as well as emotionally. While we are not legal advisors, we understand that you may have money worries and might not be aware of what is available to you or how to apply for it. The links below offer advice on the benefits available to those too unwell to work.
- Rethink.org is a mental health website dedicated to providing support and advice for those with mental illness
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/welfare-benefits-and-mental-illness - Citizens advice bureau provides free and confidential advice to those residing in the UK
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/ - Mind.co.uk – Your local mind may provide advice and advocacy services
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/ - Turn2us is a national charity providing support when things are tough financially
https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou - Gov.uk is the national government website which provides a benefit calculator and information on what benefits are available and how to apply
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Filling in the forms
Filling in the forms while applying for benefits can be an arduous process, it can be very difficult to explain how your mental health affects your ability to do day to day tasks. There are people who can help you with this process and explanations online. Please use the below links to support you if you’re having difficulty.
- Citizens advice bureau provides free and confidential advice to those residing in the UK
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/ - Turn2us is a national charity providing support when things are tough financially
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Work-Capability-Assessment/The-questionnaire-(ESA50)
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Personal-Independence-Payment-(PIP)-Test/What-is-the-PIP-test - Rethink.org is a mental health website dedicated to providing support and advise for those with mental illness
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/employment-support-allowance
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/personal-independence-payment
https://www.rethink.org/living-with-mental-illness/money-issues-benefits-employment/universal-credit
Permitted work while receiving benefits
In some cases you may be allowed to do a certain amount of “permitted” paid or unpaid work without it affecting your benefits. This mostly applies to people in the ESA work related or support groups. We hope the links below give a little information on what you can and can’t do while claiming.
- Citizens advice bureau provides free and confidential advice to those residing in the UK
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/working-while-getting-esa/ - Entitledto.co.uk provides information on benefits you might be entitled to
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules - Turn2us is a national charity providing support when things are tough financially
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Employment-and-Support-Allowance-Permitted-Work/What-is-permitted-work-Employment-and-Support-All