Disabled Person's Tax Credit

Wha is it?

• For people who have an illness or disability that puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job
• Savings over £16,000 mean you cannot get Disabled Person's Tax Credit

Can I get it?

Are you:

• Aged 16 or over?
• Working on average 16 hours a week or more?
• Restricted in the type of work, number of hours or amount you can earn because of illness or disability?

Then check the questions below.

1. Have you

Been getting one of the following because of your illness or disability, in the last 26 weeks?

• Short-term Incapacity Benefit paid at a higher rate
• Long-term Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Disability premium or higher pensioner premium on:
  • Income Support,
  • Minimum Income Guarantee,
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance,
  • Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

If YES apply for Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

2. Or are you:

Getting one of the following because of your illness or disability?

• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit paid with Constant Attendance Allowance
• An invalid three-wheeler supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions

If YES apply for Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

Important changes from April 2003

From April 2003, Working Families' Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit are replaced by two new tax credits, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. These new tax credits are administered by HM Revenue & Customs.

How do I claim?

To apply for Disabled Person's Tax Credit, get an application pack from Inland Revenue enquiry centres, your Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office

I am already getting it. What happens if:

I go into hospital or someone I claim for goes into hospital?
If you go into hospital you can continue to get Disabled Person's Tax Credit for the rest of the 26-week period it is awarded for. If you are still in hospital when the 26-week period finishes and you want to re-apply, this may affect your claim.

I go to live abroad or visit?
If you go abroad you can continue to get Disabled Person's Tax Credit for the rest of the period it is awarded for. If you are still abroad when the period finishes and you want to re-apply, this may affect your claim.

You cannot make a new claim for Disabled Person's Tax Credit if you are abroad unless you are a Crown Servant posted abroad.

I start voluntary work?
Voluntary work does not count towards the 16 hours you need to work to get Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

More information