Evidence from family, carers and support workers
Statements from people who provide or witness care can be some of the most powerful evidence in a disability benefit claim. This page explains how to gather and use this type of evidence.
We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.
Evidence from people who know you
People who see a person’s difficulties day to day — family members, carers, friends or support workers — can provide useful statements. They can describe what help they give, how often, and what they have seen.
What a helpful statement covers
A good statement is specific: what the person struggles with, concrete examples, how much and how often help is needed, and what would happen without that help. It helps to focus on the effects on everyday activities.
Who can write one
Anyone who genuinely knows the situation can write a statement — a relative, a friend, a paid carer, a support worker or a key worker. It is usually dated and signed, and says who the person is in relation to the claimant.
Next steps
- Read how to describe your difficulties.
- See the evidence checklist.
- Return to the Evidence overview.
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Last reviewed: June 2026. We review this website regularly. Benefit rules and amounts can change — for current forms, deadlines and rates, always check GOV.UK. See how we keep this up to date.