• Crohn’s and Colitis aren’t always classed as a disability. This can change depending on how the condition affects your daily life. The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do daily activities’.
• There are schemes and grants available for people living with a disability.
• A benefits calculator is a useful way to work out what benefits you could get.
• If you are employed, you can get help to support you working. Your employer must make reasonable adjustments so you aren’t disadvantaged by your condition.
• You might be able to get help with water bills through the WaterSure scheme. There is also some help for heating and energy bills.
• You can still apply for welfare benefits if you are working. This includes Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit. You can apply for Attendance Allowance if you are of State Pension age.

You can claim benefits and possibly get extra money if:

• You have a low income or you have no income
• You struggle with your daily tasks
• You can’t work due to disability or your disability limits what you can do

You can use a benefits calculator to help you find out what you can claim.

There are several benefits you may be able to claim for. Each type of benefit will have its own eligibility criteria.

These benefits include:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Adult Disability Payment (ADP) (Scotland only)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA)
• Carers Allowance (plus a Carers Allowance Supplement in Scotland)
• Carers Support Payment (replacing Carers Allowance in Scotland from 2023 onwards)
• Young Carer Grant for carers in Scotland aged under 19

If your child has Crohn’s or Colitis, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children or the Child Disability Payment (CDP). CDP is only available if you live in Scotland.

Download this table (PDF) for the benefits available in your home nation.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) /Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for adults with a disability or long-term health condition. You may be eligible for PIP if your Crohn's or Colitis makes it hard for you to get around or cope with daily living. See the GOV.UK website for more information.

For more information about PIP, see the Citizens Advice website or the Money Helper website.

If you live in Northern Ireland, see the NI Direct website.

If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. You cannot get PIP and ADP at the same time. See the mygov.scot website for more information.

If you get PIP or ADP before you are 66, you won’t have to switch to Attendance Allowance.

Attendance Allowance (AA)

You can apply for Attendance Allowance if:

• You’ve reached State Pension age, and
• You are not already receiving PIP or ADP

This benefit helps with costs if you need extra support with daily activities. But it does not support mobility needs. You can apply for Attendance Allowance even if you don’t currently have a carer for your needs.

Our Helpline does not have any specific information on Attendance Allowance, but you may find these resources helpful:

• GOV.UK website
• Citizens Advice
• Age UK

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit is a once-a-month payment to help with your living costs. It can help if you are:

• On a low income
• Out of work
• Not able to work because of a health condition
• Can’t work as much because of a health condition

Universal Credit is replacing other benefits for people of a working age. This includes income support, housing benefit, tax credits and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Our Helpline does not have specific information on Universal Credit, but you may find these resources helpful:

• GOV.UK website (England, Scotland or Wales)
• NI Direct website (Northern Ireland)
• Money Helper

New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA)

You may be able to get the New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA) if you are unable to work because of a health condition, disability or sickness. New Style ESA can also provide support to get back into work, including part-time work, if you’re able to.

You might be able to get New Style ESA on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit.

Our Helpline does not have specific information on New Style ESA but you may find these resources helpful:

• If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, see the GOV.UK website.
• If you live in Northern Ireland, visit the NI Direct website.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children / Child Disability Payment (CDP)

DLA can help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:

• Is under 16 years old, and
• Needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability

DLA is for people living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. See the GOV.UK website for more details.

If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Child Disability Payment (CDP) instead. You may also qualify for a Child Winter Heating Payment. See the mygov.scot website for more information about CDP and Child Winter Heating Payment.

Claiming benefits for carers

You may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if you give regular unpaid care to a disabled person in their own home. The person you care for must be receiving disability-related benefits. You don’t have to be related to the person you care for.

For more details, see the GOV.UK website. You can also find more information through Carers UK, a charity that supports carers.

In Scotland, Carer’s Allowance is being replaced by the Carer Support Payment. If you’re 66 or over, you can still claim Carer’s Allowance. But it won’t be paid if it is lower than the State Pension that is due to you.

If you are a carer living in Scotland, you may be eligible for other payments. These include:

• Carer’s Allowance Supplement
• Young Carer Grant for carers aged under 19

You can read more about these on the gov.scot website.

You don’t have to tell your employer about your health problems. If you do, it can help you feel supported at work.

Your employer must make reasonable adjustments to adapt work for your disability.

These adjustments might include:

• Accessible toilet facilities
• Flexibility in work schedule
• Remote or hybrid working
• Adjusting sick leave trigger points
• Unlimited toilet breaks

The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination at work.The Act protects you from discrimination at work if you have a disability. This includes if you are:

• A trainee
• Self-employed
• Working on a zero-hours contract

If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.

Crohn’s and Colitis aren’t always classed as a disability. This can change depending on how the condition affects your daily life.

You can get free advice on your rights at work through Acas. This includes issues like unfair dismissal, redundancy or discrimination at work.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

You can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are too ill to work. Your employer will pay SSP for up to 28 weeks. You’ll need to meet certain criteria to receive SSP. This includes being an employee and earning a certain amount of money each week. Check your employment contract to see agreements on your contractual pay and SSP.

See the GOV.UK website for more information about SSP.

Early retirement - Ill Health Retirement

You can claim your work or occupational pension early by taking Ill Health Retirement. You can do this if your illness has forced you to leave employment earlier than expected. Contact your pension provider for more information.

You cannot claim the State Pension earlier than the State Pension age.

Find out more information about Ill Health Retirement at MoneyHelper or the GOV.UK website.

Help for students

If you are a student with Crohn’s or Colitis, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This is in addition to any student finance you receive. It’s not based on your household income.

DSA helps with study-related costs, for example if you need specialist equipment like a computer. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to apply through your country’s specific website:

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Awards Agency Scotland
• Student Finance Northern Ireland

The following websites have more information about financial help for students with a disability:

• GOV.UK website
• Disability Rights UK
• NHS Disabled Students’ Allowance. This is a separate scheme to the DSA and applies if you receive an NHS bursary for your course.

Download this table (PDF) for the schemes available in your nation.

Water bills and WaterSure

WaterSure is a scheme that helps some people in England with their water bills. It works by capping your water bills. This means your bill will not be more than the average water bill in your area.

To qualify for the WaterSure scheme you must:

• Have a high essential use of water (including for medical conditions)
• Be on a water meter
• Be on certain benefits

If you get your water from Welsh Water, WaterSure Wales will cover you. This works in the same way as the English scheme.

For more information on the WaterSure scheme, see the Citizen’s Advice website.

The Water Charges Reduction Scheme (WCRS) is for people living in Scotland. To find out about this scheme, see the mygov.scot website and Turn2us.

Turn2us have information about help with water bills if you live in Northern Ireland.

Heating bills

Cold Weather Payments

You can apply for Cold Weather Payments if you:

• Are claiming certain benefits
• Are struggling to meet your home’s heating costs during winter

Cold Weather Payments are only made when the weather is extremely cold for a long time. They will next start from 1 November 2023. See if you are eligible on the GOV.UK website.

If you live in Scotland, you can’t get Cold Weather Payments. You can check if you’re eligible for the annual Winter Heating Payment.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you find it difficult to pay your electricity bill during winter, you could get £150 off your bill. This is under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

If you’re eligible for the scheme, it’ll be a one-off discount on your electricity bill. This will be between September and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead. This is if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your energy supplier to find out.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales. The Affordable Warmth Scheme is available in Northern Ireland.

To find out more, see the GOV.UK website or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Winter Fuel Payments

Winter Fuel Payments help you pay for your heating bills. You have to be born before a certain date to be eligible. This date will change on the GOV.UK website. For example, in October 2023, you must be born before 25 September 1957 to be eligible.

You'll get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you’re eligible and get the State Pension.

You’ll usually receive a letter between October and November about how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get. You can also make a claim if you think you’re eligible but haven’t received a letter.

For more information, see the GOV.UK website.

Nest scheme in Wales

If you live in Wales, you might be eligible for the Nest scheme.

The scheme is part of the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes programme. They offer a range of free, impartial advice. If you’re eligible you can receive a package of free home energy efficiency improvements. This might include a new boiler, central heating or insulation.

For details and how to apply, see the Welsh Government’s Nest website.

Energy bills

Some energy companies offer an energy fund scheme. These schemes are there to help you cover any gas and electricity bill debts. The criteria you’ll need to meet for each scheme is different. Energy companies will assess applications on a case by case basis.

See each energy fund website for more information and how to apply:

Open to anyone

• British Gas Energy Trust

Open to their customers only

• EDF Customer Support Fund
• ON Energy Fund
• ScottishPower Hardship Fund
• Ovo Energy’s Customer Support Package

You can also contact Ofgem if your supplier isn’t listed above.

Housing benefit

You might be eligible for housing benefit if you:

• Cannot claim Universal Credit (e.g. because you are aged 66 or over), and
• Are on a low income from either work or benefits

You can use the housing benefit to help pay rent. You can apply for housing benefit if you’re unemployed or working. See the GOV.UK website for more information.

If you live in Scotland, visit mygov.scot for more information.

If you live in Northern Ireland, visit NI Direct website for more information.

Council tax reduction or rates reduction

You could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax bill if you’re on a low income or you claim benefits. You can apply if you own your home or rent, are unemployed or working. See the GOV.UK website for more information. You may also get a discount on your council tax if you are the only adult in your home in England. See the Citizens Advice website for more information about discounts on your council tax.

If you live in Scotland, you may be able to apply for council tax reductions or exemptions. This depends on which local council you live in. See the mygov.scot website for more information.

There is a different scheme if you live in Northern Ireland. You can find a guide to rates on the NI Direct website.

Home improvement grants

Your local Home Improvement Agency (HIA) can help you to repair, maintain or adapt your home. HIAs can even help with smaller tasks such as putting together flat-pack furniture or looking after your garden.

Search for your nearest HIA:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

VAT Relief

Even if you are disabled, you’ll still have to pay VAT on most things you buy. You might be able to claim VAT relief on products designed to help you live independently. For some, this may include incontinence products. You can find more information about this on the GOV.UK website.

Many charitable organisations offer grants for people on a low income. There are also grants which help people with specific health conditions.

Turn2us grant search

You can find grants available to you with the Turn2us grant search tool. The tool helps you find grants based on your:

• Postcode
• Age
• Current or previous job
• Health condition

Turn2us also gives a checklist of information you will need to make a grant application. See more on the Turn2us website.

Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert has information about grants for people on low incomes.

It can be difficult to pay for the health costs that come with having Crohn’s or Colitis. You might be eligible for help through the different NHS schemes below.

NHS Low Income Scheme

The NHS Low Income Scheme can help you pay for various costs including:

• NHS prescription charges
• NHS dental treatment charges
• Travelling costs to receive NHS treatment

Any help you’re entitled to is also available to your partner if you have one. You can apply as long as you don’t have savings or investments over a certain limit. You can find more information on the NHS website.

Free prescriptions and Prescription Prepayment Certificate

In England, most working-age adults have to pay NHS prescription charges. You might be able to get free NHS prescriptions if:

• You’re below 16 years old or are 60 years old and above
• You’re receiving particular benefits and/or tax credits
• You’re on a low income
• You have a physical disability where you cannot go out without the help of someone else
• You have certain medical conditions, including a permanent stoma

If you aren’t eligible for free NHS prescriptions, you can apply for a prepayment certificate (PPC). A PPC is useful if you have regular repeat prescriptions. For example, if you need two prescribed medicines each month, you could save over £100 a year with a 12 month PPC.

A PPC can be valid for 3 months or 12 months. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just treatment for your condition.

For more on getting free NHS prescriptions in England, see the NHS website.

You can apply for a PPC here.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free.

Free NHS dental treatment

Some people don’t have to pay for NHS dental treatments.

Check with your dentist whether your treatment is private or NHS. You’ll still have to pay for private treatment if you have a mixture of NHS and private treatment.

The criteria for free NHS dental treatment will depend on where you live. See the following websites for more information on eligibility:

• England: NHS website
• Scotland: gov.scot website
• Wales: gov.wales website
• Northern Ireland: NI direct website

Other health costs

The NHS provides help for other health costs. This includes paying for hospital travel, eye care, wigs and fabric supports.

For more information, see the NHS website.

Having Crohn’s or Colitis might make you worried about travelling. There are ways that you can make your life easier, and possibly cheaper too.

Help with hospital transport

You might be eligible for free transport to and from the hospital. This is from the non-emergency patient transport service (PTS).

You may be eligible if:

• You find it difficult to walk
• You need extra medical support during your journey

Speak to the healthcare professional that referred you to the hospital, such as your GP, for more information.

Claiming for hospital transport costs

You might be able to claim for the cost of transport through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). This includes if you:

• Are on a low income (including your partner)
• Have a referral to a specialist or hospital for NHS treatment or tests

You can find more information for the area you live in about help with transport costs:

• England -- NHS website
• Northern Ireland – NI Direct
• Wales – GOV.WALES
• Scotland – NHS Inform

Blue Badge scheme

The Blue Badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you have a health condition which affects your mobility. You may also be eligible if you receive the mobility component of PIP due to the overwhelming psychological distress of going on a journey.

As Crohn’s or Colitis may not affect your mobility, it can be difficult to apply for this scheme. You might find it helpful to use our letter of support for applications. It could still be worth applying as it might be possible to get a badge.

For more information on getting a Blue Badge, see the Citizen’s Advice website.

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can apply online on the GOV.UK website.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you can apply online at NI Direct.

Contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you have questions about applying or filling in the form.

Disabled Persons Railcard

You may be eligible to buy a Disabled Persons Railcard if you receive any of the following benefits:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP)
• Attendance Allowance (AA)

The Disabled Persons Railcard gives 1/3 off adult rail fares. This is only for travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain. For example, if a standard train ticket is £19.10, you’ll only pay £12.60 with the discount.

There are no time restrictions with the railcard. You can use it to get a discount on tickets at any time of day. If you’re travelling with another adult, they’ll also get 1/3 off their rail fare.

You can apply for a 1-year or 3-year railcard.

For prices and how to apply, see the Disabled Persons Railcard website.

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to find out about concession passes, visit the NI Direct website.

Living with Crohn’s or Colitis can make getting insurance a bit more complicated, but there are options available. Whether you need life insurance, income protection insurance or health insurance, it’s important to find the right plan that works for you.

It is important to tell your insurance company if you have ever been diagnosed with Crohn’s or Colitis. This is the case even if it is well controlled or you have not needed treatment for a long time. If you do not tell them, your insurance might be invalid, or you could have problems if you need to make a claim.

Most insurers will ask some questions about your health. It may help to have recent medical information ready, like details on any treatments or hospital stays.

Depending on the type of insurance you want, you might need to pay more for it than other people. But, having Crohn’s or Colitis does not always affect how much you pay for insurance. Instead of increasing your premium just because you have Crohn’s or Colitis, insurance companies often look at your individual risk of claiming on your policy. Some companies specialise in providing insurance for people with pre-existing health conditions.

It’s a good idea to get quotes from several different companies if you can. You could use a price comparison website or contact insurance companies directly.

Before you commit to a plan, check the details carefully to see exactly what it covers. If you’re unsure, consider talking to a financial advisor or an insurance broker. They can give you professional advice about the cover you need, and help you find insurance even if you have complicated needs.

You can search for insurance companies, financial advisers or brokers online. You could start by trying:

• The British Insurance Brokers’ Association
• The Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries
• The Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association

If you already have insurance, check the details or contact your insurer to find out if it covers your Crohn’s or Colitis. If it does, it might be worth keeping it going. You may not be able to get the same cover somewhere else. Or you might have to pay more for it.

If you’re in debt or are considering bankruptcy, don’t be afraid to get help. You can access free expert advice and support from:

• Step Change
• National Debtline

They’ll give you advice based on your specific financial situation. They can help get you started with any next steps or solutions.

Support from your local council

Contact your local council as there may be support you can access. Find your local council through GOV.UK.

Food banks

Food banks provide emergency food to people in a financial crisis.

To access a food bank you may need a voucher from a referral agency. These include your local Citizens Advice, a social worker, your GP or child’s school. Your local food bank can also tell you how to get a voucher. Find your local food bank through The Trussell Trust website or the Independent Food Aid Network.

We follow strict processes to make sure our information is based on up-to-date evidence and easy to understand.

Please email us at evidence@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk if:

• You have any comments or suggestions for improvements
• You would like more information about the sources of evidence we use
• You would like details of any conflicts of interest

You can also write to us at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE, or contact us through our Helpline: 0300 222 5700