Benefits for over 16 year olds
Money helps you to pay your bills and buy the things you need or want in life.
You can get money by having a job. Or, you could get benefits (money from the government) to help you.
If you feel unable to manage your benefits someone can become an appointee on your behalf. The appointee can apply to deal with your benefits for you if you are struggling with it. They can be a friend or relative, or an organisation like a solicitors or your local council.
Find out more about becoming an appointee.
If you or your young person are over the age of 16 and moving into adulthood, these benefits may support you.
Access to Work scheme
The government’s Access to Work scheme helps you get or keep a job. It is for people with a health condition or disability.
Depending on your needs you can apply for:
- a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
- advice about managing your mental health at work
- money to pay for communication support at job interviews.
Visit the government website to find out about the Access to Work scheme. Or read their easy read guide to the Access to Work scheme.
Council Tax reduction
You may be able to receive a reduction in your Council Tax, if you get one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
- the disability element in Working Tax Credit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- an increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance.
Find out if your local council can support you.
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) can cover costs for university students who have:
- mental health problems
- long term illness
- any other disability.
Disability premium payments
You can add disability premium payments to other benefits. These include:
- income support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- housing benefit.
Read more about the additional payments and if you're eligible.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
ESA gives you help:
- with your living costs if you’re unable to work
- to get back into work if you’re able to due to your disability.
Learn how employers can support you whilst at work.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is available to apply for if you or your young person is over the age of 16. PIP can help with any extra living costs if you have both:
- a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.
You can receive PIP if you:
- work
- have savings
- receive most other benefits.
See if you're entitled to PIP.
Scholarships and grants
To go to a higher education setting, you may be able to get extra funding through your university or college including:
- bursaries
- grants
- scholarships.
These do not have to be repaid. So they won’t contribute to the overall cost of going to university.
Learn more about scholarships and grants.
Vehicle tax exemption or reduction
You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get either the:
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Or, you can apply for a 50% vehicle tax reduction if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.