Helping someone with their claim

You can help in different ways

You can help someone with their benefit claim by talking things through, helping them describe their difficulties, gathering evidence, or filling in the form with them. With their permission, you can also speak to the DWP on their behalf.

Describing difficulties together

Benefit decisions are based on how a condition affects everyday activities. As someone who sees this day to day, a carer is often well placed to help describe the real picture — including bad days. See how to describe your difficulties.

Acting formally on someone’s behalf

If the person cannot manage their own claim, there are formal roles such as an appointee, who can act for them with the DWP. This is arranged through the DWP. For decisions about money or property more generally, a power of attorney may be relevant — that is a legal arrangement, separate from benefits.

What this website cannot do

This website explains the system in general. It cannot complete a form, advise on an individual claim, or tell you what to write. For the official process, use GOV.UK.

Next steps

• See the Evidence section and the evidence checklist.
• Read about PIP, DLA for children and Attendance Allowance.