Benefits for people with epilepsy

ESA can help you if you have a disability or health condition that limits how much you can work. You can claim money if you’re unable to work. It can also support you to get back into work if you’re able to.

You can find out more on our ESA page.

PIP helps with some of the extra costs caused by a long-term health condition or disability. You may be able to claim PIP if you need help with everyday tasks. These include things like preparing food, managing your medicines, and moving around or travel.

You can find out more on our PIP and epilepsy page.

If you live in Scotland, you can claim Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead of PIP.

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, whether you’re working or not. You can claim Universal Credit at the same time as other benefits, like PIP and ESA.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you:

• Live in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland
• Are aged 18 or over. There are some situations where you can claim if you’re 16 to 17. These are explained on gov.uk
• Are under state pension age
• Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments

Find out more or apply

England, Scotland and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about Universal Credit. Citizen’s Advice help to claim scheme can help you with a claim. They can help you work out if you are eligible, help fill in the application and check your first payment is correct.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the Universal Credit NI scheme. Support is available from nidirect’s Universal Credit Service Centre and Advice NI.

A blue badge can be used to park near to places that you’re visiting. You can apply if you have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to get around.

The Blue Badge scheme is UK-wide but there are some differences in how the scheme is run in different areas.

Disability Rights UK has more information about the Blue Badge scheme and who can apply.

Find out more and apply

England, Scotland and Wales: Visit GOV.UK

Northern Ireland: You can apply and find out more on nidirect’s website

A Disabled Persons Railcard gets you a third off the cost of rail fares in England, Scotland and Wales.

You can get a Disabled Persons Railcard if you have epilepsy and:

• You still have seizures even though you take epilepsy medicine or
• You’re not allowed to drive because of your epilepsy

Find out more or apply

England, Scotland and Wales: The Disabled Person’s Railcard website has more information about how to apply.

Northern Ireland: The scheme does not run in Northern Ireland. nidirect has information on other travel passes travel passes you could apply for.

You may be able to get a bus or travel pass if you have a disability. This lets you travel for free or at a lower price.

There are different schemes in different parts of the UK. In England, Scotland and Wales, a bus pass allows you to use buses for free. A SmartPass gets you half-price fares in Northern Ireland.

In England, you can only use your bus pass between 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays. You can use it at any time on weekends. You should check this in the conditions from your local council.

You might be able to apply for a Freedom Pass if you live in London. You can find out more information on the London Councils website.

To apply for a SmartPass in Northern Ireland you must:

• Have been refused a full or provisional driving licence for medical reasons, or
• Had your licence taken away because of medical reasons, or
• Claim the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

We understand that this process can be complicated and take a long time. We launched a campaign in March 2024 to improve access to discounted public transport for people in Northern Ireland. You can find out more about our campaign in this article.

In England, some councils may ask you to apply for a driving licence before you can get a disabled person’s bus pass. This is incorrect and you don’t have to do this. We have information on our website about challenging this if it happens to you.

Find out more or apply

Each part of the UK has a different scheme and way of applying:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

Access to Work grants can help pay for practical support if your epilepsy affects you doing your job. It can help to pay work-related costs.

If you’re eligible it could help pay for things like:

• Extra costs of travel to work if you can’t use public transport
• Special equipment or adaptations to help you
• A support worker to help you at work
• Support to manage your mental health at work
• Communication support at work or for a job interview

Your workplace can include your home if you work there some or all the time.

Find out more or apply

England, Scotland and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about Access to Work.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the Access to Work (NI) scheme.

The aim of these grants is to make changes to your home, so it’s safer and meets your needs. This could be improving access into and around your home.

These grants are provided by your local authority or council.

They’re only available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Disability Rights UK has more information. They also have information about housing grants that you may be able to get in Scotland.

Find out more or apply

England and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about Disabled Facilities Grants.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the Disabled Facilities Grants.

This can help with the costs of being a student with a disability. It can pay for things like travel or specialist equipment. This could include things like a digital voice recorder or a computer.

Epilepsy Action has more information on our page about going to college or university.

You should be able to get free prescriptions in the UK if you have epilepsy and take epilepsy medicines.

Prescription medicines are free for everyone registered with a GP in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, you can get free prescriptions for epilepsy. This is because it’s a long-term medical condition. You will be able to get all medicines for free, not just your epilepsy medicines. You can apply for a medical exemption certificate. This will need to be renewed every 5 years. You can get an application form from your GP.

Find out more

Use the links below for more information about how prescriptions work in each area of the UK:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if:

• You have a disability and need support and help
• You have reached state pension age

Some other benefits payments can increase if you get Attendance Allowance.

Find out more or apply

England, Scotland and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about Attendance Allowance.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the Attendance Allowance (NI) scheme.

You might be able to claim carers allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.

The Carer Support Payment is replacing this benefit in Scotland.

Find out more or apply

England and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about Carer’s Allowance.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the Carer’s Allowance NI scheme.

Scotland: mygov.scot has more information about the Carer Support Payment

DLA for children can help with the extra costs of looking after a child who has a disability. You may be able to claim if your child is under the age of 16.

It has been replaced by the Child Disability Payment in Scotland.

Find out more or apply

England and Wales: The gov.uk website has more information about DLA for Children. Cerebra have a free guide which takes you through applying for DSA for children in detail.

Northern Ireland: nidirect has more information about the DLA for children.

Scotland: If your child lives in Scotland, you will need to apply for Child Disability Payment instead.