I am helping someone else with a benefit claim
If you are a family member, carer, support worker, or friend helping someone else understand or apply for a disability benefit, this page is for you.
We explain the system. We do not advise on individual cases.
Are you a carer?
If you regularly look after someone, you may be able to get support in your own right, such as Carer’s Allowance. See our Help for carers section.
You can help without being a specialist
You do not need to be a benefits expert to support someone with a claim. This website explains the system in plain English so that anyone can understand the process, the criteria, and what to expect.
Helping with a PIP claim
If you are helping an adult aged 16 to State Pension age, start with our PIP section. The most useful pages for supporters are the activities and descriptors page, the assessments page, and the evidence page, which explain what is assessed and how to document it.
Helping with a DLA claim for a child
If you are helping a parent claim DLA for a child, start with our DLA for children section. The care component, evidence, and how to claim pages will be most relevant.
Helping someone over State Pension age
If you are helping an older person, start with our Attendance Allowance section. The day and night needs, evidence, and how to claim pages are a good starting point.
Acting on someone else’s behalf
If the person you are helping cannot manage their own affairs, it may be possible to deal with the DWP on their behalf formally. The DWP can arrange for a representative to act for a claimant in some circumstances. Check GOV.UK for current guidance on appointees and authorised representatives.
Providing evidence
As a carer, support worker, or family member, your written account of the help you provide or have witnessed can be powerful supporting evidence for a claim. See our evidence from family, carers and support workers page for guidance on how to write a useful statement.
Official source
For GOV.UK guidance on each benefit: GOV.UK — PIP | GOV.UK — DLA for children | GOV.UK — Attendance Allowance
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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.