About this guide
This is one of several guides that give detailed information about social security benefits. It is intended for disabled people who want to know more about benefits available to them, and for their professional advisers.
This guide does not cover the full range of help available for people who are disabled as a result of injuries or illness arising from work, or because of service in the Armed Forces. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office about industrial injuries benefits. For more information about the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (see ‘Useful addresses')
Alternatively you can telephone the Benefit Enquiry Line for disabled people and carers.
This guide and the law
This guide gives a detailed explanation of the rules for non-contributory benefits for disabled people. It cannot cover every situation or problem, or provide a full interpretation of the rules in all cases, so it cannot be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.
The basis of the law for these benefits is contained in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security Act 1998. These Acts provide the framework for the detailed rules contained in regulations and orders made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament.
In the text there are references to the relevant Acts and Regulations, to allow you to consult the legal wording of the rules. These documents are listed in ‘Further information ’, which also tells you where you can consult them.