There are benefits and other types of support you may be entitled to if you’re unwell or have disability following a stroke.
Sick pay from your employer
If you were employed before your stroke, your employer may have a company occupational sick pay scheme. This will entitle you to pay while you’re off work. How much you get and for how long will depend on your contract. Speak to your employer about what you are entitled to.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If your company does not have a sick pay scheme, you can still get up to £123.25 statutory sick pay (SSP) a week if you are too ill to work. This is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages.
To qualify for SSP, you have to earn an average minimum of £125 per week. Even if you are on a fixed-term or zero hours contract, or have recently started work, you can still claim SSP.
You can get SSP for up to 28 weeks. You should be paid SSP for all the full days you’re off sick that you normally would have worked.
If you are unable to return to work or are not entitled to SSP, you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.
How to find out more
Speak to your employer about SSP and their sick pay arrangements. The government website provides more details of eligibility and benefit rates.
If you disagree with a decision on SSP, you can contact the HMRC statutory payment dispute team on 0300 322 9422, or textphone 0300 200 3212.
You can get help with disputes over sick pay from ACAS. Call 0300 123 1100.
Support if you're self-employed
If you are self-employed, you cannot get SSP. You may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance if you have made enough National Insurance contributions.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you cannot work because of an illness or disability, you may be able to claim ESA. You must be under State Pension age and not receiving SSP. If you have paid enough National Insurance contributions, you can claim ‘New Style ESA’. It is contribution-based and is not affected by your partner’s income and savings.
The amount you receive depends on your circumstances.
After you apply, you should be contacted within 10 working days to tell you if you’re eligible and if you need an appointment with a work coach to gather more information.
The assessment process for ESA
Most people will need to fill in a questionnaire about their health and abilities. Most people will also have a Work Capability Assessment.
Work Capability Assessments (WCA)
Work Capability Assessments can be done in person, on the phone or by video call. You’ll be told how your assessment will take place. If you have a severe disability or receive certain medical treatments, you may not need to have a WCA.
In the assessment, a health professional will look at how your illness or disability affects the work you can do. Visit Citizens Advice for tips on preparing for an assessment.
If it’s agreed that your illness or disability limits your ability to work, then you’ll be eligible to receive ESA and you will be put into one of two groups:
- Work-related activity group: You will be placed in this group if you’re assessed as being able to return to work in the future. You will be expected to take part in work-related activities and go to regular interviews with an adviser to prepare you for work.
- Support group: If your illness or disability has a severe effect on your ability to work, you will be put into this group and not be expected to look for work or go to interviews.
How do I claim ESA?
- If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can apply online via the government website or phone the Jobcentre Plus helpline on 0800 055 6688, or 18001 then 0800 055 6688 if you cannot hear or speak on the telephone.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, you can apply online via NI Direct or call the ESA Centre on 0800 587 1377.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or disability.
It replaces a benefit called Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you were born on or before 8 April 1948 and are already receiving DLA, you will carry on receiving DLA. See our Financial help for carers webpage for information about DLA for children. All other existing claimants have moved to PIP.
Who can get PIP?
To qualify for PIP, you must be aged between 16 and State Pension age. If you’re over State Pension age, you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead. Or if you have received PIP before, you can still make a new claim if you were eligible for it in the year before you reached State Pension age. You can check your State Pension age.
You must also have a long-term illness or disability that makes it hard to get around or do everyday tasks, such as preparing food or managing your medication. You must expect these problems to go on for at least 12 months to be eligible for PIP. You can apply when you start experiencing these problems. However, there is a three-month ‘qualifying period’ before you will be entitled to PIP.
You can claim PIP whether you’re in work or not. You can also claim it if you have savings. You do not have to pay tax on it, and you can receive it at the same time as other benefits such as ESA or Universal Credit.
PIP rates: how much you could get
PIP is made up of two parts, one for daily living and one for mobility.
- The daily living component is paid at two different weekly rates:
- Higher rate £114.60.
- Lower rate £76.70.
- The mobility part is also paid at two different weekly rates:
- Higher rate £80.00.
- Lower rate £30.30.
The rate you receive depends on how your disability affects your daily life and your ability to get about. Once you have submitted your initial claim, you may be asked to have an assessment with a health professional.
How do I claim PIP?
- If you live in England or Wales, call the PIP claim line on 0800 917 2222, textphone 0800 917 7777.
- Or you can write to: Personal Independence Payment New Claims, Freepost DWP PIP 1. It will take longer to get a decision in the post.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, call the PIP Centre on 0800 012 1573.
Adult Disability Payment in Scotland
If you live in Scotland, you’ll need to apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP. If you currently get PIP, you should be moved automatically to ADP. Apply via the Scottish government website or call 0800 182 2222.
We also have information on grants for home adaptations.
Attendance Allowance (AA)
If you have reached State Pension age and need help with your personal care because you have a disability, you may be able to claim AA. In most cases, you must have needed help for at least six months before you can receive AA. If a doctor has said you have less than 12 months to live, you can get AA more quickly.
How much is Attendance Allowance per week?
AA is paid at two different weekly rates and the rate you receive will depend on the level of care you need:
- Higher rate £114.60.
- Lower rate £76.70.
Once you’ve submitted your initial claim, you may be asked to attend a medical assessment. This is to work out how much support you should get.
AA is not affected by any savings or income you have. You do not have to pay tax on AA. Claiming it can even increase other benefits you receive, such as Housing Benefit and Pension Credit.
How do I claim Attendance Allowance?
- If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, visit the government's AA webpage to print a claim form, or call the AA Helpline on 0800 731 0122, or 18001 then 0800 731 0122 if you cannot hear or speak on the phone.
- If you live in Northern Ireland, call the Disability and Carers’ Service on 0800 587 0912, textphone 0800 012 1574.