DWP Disability Premiums Worth £909 a Month

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Some disabled people across the UK could receive a significant boost to their monthly income, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offering up to £909 in additional support automatically applied in many cases.

These payments, known as disability premiums, are intended to help with the extra costs faced by people living with disabilities. The premiums are typically added on top of existing benefits such as Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

There is no separate application process, as qualifying individuals usually receive the additional funds automatically if they meet the relevant criteria. The amount awarded depends on the severity of the disability and the combination of benefits claimed.

There are currently three types of disability premiums. The standard disability premium provides £43.20 a week for a single person or £61.65 a week for a couple. The severe disability premium is worth £89.20 a week for a single person and up to £165.80 for a couple, depending on eligibility. If a couple does not meet the full eligibility conditions, they may still receive a reduced rate of £81.50 a week. Additionally, the enhanced disability premium offers £21.20 a week for single claimants and £30.25 for couples, provided one person qualifies.

If someone qualifies for both the disability and severe disability premiums at full rates, a couple could receive as much as £227.45 per week, which equates to just over £909 per month.

Eligibility for these payments depends on a claimant’s existing benefits and personal circumstances. To qualify, the claimant or their partner must be under pension credit age and either registered blind or receiving specific disability-related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Attendance Allowance.

Those receiving income-related ESA can only access the severe or enhanced disability premiums, not the standard disability premium. These disability premiums are available only to people on legacy benefits and are not included in Universal Credit. Individuals moved to Universal Credit through managed migration may lose access to these payments unless transitional protections apply.

The DWP advises all claimants to check what additional support they might be entitled to.