Fact Sheets

– Supporting you to know your rights

Our fact sheets are a helpful resource designed to give you the key facts on a variety of disability-related topics. They offer clear and practical information that can be helpful for disabled people, their families and carers. Each fact sheet provides up-to-date information on the topic, answers frequently asked questions, how to apply, how to get more support from DIAL and where to get more information. 

Access to Work

If you have a disability and would like support to stay in work or get into work, an Access to Work Grant could help you. You can use the grant to help pay for practical support, such as office equipment, travel costs and vehicle adaptations; as well as for job interview support and mental health support. 

Find out more at gov.uk/access-to-work.

An image of the first page of our Access to Work fact sheet.

Accessible Food Provision

If you’re finding it difficult to feed yourself or your family, you may qualify to receive a food parcel from a food bank or to attend a community pantry to purchase affordable food. This information sheet lists all the food provisions available in Barnsley. 

An image of the first page of our Accessible Food Provision fact sheet.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a health condition or disability. 

Find out more at gov.uk/attendance-allowance.

An image of the first page of our Attendance Allowance fact sheet.

Blue Badge

A Blue Badge is a parking concession for people with a disability that allows you to park closer to your destination. You can apply for and use a Blue Badge whether you are the driver or the passenger of a vehicle. Some people automatically apply, and others may be eligible if they meet certain criteria. 

Find out more at gov.uk/apply-blue-badge. 

An image of the first page of our Blue Badge fact sheet.

Carer's Allowance

Carer’s Allowance (CA) is a welfare benefit for anyone aged 16 or over who is providing regular care for someone with a disability. There are certain criteria that you must meet to receive this benefit, including how many hours of care you are giving per week, the benefits that the person that you care for receives, and how much you earn. 

Find out more at gov.uk/carers-allowance.

An image of the first page of our Carer's Allowance fact sheet.

Child Disability Living Allowance

Child Disability Living Allowance (Child DLA) is a welfare benefit for disabled children under the age of 16. There are two components, care, which relates to personal care that the child requires; and mobility, which relates to how their disability impacts their ability to move around safely. 

Find out more at gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children.

An image of the first page of our Child Disability Living Allowance fact sheet.

Cold Weather Payments

The Cold Weather Payment helps to cover higher heating costs when temperatures in your area drop below a certain level. You can qualify for these payments if you receive certain benefits. The Cold Weather Payment is different to The Winter Fuel Payment.

Find out more at gov.uk/cold-weather-payment. 

An image of the first page of our Cold Weather Payments fact sheet.

Disabled Facilities Grants

If you have a disability and need to make major changes to your home, a Disabled Facilities Grant could help you with this. The grant can be used for changes such as installing ramps, widening doors, installing stair lifts and installing grab rails, to name a few. The process is slightly different if you are a Bernslei Homes tenant. 

Find out more at gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants.

An image of the first page of our Disabled Facilities Grants fact sheet.

Disabled Person's Travel Pass

A Disabled Person’s Travel Pass enables you to travel on buses, trains, and trams for free across South Yorkshire. You can automatically qualify for the pass if you receive certain benefits, or you may be eligible if you meet other criteria. You can apply for a Disabled Person’s Travel Pass online or by post. 

Find out more at travelsouthyorkshire.com/disabled.

An image of the first page of our Disabled Persons Travel Pass fact sheet.

Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme provides a cost-effective option for people with disabilities to lease a car, scooter or wheelchair. You must receive a qualifying benefit to be able to apply for the scheme. If you are a Carer for a disabled person, you can also apply as long as the car, scooter or wheelchair will be used by or on behalf of the disabled person.

Find out more at motability.co.uk.

An image of the first page of our Motability fact sheet.

Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people in or out of work with long-term physical or mental health conditions. To apply, you must complete the PIP 2 form, which asks you questions about your health condition. 

Find out more at gov.uk/pip. 

An image of the first page of our Personal Independence Payment fact sheet.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is road tax, payable by all vehicles on the road. If you have a disability, you may be exempt from paying VED if you receive a qualifying benefit. To apply, you will need several documents relating to your car and confirming your benefit entitlement. 

Find out more at gov.uk/vehicle-exempt-from-vehicle-tax.

An image of the first page of our Vehicle Excise Duty fact sheet.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is a benefit that helps older people with their heating costs during the winter months. It’s a tax-free payment made once a year, which is paid automatically if you qualify. 

Find out more at gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment. 

An image of the first page of our Winter Fuel Payment fact sheet.

All information is correct as of September 2024. Do you have an idea for a fact sheet on a topic that we haven’t covered? Email it to Nicola at nicola.walker@dialbarnsley.org.uk. 

“Thank you very much for sending us your fact sheet on Personal Independence Payment. The form is so difficult to fill out without guidance, but your fact sheet helped us so much!”

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