Whether it is PIP, ESA or Universal Credit, it is now much harder to find advice and help with your benefits than it used to be. You should expect that you will have to do most of the work yourself, or with help from your friends or carers (don’t worry, this website will show you what to do, and how to do it). But if you can get a bit of advice to help you work out what rate you should be getting, it will be really helpful. We explain where to start.
 

If someone has asked you to go with them to the hearing to give them support, there are several things that you could do that would be very useful.
 

Understand what entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children is based upon, how the different rates work, and what you will need to show in your application to get the right amount of benefit.

This information applies in England, Wales, and will be helpful for claimants in Northern Ireland and Scotland as the rules are the same. 

If you (or someone who is helping you) are OK with writing, you should think about writing a statement for the tribunal. These can be very useful as they set out all your points, which means that you don't have to remember everything to say on the day. 

They also give the appeal panel time to think about what you have said and why you should be getting more before they meet you.

Everything you need to know about what will happen at the hearing, what to do on the day, and when you will get the decision.

The information in this guide applies to people who have applied for Personal Independence Payment in England, Wales and Scotland. It will also be helpful for claimants in Northern Ireland where the rules are the same but the relevant government departments are different.

Get guidance on what you should do - whether you got 0 points, were told you were well enough to work, or were put in the low capability for work (LCW) group when you think you should have been put in the loaw capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) group.
 

This information applies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

There are a lot of things for you to do over the next few months. So it is important to start preparing as soon as you can. Some things can take a long time.

The guidance below assumes you are preparing for a face-to-face hearing. Nowadays, lots of hearings take place by phone or by video call. Some people prefer this option. All of the advice, except about actually travelling to the hearing applies equally to hearings by video or phone.

This information applies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Understand how to agree a financial settlement if you are getting divorced or ending a civil partnership. We help you understand more about what a judge might order in a case like yours to give you a better chance of making a fair agreement with your ex without having to go to court. Includes information about clean break consent orders and maintenance, and how to work out what to do about the family home if you own or rent it. 

The information in this guide applies to England and Wales.