If you’re below the State Pension age and in need of financial assistance due to a medical condition, you may be eligible for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit. PIP is designed to help those over the age of 16 with the cost of living as a result of a disability, illness, or other medical condition. 

Eligible candidates may receive as much as £184.30 per week to offset living, travel, and care expenses. In addition to this benefit, UK residents with certain diagnosed conditions may be eligible for 11 other PIP discounts and freebies worth thousands. 

Below, we’ve outlined all of the available PIP discounts and freebies available, plus tips for claiming them so you can take advantage of these cost-saving benefits. 

What is the PIP Benefit, and How Does It Work?

Unlike most benefits designed for older adults, the Personal Independence Payment benefit is for anyone over 16. Eligibility hinges on your current condition, including a diagnosed disability or a long-term mental or physical health condition. If your condition makes it difficult to perform daily tasks or impacts your mobility, financial aid may be available. 

To be eligible for PIP, both of these requirements must be met. PIP isn’t a means-tested benefit, which means you can apply and receive funding regardless of your financial status or how much money you have in savings and capital. PIP is similar to other support programs offered by the NHS and local authorities. 

PIP benefits are divided into two distinct parts – living and mobility. Eligibility, the total amount you receive, and whether or not you’ll receive both parts of the benefit all depend on how difficult it is for you to perform daily tasks and travel. Terminally ill applicants are automatically approved for the daily living portion of the benefit. Approval for the mobility benefit depends on your specific condition, needs, and limitations. 

Here’s a closer look at what limitations are considered when evaluating candidates for both living and mobility support. 

Daily Living

• Eating, drinking, and cooking
• Personal hygiene 
• Using the toilet
• Getting dressed or undressed
• Managing and taking prescribed medications
• Reading and communicating clearly
• Making important financial decisions

Mobility

• Moving around safely
• Leaving your house or travelling
• Choosing a route and being able to follow it

Not all mobility restrictions are physical. If you have a mental health condition that causes anxiety or unease regarding travel or leaving the house, you may still qualify for the PIP mobility benefit.  

The standard payout rate for the PIP daily living support is £72.65 a week, with an enhanced rate of £108.55 a week. The standard mobility payout is  £28.70 with an enhanced option of £75.75 a week, depending on the severity of your impairment.

Other PIP Discounts and Freebies 

The standard PIP benefit isn’t the only one you may qualify for. Even if you receive the maximum PIP payout of £184.30 per week, you may still be eligible for these 11 discounts.

Check them out and see if you qualify!

1. Blue Badge 

Parking can be an issue for many people with disabilities and those who struggle with getting around. Once you’re approved for PIP benefits, you can use your award letter to apply for a blue badge. This disabled badge is similar to a handicap placard in the US. Displayed on the windscreen of your vehicle, this badge allows you to park in designated spots closer to most public establishments and excuses you from certain parking restrictions. 

Most blue badge parking spots are also larger, giving you sufficient room to enter and exit your vehicle using any necessary equipment. In some areas, blue badge holders receive discounted or free on-street parking privileges. With a blue badge, you can also park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, as long as there aren’t any loading or unloading restrictions in place. Your PIP benefit letter must show that your disability limits your movement and ability to walk.

2. Toll Roads

Most congestion schemes and toll roads in the UK offer a concession for disabled individuals. This discount is available to those approved for the enhanced mobility portion of PIP and includes discounts for bridges, tunnels, and river crossings. 

3. Transport Discounts

Transport discounts are another benefit offered to UK residents facing mobility issues. These freebies provide savings on bus and rail travel. Local councils are responsible for distributing disabled person’s bus passes as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Contact your local council for more information.

You may also be eligible for a discounted railcard. Disabled persons receiving PIP for mobility issues can get as much as a third off of all rail fares. This discount railcard costs £20 per year or £54 for three years. On average, this saves you over £90 per year, depending on how often you ride the train.

4. Vehicle tax reduction 

For those who don’t use public transportation and instead own their own vehicle, they may be eligible for a vehicle tax reduction. If you receive the standard rate of the PIP mobility component, you can receive a 50% discount on all vehicle taxes, which is the same as road tax. 

On average, a vehicle owner in the UK pays as much as  £2,355 per year on vehicle tax. With a 50% discount, you could reduce your out-of-pocket costs by as much as  £1,000 annually. Only vehicles registered in your name (or the disabled person’s name) are eligible. You can also apply for this tax reduction if you’re named as the nominated driver on the PIP letter. Nominated drivers are often family members or caregivers responsible for transporting and caring for the disabled individual. 

Apply here or contact your local Post Office branch if you’re claiming your vehicle for the first time.

5. Mobility Scheme vehicle

This discount is only available if you receive the PIP enhanced rate for mobility and have 12 months or more left on your current allowance. The Motability Scheme allows you to trade a portion of your earnings (approximately £75.75 a week) toward the price of a new car, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, a scooter, or a powered wheelchair. Eligible applicants can choose from over 2,000 vehicles. This freebie also includes insurance, tax, and vehicle servicing. 

6. Disability Premium

In addition to the amount you receive from PIP, you may qualify for additional benefits through the following disability premiums.

• £19.55 a week if you’re single
• £27.90 a week if you’re in a couple and at least one of you is eligible 
• £39.85 a week if you’re single 
• £56.80 a week if you’re in a couple 
• £76.40 a week if you’re single 
• £152.80 a week if you’re in a couple and are both eligible 

Disability premiums are subject to the level and severity of your disability and whether you’re single or a couple.

In addition to receiving PIP, you also need one of the following benefits to qualify for the abovementioned disability premiums. 

• Working Tax Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (must also be approved for the daily living benefit of PIP
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support 
• Pension Credit (must also be approved for the daily living benefit of PIP)

7. Disabled Facilities Grant

If your disability requires you to make renovations or changes to your home, you can apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant. It is important to remain in your home despite having a physical or mental illness, and this discount allows you to do so safely. 

In England, the most you can receive through this grant is £30,000. In Wales, the maximum is set at  £25,000. As of now, the Disabled Facilities Grant isn’t offered to those residing in Scotland.

Modifications and the cost of renovations vary greatly, depending on your condition, the severity of your disability, and to what degree your mobility is affected. Some common home improvements covered by this grant include, but aren’t limited to:

• Installing a ramp or grab rails
• Widening doorways 
• Installing a stairlift 
• Building an extension or addition 
• Upgraded lighting or heating controls
• Installing a lower-access shower or fitting a wet room 
• Lowering kitchen worktops

8. Discounted days out

Carers in the UK are also entitled to discounts and freebies as a sign of gratitude for the work they do. These discounts vary depending on the location, but organizations like the National Trust and English Heritage offer free entry to all UK carers using the Essential Companion Card. This card is designed to make access and entry for those with disabilities easier. In turn, carers enjoy a cost-free experience. The UK Cinema Association offers a similar benefit using CEA cards. With this card, carers can gain free entry at participating cinemas.

At all Merlin Entertainment attractions, every disabled individual receives a complimentary pass for their carer. The easiest way to enjoy this benefit is by purchasing a Merlin Annual Pass. With this pass, free entry is granted to anyone assisting you during your visit. 

All of these benefits are available once you show proof of your disability. In most cases, a PIP later dated within the last two calendar years is suitable. 

9. Capped Water Bills

The average water bill in the UK is £448 a year. However, the WaterSure Scheme offers a freebie for people who receive a PIP or Disability Living Allowance. If your medical condition requires you to use a lot of water, you can get a discount on your annual or monthly expenses. All applicants have to be on a water meter or have recently applied for one. Not all water suppliers offer this discount, so make sure you check with your supplier before applying. Click here to find out who your water supplier is. 

10. Council Tax Discounts

Individuals receiving both the daily living and mobility components of PIP may be eligible for a Council Tax discount. Most local councils require proof of your PIP letter. Discounts depend on individual circumstances, as well as which rates and components of the PIP you receive. All of these questions can be answered by your local council. 

According to one report, nearly 3 million people in the UK who are eligible for the Council Tax discount don’t know it! And aren’t taking advantage of this huge savings. As much as £2.7 billion in discounts go unclaimed every year. Based on these numbers, the average discount is around £975. 

Under extreme circumstances, if an individual is classified as severely mentally impaired, they may receive complete tax exemptions. Don’t let this cost-saving opportunity pass you by! Click here to see if you’re eligible. 

11 . Free prescriptions

Medication costs are often one of the biggest expenses for anyone facing a disability or illness. However, if your condition qualifies for PIP, then you may also qualify for free prescriptions through NHS. Be sure to check the comprehensive list of approved medical conditions, as not every illness qualifies for free medication coverage. 

Illnesses that do qualify include cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes. Most physical conditions that prevent you from leaving your home without assistance also qualify for this freebie. In order to receive this discount, you need to apply for a MedEx (medical exemption) certificate. Visit the NHS Business Services Authority website for instructions on how to apply. 

You can also speak directly with your pharmacist to learn what discounts they offer. Medication coverage may vary by location.

Receive All the Benefits and Discounts You’re Entitled To

Many UK residents don’t realize all of the discounts, freebies, and incentives available to them. While some benefits, like the Attendance Allowance, are reserved for older adults, the above list of discounts is available to anyone over the age of 16 diagnosed with a mental or physical disability. 

Your first step is to apply and receive approval for some level of PIP. Based on the amount and type of assistance you’re approved for, you can then apply to these other programs and benefits. Even UK carers are entitled to some savings and discounts. 

If you don’t currently have a carer and need help finding a qualified companion in your area, we can help. Click here to take our Compare Caring quiz.