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.

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 fact sheet lists all the food provisions available in Barnsley.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Direct Payments

Direct payments help you, or someone you care for, cover the cost of care needs, so you can gain more choice and control over how and when you receive your support. The payments intend to give you more freedom whilst empowering you to be independent, by helping you tailor the care to your individual needs.

Find out more at gov.uk/apply-direct-paymentsnhs.uk/.

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.

Disabled Person's Railcard

A Disabled Persons Railcard is for adults with a disability or long-term health condition. It costs £20 and gives you and a travelling companion a third off all adult rail fares, plus additional discounts at selected restaurants and hotels.

Find out more at disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.

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.

Driving Instruction

People with disabilities can learn to drive through a local driving school, but it may be helpful to find an instructor who has experience teaching individuals with disabilities to drive and who may have an adapted car, if needed.

Find out more at qef.org.uk/service/mobility/driving-assessment/.

Equipment and Adaptations

If you are finding everyday tasks in your home difficult, you could be eligible for support from adult social care to improve your home and ensure you are able to live independently.

Find out more at barnsley.gov.uk/services/adult-social-care/getting-adult-social-care-help-early/.

Exemption of Dental Charges

This is where you could receive free dental treatment by applying for an NHS Low Income Scheme or applying for a refund after the dental care.

Find out more at nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/.

Help With Care Needs

If you need support to live independently, you may be entitled to help through adult social care. If you don’t qualify for adult social care, many community and voluntary groups in Barnsley can support you in different ways. Some people may be eligible to have their care needs fully funded through NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Find out more at nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/.

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.

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.

Power Of Attorney

Power of Attorney is a legal procedure that formally authorises someone (the attorney) to deal with financial affairs on behalf of a person (the donor) who is not able to deal with their own affairs.

Find out more at power-of-attorney/make-lasting-powergov.uk/.

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.

Registering As Blind

If you have a visual impairment, you can register with your local council as blind or partially sighted. Doing this is worthwhile as it will give you access to concessions, vital support and welfare benefits.

Find out more at rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/navigating-sight-loss/registering-as-sight-impaired/the-criteria-for-certification/.

Resources A-Z

This document compiles useful contact information from all DIAL Fact Sheets, plus some additional resources. All details are correct as of October 2025.

TV Licence Concessions

Depending on your age or health condition, you may be eligible for a discounted or free TV licence.

VAT Relief

Value added tax (VAT) applies to most goods and services. However, if you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, you do not have to pay VAT on products or services that have been adapted to support you with your condition.

Find out more at gov.uk/government/publications/customer-declaration-for-zero-rated-vat-supply-of-an-adapted-motor-vehicle-vat1615a

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.

Wheelchair Services

Sheffield Wheelchair Services offers access to a wheelchair and accessories for people who live in Barnsley, as well as Sheffield.

Find out more at sth.nhs.uk/a-z-all-services/wheelchair-services/.

All information is correct as of October 2025. 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!”