Can You Claim Benefits If You Suffer From Depression?
By
HuutiMoney
Depression is a mental health condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to work and live a normal life. The following article will serve as a guide providing an overview of the benefits available to people with depression in the UK, as well as the eligibility criteria for some of the common benefits.
Can You Claim Benefits If You Suffer From Depression?
Yes, you can claim benefits if you suffer from depression. If your depression is severe and prevents you from working, you may be able to claim the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
If you can work but your depression affects your ability to do your job, you may be able to claim:
- Universal Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Job Seeker’s Allowance
In addition to this, individuals suffering from depression can also apply for the following benefits:
- Council Tax Reduction
- Statuary Sick Pay
- Housing Benefit For Mental Health Support
- Working Tax Credits
- Support For Mortgage Interest
- Cold Weather Payment
In most cases, the purpose of these benefits is to help individuals suffering from depression, meet the costs of their day-to-day lives. Primarily, these include expenses related to renting, food and childcare.
However, there will be a formal assessment in the case of certain benefits and it is only based on the results of the assessment that an applicant can be confirmed as a claimant. These assessments are officially carried out by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP).
If you know someone who requires urgent care due to their mental health condition, you can call the NHS at 111 or 999 for an emergency. For long-term care, you can consult the mental health service at the NHS by enrolling on therapy and counselling.
What Are Some Of The Key Benefits You Can Claim With Depression?
Some of the key benefits that one can claim due to depression include the following:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a state benefit that is slowly replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA). It is intended to provide support to members of the community who are unable to meet their living costs due to a physical or mental condition or a disability that prevents them from performing everyday tasks.
- Attendance Allowance is a tax-free state benefit applicable to those individuals who have surpassed the state pension age and require supervision due to their health condition. It is aimed at providing a monthly allowance to those who need assistance with meeting the extra costs of a disability or the support of a carer due to old age.
- To qualify for Universal Credit you must be on a low income and your savings should be below £16,000. However, you will be asked to sign a Claimant Commitment; according to which your Work Coach will encourage you to prepare for a job and look for work. They will also ask you to attend regular meetings and will guide you in your job search.
- In the case of Employment and Support Allowance, you will be able to qualify if you have made sufficient contributions towards National Insurance in the previous 2 to 3 years. However, your means will not be tested for this benefit. This means that the authorities will not take into consideration whether you are on a low income or not or if you have savings below a certain threshold.
You can use an online Benefits Calculator to see which benefits you can apply for.
How Do You Claim Personal Independence Payment For Depression?
To claim Personal Independence Payments, you can use the following methods:
- Make a phone call at 0800 917 2222 or +44 191 218 7766 if you are calling from abroad
- Send a text message to 0800 917 7777
- Use Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone using 18001 then 0800 917 2222
- Apply through the post to the following address:
Personal Independence Payment New Claims
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AH
Prior to that, you will need to make sure that you meet the below-listed criteria:
- living in England, Scotland or Wales
- have a long-term disability, physical or mental condition
- find it difficult to perform everyday tasks
- expect these difficulties for at least one year
In simple terms, an individual can qualify for PIP if they find it difficult to perform basic activities such as going to work, speaking to people, going shopping, paying their bills, preparing food or eating, washing or bathing themselves.
PIP has recently replaced DLA and has two parts; the daily living component and the mobility component. These are further subdivided into two rates; which are standard and enhanced.
How Do You Claim Attendance Allowance For Depression?
To claim Attendance Allowance, claimants must fill out the Attendance Allowance claim form and send it to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance (there is no requirement for a postcode or stamp).
However, they must fulfil the below eligibility criteria:
- be under State Pension Age
- require help with washing themselves, getting dressed, or need to be monitored to remain safe during the day or night
- be faced with a physical or mental illness, disability, or terminal illness that increases the requirement of being supervised or being taken care of by someone else
- be in England at the time of making the claim and must have lived in England for at least 2 of the previous 3 years
If the recipient of the Attendance Allowance has a carer looking after them, their carer becomes eligible for Carer’s Allowance if the carer spends at least 35 hours per week taking care of the recipient and their income after tax is less than £128.
If you wish to claim Attendance Allowance, you can contact them on their helpline.
Conclusion:
The process of claiming benefits can be complicated and time-consuming, but it is worth it if you are struggling to cope with your depression. Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life. From your relationships to your job, depression can make it difficult to function. In the UK, there are several benefits available to people with depression, including Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, and Universal Credit.
FAQs: Can You Claim Benefits If You Suffer From Depression?
Does depression count as a disability?
Yes, if someone has severe depression that prevents them from performing everyday tasks such as eating or washing, their state of depression will count as a disability.
Can I claim benefits if I leave my job due to depression?
Yes, you can claim benefits if you leave your job due to depression. However, you will have to prove that you had good reason to resign from your job and provide supportive evidence to defend your claim.
Where can my mentally ill son live in the UK?
You may be able to take your son to a “crisis house” in an urgent situation but this is only a short-term solution. In the case of mental health concerns, the patient’s doctor will be able to advise what living conditions are best for them.
What are the benefits of a Disability Living Allowance?
A Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free state benefit that provides financial support to individuals with a disability to meet the additional costs for mobility and care.
What other benefits does PIP entitle you to?
Depending on the level of PIP that a claimant is eligible for, they may also be entitled to receive Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit.
References:
Benefits and mental health | Disability charity Scope the UK
Claiming benefits when you have a mental health problem – Mind
What benefits can I claim for depression and anxiety in the UK? | Marca