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Benefits rates and payments

Find out how much the current rates are for benefits commonly claimed by blind and partially sighted people and how they are paid. You can also use our benefit calculator to work out which benefits you are entitled to.

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Benefit rates

Most welfare benefits go up in April each year. Below you can view the weekly rates as of April 2024 for the most common benefits that you can claim if you are blind or partially sighted or caring for someone with sight loss.

Attendance Allowance

  • Lower rate £ 72.65
  • Higher rate £ 108.55

Disability Living Allowance/Child Disability Payment (Scotland)

Care Component

  • Lowest rate £28.70
  • Middle rate £72.65
  • Highest rate £108.55

Mobility Component

  • Lower rate £28.70
  • Higher rate £75.75

Personal Independence Payment/Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)

Daily Living Component

  • Standard rate £72.65
  • Enhanced rate £108.55

Mobility Component

  • Standard rate £28.70
  • Enhanced rate £75.75

Universal Credit

Standard allowance

  • Single person under 25 £311.68
  • Single person over 25 £393.45
  • Couple, under 25 £489.23
  • Couple, over 25 £617.60

Elements

  • Child element first born (born prior to 6 April 2017) £333.33
  • Child element (born on or after 6 April 2017)/ second child and subsequent child £287.92
  • Disabled child element lower rate £156.11
  • Disabled child element higher rate £487.58
  • Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity £416.19
  • Limited Capability for Work (not new claims after April 2017) £156.11
  • Carer element £198.31

Contributory/New-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Personal Allowance

  • Under 25 assessment phase £71.70
  • 25 or over and main phase £90.50

Components

  • Work-related £35.95
  • Support group £47.70

Contributory/New-style Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

  • Under 25 £67.20
  • 25 or over £84.80

Income based Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) and Income Support

Personal allowance

  • Single person under 25 £71.70
  • Single person 25 or over, or lone parent 18 or over, £90.50
  • Couple, both 18 or over, £142.25

Contributory/New-style Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

  • Under 25 £67.20
  • 25 or over £84.80
  • Single person under 25 (assessment phase), £71.70
  • Single person, or lone parent 18 or over, £90.50
  • Couple, both 18 or over, £142.25

Components

  • Work-related £35.95
  • Support group £47.70

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee:

  • Single £218.15
  • Couple £332.95

Carer's Allowance/Carers Support Payment (Scotland)

  • £81.90

Premium details (means tested benefits only)

Disability premium (Income based JSA and Income Support only)

  • Single £42.50
  • Couple £60.60

Enhanced disability premium (not available on pension credit)

  • Single £20.85
  • Couple £29.75

Severe disability premium

  • Single £81.50
  • Couple £163.00

Carer premium

  • £45.60

Pensioner premium (not available to pension credit)

  • Single £127.65
  • Couple £190.70

Pensioner premium (not available to pension credit)

  • Single £127.65
  • Couple £190.70

Benefit payments

When you make a claim for a benefit, you will have to state on the claim form how you would like to be paid. Wherever possible you will be asked to provide bank account details for payment. The alternative options to this are very limited now, due to the government ending the system of Post Office account payments in November 2022.

Payment Exception Service

The Payment Exception Service is a way for people who do not have a bank account to collect benefits or pension payments. However, this service is only available in very limited circumstances. If you are paid this way, you'll be sent either a payment card, an email with a voucher code, or a text message with a voucher code. You can collect your payment from any PayPoint outlet or Post Office. You will also have to produce ID when collecting your money. For more information on the Payment Exception service call 0800 015 2902.

Calculate your benefits

The benefits you’re entitled to depend on your own personal circumstances. We have an easy-to-use calculator that asks you some questions about your situation and then tells you exactly how much you may be missing out on.