Benefits and Income Maximisation
Finding out about entitlement to benefits is often a challenge. Information online can be confusing, and the claiming process can feel overwhelming, especially in the immediate period following an MND diagnosis.
Our free and confidential benefits advice services can help take the stress out of the process and help you improve your financial situation promptly.
We have separate guidance regarding benefits for those who are caring for a loved one with MND. Please click the button below to find out more.
How we can help you
Our National Support Advisers can provide expert guidance on benefit entitlement from the point of diagnosis.
We always encourage a thorough benefit check from the outset. Our advisers will work with you with sensitivity and with confidentiality. With just some key basic information from you, they can quickly check potential entitlement and knowing the outcome can bring you peace of mind.
Sometimes, changes in your circumstances can occur over time, too. If you get back in touch when you know about such changes, our advisers can repeat the benefit check.
Sometimes, despite best efforts, issues and delays with claims and awards do occur. If you encounter any difficulties with your benefits, our skilled National Support Advisers can step in to help get a speedy resolution. We work closely with DWP and Social Security Scotland and have escalation contacts within these organisations which we can access if appropriate.
To speak to us about a benefits query, please click the button below. Alternatively, you can ask your MND clinical nurse specialist to make the referral for you. One of our National Support Advisers will then get in touch, either by phone or email, to assist you further.
Tracked Benefit Entitlement
If you are living with a terminal illness, you may be eligible to have your benefit claim fast-tracked and the resulting award paid at the highest rate/s. This type of claim is known as one paid under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness.
In Scotland, the main benefits which include a Special Rules route to claiming are:
Adult Disability Payment
Pension Age Disability Payment
Universal Credit
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you have MND, whether your claim can be decided via the Special Rules route depends on a couple of factors. DWP and Social Security Scotland use different criteria to define ‘terminal illness’, so it depends to which organisation you are applying. It can also depend on the clinical judgement of your healthcare professional/s.
Our National Support Advisors are here to support you every step of the way. If you are speaking to us about benefits, please be assured the adviser will be able to determine whether a fast-tracked claim is appropriate for you and take the appropriate steps to obtain evidence to support your claim, if so.
Benefits if you have not reached pension age
If you are living with MND, are under state pension age and living in Scotland, it is highly likely you will be eligible for Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Social Security Scotland administer and pay Adult Disability Payment.
For those with MND, entitlement to Adult Disability Payment is based on that diagnosis alone – factors such as income, savings and work are irrelevant.
People living with MND should qualify for the maximum rates of Adult Disability Payment – that is the higher rate of the Daily Living component and the higher rate of the Mobility component. In the 2026/27 tax year, the weekly rate of these components combined is £194.60, and this usually increases by a few pounds each year.
If you qualify for Adult Disability Payment, you should continue to receive both components even after reaching state pension age.
In Scotland, the claiming process for Adult Disability Payment is fast-tracked for those with a progressive or terminal diagnosis such as MND – meaning the decision and payment can be received in 1-2 weeks. There are no lengthy health questionnaires to complete, just a simple online form which our advisers can complete on your behalf. We can also ask your clinical nurse specialist to provide the medical evidence needed to support your claim.
Our experienced National Support Advisers will be happy to make the claim for Adult Disability Payment on your behalf. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss Adult Disability Payment with our advisers.
If you work for an employer and need to take time off work because of MND symptoms, you may qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) whilst you are off.
Statutory Sick Pay is a state benefit payable for every full day you are off sick. If you qualify, Statutory Sick Pay is automatically paid by your employer. Statutory Sick Pay can be paid for a period of up to 28 weeks from your first day of sickness. Periods of sickness can be linked together if they are fewer than 8 weeks apart.
To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay, you must be classed as an employee, have started work for your employer, and have been off sick for at least one full working day.
In the current tax year (2026-27), Statutory Sick Pay £123.25 a week, or 80% of your normal weekly earnings – whichever is lower.
Your employer may pay contractual sick pay on top of Statutory Sick pay, but this depends on the terms of your employment contract. If you are still employed and receiving pay but have been on sickness leave for more than 28 weeks, it is likely that Statutory Sick Pay has stopped, and the pay you are receiving is contractual sick pay only.
If you have any questions about Statutory Sick Pay, please get in touch and one of our National Support Advisers can advise you.
Universal Credit is the main means-tested benefit in the UK for those who are of working age. It is usually paid monthly and is administered by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP).
Universal Credit can top up your income if other money you have coming in falls short of a threshold set by the government.
The threshold set by the government varies depending on the circumstances of those in the household. The threshold comprises different elements added together. There is a ‘standard allowance’, and to this there may be additional elements added, depending on who is in the household. For example, elements are added for dependent children, rent costs, or people living with a disability or health condition.
Income you receive each month is compared to the total threshold. A calculation is applied by DWP to work out how much of any earnings you receive should be counted, and your savings are taken into account, too. Your savings must be under £16,000 to be eligible for Universal Credit.
If the total income counted falls below the set threshold, the difference is your monthly Universal Credit entitlement.
If you are a member of a couple, you will each need to submit an application for Universal Credit, but the DWP will join these together to form a joint claim. Usually, only one of you will receive the payment for both of you.
Universal Credit is generally claimed, and managed, online. You will have an online account where you can check your details and payments, and a journal where you can communicate via messages to DWP staff. It is also possible to make and manage claims over the phone, if preferred.
Our National Support Advisers can quickly and easily determine whether you are likely to qualify for Universal Credit – please just ask if you would like us to conduct a confidential check. They can also assist you to make a claim for Universal Credit and help intervene if any issues arise whilst receiving it.
Employment & Support Allowance is for people who have a health condition which affects their ability to work.
Employment & Support Allowance is a fortnightly payment administered by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Only those who are of working age (under state pension age) can qualify for Employment & Support Allowance.
Employment & Support Allowance is not means-tested – savings and most types of income will not affect entitlement. Because of this, ESA can often be a suitable alternative option if you have checked and are not eligible for Universal Credit.
Eligibility for Employment & Support Allowance is partly based on your National Insurance record – you will need to have made enough contributions in the 2-3 years just prior to a claim. If you are unsure whether you have paid enough, our recommendation would be to speak with one of our advisers and we can help determine if a claim is worthwhile.
The claiming process for Employment & Support Allowance can often be fast-tracked for those with a progressive diagnosis such as MND, reducing the need for health questionnaires and/or medicals. A short and straightforward online application form is required to claim Employment and Support Allowance. Our National Support Advisers can help you with this, if preferred.
If you meet the criteria for Employment & Support Allowance, the maximum rate is £145.90 a week in the 2026/27 tax year, and it usually increases by a few pounds each year.
If you have questions about Employment & Support Allowance, would like help to check eligibility or to make a claim, please get in touch and our National Support Advisers will be happy to assist you further.
As the name suggests, Council Tax Reduction is a means-tested benefit which can help reduce the amount you contribute to your council tax bill. Local authorities administer Council Tax Reduction.
You must be liable for a council tax bill to qualify.
If you are under state pension age, savings must be under £16,000 to be eligible to apply for Council Tax Reduction.
Council Tax Reduction is means-tested, which means that your income and savings are measured against a threshold set by your local authority. If your finances fall below that threshold, you could qualify. If entitled, Council Tax Reduction directly reduces your council tax bill, it is not a cash payment paid to you.
Council Tax Reduction is one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK, because people often assume they are ineligible without checking.
Our National Support Advisers can quickly and confidentially check potential entitlement to Council Tax Reduction for you or assist you to check an existing award is accurate. Please get in touch if you would like this support.
Benefits if you have reached pension age
If you are living with MND, are over state pension age, and living in Scotland, it is highly likely you will be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment. Pension age has been age 66 until recently, but this is gradually increasing to age 67 by 2028; we can check if you are unsure when you will reach pension age.
For those with MND, entitlement to Pension Age Disability Payment is based on that diagnosis alone – factors such as income, savings and work are irrelevant.
Social Security Scotland administer claims and make payment of Pension Age Disability Payment.
There are two rates for Pension Age Disability Payment, but those with MND should qualify for the higher rate. In the 2026/27 tax year, the higher rate is £114.60 a week. The rate usually increases by a few pounds each year.
The claiming process for Pension Age Disability Payment is fast-tracked for those with a progressive or terminal diagnosis such as MND – meaning your decision and payments can typically start within a week or two. Completion of a short and straightforward online application is needed and our National Support Advisers would be happy to submit this on your behalf. Our advisers can also ask your clinical nurse specialist to provide medical evidence to support your claim, meaning you can avoid having to complete lengthy, or invasive, health questionnaires.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about Pension Age Disability Payment, our National Support Advisers would be more than happy to assist you.
Your retirement pension is a regular payment from the government which you can apply for when you have reached state pension age.
Currently, state pension age is gradually increasing from age 66. By 2028, the retirement age will be 67 years. This means that people born in 1960 and 1961 will be 66+ when they can qualify.
How much you receive for your State Retirement Pension depends on things like what date you reached state retirement age, your work history and your national insurance contributions.
Our National Support Advisers are here to help if you have any questions about your State Retirement Pension.
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit available to those who are over state pension age (66-67).
Pension Credit tops up your income if it falls below a threshold set by the government.
Pension Credit is administered and paid by the Pensions Service, which is part of the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).
Pension Credit is the most underclaimed benefit in the UK – people often assume they are ineligible, when in fact they do qualify.
The calculation rules for Pension Credit are too complex to cover here, but entitlement is determined by measuring the difference between your income and the threshold set by the government. The threshold which applies to you can vary, depending on your circumstances, and the circumstances of your spouse or partner, if you are a member of a couple. There is no upper savings limit preventing a claim for PC, but savings are considered when calculating your overall income. Savings under £10,000 are disregarded.
Our experienced National Support Advisers can very quickly check potential entitlement to Pension Credit. They can also help if you have an issue with an existing claim. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about Pension Credit.
As the name suggests, Council Tax Reduction is a means-tested benefit which can help reduce the amount you need to contribute to your council tax bill. Local authorities administer Council Tax Reduction.
You must be liable for a council tax bill to qualify.
Council Tax Reduction is means-tested, which means that your income and savings are compared to a threshold set by your local authority – if your income falls below that threshold, you could qualify. If entitled, Council Tax Reduction directly reduces your council tax bill, it is not a cash payment paid to you.
For those over state pension age, if you have more than £16,000 in savings, you must also be receiving Pension Credit (PC) to be eligible to apply.
Council Tax Reduction is one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK, because people often assume they would not qualify and do not check.
Our National Support Advisers can quickly and confidentially check potential entitlement to Council Tax Reduction for you, or check an existing award is accurate. Please get in touch if you would like this support.
Help with transport
Motability Scheme
If you receive the higher rate mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance, the Motability scheme can help you get mobile.
This involves you exchanging your mobility allowance to lease a new affordable car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or motorised wheelchair.
For more information, please visit the Motability website or call 0300 456 4566 to speak to an adviser.
If you’re looking after someone with MND
Carer’s Allowance
You may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance if you look after someone with MND for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. Find out if you’re eligible. If you receive Universal Credit, you may be able to get the carer element, even if you do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
If you get Carer’s Allowance or the carer element of Universal Credit, you are not affected by the benefit cap.
Carer’s Credit
If you care for a person for at least 20 hours a week but are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you may be able to get Carer’s Credit.
This is a credit that fills gaps in your National Insurance record. This record decides whether you qualify for a State Pension, Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement
Most people in Scotland who get Carer’s Allowance also automatically receive Carer’s Allowance Supplement every six months. This benefit comes from Social Security Scotland and is usually paid in June and December.
Young Carer Grant
You may be able to claim a Young Carer Grant from the Scottish Government if you’re aged 16 to 18, live in Scotland, care for someone for an average of 16 hours a week, and have been a carer for at least the past three months. Currently, a Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £326.65.
Find out what benefits you’re entitled to
Please fill in this form to let us know you would like to speak to one of our National Support Advisers. Within ten working days, the adviser will be in touch to arrange a convenient time for an appointment.
Alternatively, you could ask your MND clinical nurse specialist to make the referral for you.
Please note: All questions marked with an asterisk (*) must be completed before submitting your application.
