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Adults Living with SMA, Financial and PA Support

Adults Living with SMA, Financial and PA Support

Last reviewed and updated: April 2025

England and Wales have the same benefits as outlined in the tabs below.

Due to ongoing changes with entitlement, for latest information please see:

Scotland

Most benefits are as in the tabs below.

Due to ongoing changes with entitlement, for latest information please see:

Northern Ireland

Most benefits are as in the tabs below, but there are some differences. See:

These organisations give a wide range of information about the schemes and grants  available.  You may also want to sign up with your energy provider’s priority services register >.

Other Useful organisations:

  • TaxAid > – a charity that helps people on low incomes when they get into difficulties with their tax affairs.
  • Step Change > – a charity offering free online debt advice and support.

How much health and social care help you receive depends on an assessment of your needs. It may also depend on the services available in your area. In some circumstances, it is possible to have a joint Health and Social Care package.

People who have long term ill-health or disability costs, and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, can apply for a Personal Independence Payment or PIP.

Read more >

You may be entitled to other benefits.  This may be to help with your income while you are seeking employment or if you have any childcare and housing costs. Working out what you and your partner or unpaid carer is entitled to is very complicated. It is well worth seeking specialist advice. You may want to start by looking at one of these links:

This is the main benefit for carers. It may be an allowance your partner or unpaid carer can apply for.

In Scotland the equivalent benefit is Carers Support Payment >

Only one of your unpaid carers can get this. To qualify they would have to provide you with at least 35 hours of care per week. You would also have to be getting either:

Your carer also has to earn under a certain amount. And this benefit might affect other benefits your carer may be claiming.

For more information:

Gov.uk: Carer’s Allowance > explains how it works for England and Wales.

Disability Rights UK: Carer’s Allowance > 

Carers UK: Carer’s Allowance >  

MDUK: Carer’s Allowance >

You may find other useful information in our Children’s section – Support for Carers >.

This is a UK-wide possibility. It provides additional national insurance contributions for a carer unable to work full-time because of caring responsibilities. It will help build their entitlement to the basic state pension.

If a carer is under state pension age, but over 16, and caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week, they could be entitled to carer’s credit. Income and savings are not taken into account.

Anyone already getting Carer’s Allowance, does not need to apply for Carer’s Credit – they get it automatically. Otherwise, a carer can apply online via the link below  or by phone on 0845 608 4321.

See: Gov.UK/Carers Credit > for more information and to claim.

You may find other useful information in our Children’s section – Support for Carers >.

This allowance is for people over 65 who need help at home because of an illness or disability. They must not be receiving a  Personal Independence Payment.

The allowance does not cover mobility needs.

It is paid at 2 different rates. How much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.

The other benefits you get can increase if you get Attendance Allowance.

You do not have to have someone caring for you in order to claim.

If you do have a carer, and have substantial caring needs, they could get Carer’s Allowance – see Tab 6. above.

England, Scotland and Wales – people pay Council Tax:

You could get a reduction on your Council Tax bill if your home has been adapted or has features that are needed because someone who is disabled lives there. For example, this could be because you have an extra bathroom or kitchen, or extra space to use a wheelchair indoors. If your home is eligible, your Council Tax will be reduced to the band below, or by one-sixth if you are in the lowest band.

There is no set test to decide who is eligible. You will need to contact your local council > to find out more. They may ask you for a letter from your GP.

Council tax may be reduced for other reasons. See:

Northern Ireland – people pay rates.

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with paying your rates through the Rate Relief Scheme. For Universal Credit claimants, help is through a rate rebate. See:

A number of charities provide grants. Who can apply and what they will fund varies a lot. It may change depending on their level of funding.

SMA UK may be able to help. Find out about our Grants for the Community >

Tab 10. Funding for Equipment > outlines what information you will need to apply for a grant from a charity.

There may be other grant possibilities. Please contact SMA UK’s Support Team> to see if we can help you to find charities that may assist you.