Advice and information
Living with mental illness
Money, benefits and mental health

Money, benefits and mental health

Money and mental health are linked. Living with a mental health condition can make managing money more difficult. And money issues can affect mental health. Find out here what help is available to you.

Money, benefits and mental health

Worrying about money can affect your mental health and living with a mental health condition can make managing money more difficult. This can lead to you being in a 'vicious cycle.'

This money and mental health page signposts you to our dedicated Mental Health & Money Advice website. It aims to help you understand, manage and improve your mental health and money issues.

Worried about the cost of living?

Our Mental Health & Money Advice Service is here to help.

Visit now ⧉

Welfare benefits and mental health

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independent Payment (PIP) is a benefit you can claim if you need help with daily activities or getting around because of a long-term illness or disability. Read our dedicated PIP mental health guide, which will help you apply, fill in the PIP form and challenge a decision if needed.

Find out more Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Universal Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is a benefit for people of working age who are on a low income or not well enough to work. Read our guide on applying for Universal Credit with a mental health condition.

Find out more Universal Credit

Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

If you're too unwell to work, you may be able to claim ESA.

Find out more Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Benefits for mental health carers

Being a carer for someone living with a mental health condition might mean you can claim certain benefits to help you and the person you care for.

Find out more Benefits for mental health carers

Work Capability Assessment (WCA)

Find out what the Work Capability Assessment is if you apply for ESA or Universal Credit with a limited capability for work.

Find out more Work Capability Assessment (WCA)

Moving from DLA to PIP

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16 to 64. Find out how moving from DLA to PIP will affect you.

Find out more Moving from DLA to PIP

Mandatory reconsideration

If you disagree with a decision the DWP makes about your benefits, you can ask them to look at it again. This is called a mandatory reconsideration.

Find out more Mandatory reconsideration

Appealing a benefit decision

If you disagree with the mandatory reconsideration decision, we explain how to appeal to a tribunal.

Find out more Appealing a benefit decision

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a benefit you can claim if you are over the state pension age, and your mental health or physical condition means you need help looking after yourself. Attendance Allowance can be used to pay for any extra help and support you might need.

Find out more Attendance Allowance

Financial help during a crisis

The Mental Health Access to Breathing Space Scheme will help take the pressure off people with debt issues while they are receiving crisis treatment and up to 30 days after.

Find out more

Managing money with a mental Illness

Mental health and money toolkit

The Mental Health and Money Toolkit is a resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health. Download your free copy today.

Find out more Mental health and money toolkit

Managing money with a mental health condition

Managing your money can be difficult. Find out how to better manage your money with a mental health condition.

Find out more Managing money with a mental health condition

Options for dealing with debt

Debt can cause a lot of stress and impact your mental health, but there are always options for dealing with it. Find out how.

Find out more Options for dealing with debt

Can someone else manage my money for me?

An elected person can manage your money if you want them to because of your mental health. We explain how and what to consider before making any arrangements.

Find out more Can someone else manage my money for me?

Cancelling contracts

Understand the rules around borrowing money and what options you have if you're too unwell to pay the money back.

Find out more Cancelling contracts

Wills and trust funds

You might care for someone who lives with a mental health illness. We explain how you can plan and manage any money or assets you may want to leave them by writing a will and setting up a trust.

Find out more Wills and trust funds

Managing your money if you go into hospital

We explain how to plan and manage your money if you have to go into hospital because of your mental health.

Find out more Managing your money if you go into hospital

Insurance and mental health guide:

This insurance and mental health guide offers help for people living with a pre-existing mental health condition and looking for insurance.

Find out more Insurance and mental health guide:

Mental health and money tools

Savings calculator

The saving calculator determines how long and how much you need to save to pay back debts or save for the things you want to buy in the future.

Find out more Savings calculator

Budget planner

The budget planner is free and can help you better manage and control your money. So give it a try today and plan your money better.

Find out more Budget planner

Universal credit money manager:

The Universal Credit money manager is brought to you by MoneyHelper. It's a free money management tool for people on Universal Credit. Fill out your details, and it will help you make the most of your money when you most need to.

Find out more Universal credit money manager: