FINANCES AND MONEY

If you are living with osteoporosis or broken bones, you may be able to get help with money. The support available depends on your situation. This page covers support for people above and below State Pension age. You can check your State Pension age on the government website. This page also explains what financial help may be available to carers.

Benefits

Benefits are money paid to you by the government if you meet certain criteria. Each benefit has its own rules about who can get it. Some benefits are means tested. This means that how much you can get depends on your income and savings. For other benefits, it depends on how your condition affects your daily life. If you’re nearing the end of your life, you may be able to get some benefits more quickly and at a higher rate.

The benefits that are available often change over time. It’s always best to check the government benefits pages for the latest information.

• Benefits in England and Wales

• Benefits in Scotland

• Benefits in Northern Ireland

You can use the free benefits calculator from charity Turn2us to work out what benefits you could claim.

Grants

Grants are financial help given to you by a charity or organisation. You do not have to pay them back. Grants can be money, things you need or services.

Each grant has its own rules about who can apply. For example, if you’re on a low income or have a health condition. Most grants will help people who cannot get benefits.

You can use the free Turn2us’s Grants Search tool to find grants you may be able to get.

You may be able to claim one or more of these benefits if you’re under State Pension age.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you’re employed and need time off because of osteoporosis or a broken bone, you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Some employers may offer a higher rate of sick pay. You can check with your workplace for more information.

If you’re off work for more than seven days, you may need a fit note (sick note) from a healthcare professional.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for ESA if your condition affects how much you can work. How much you can get depends on whether you’re likely to be able to work in the future. You may also receive support to return to work. You can apply for ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.

You can also look at our information about work and employment with osteoporosis.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Can I get PIP?

PIP can help with your living costs if you have both:

• a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability

• difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.

You can get PIP if you’re working, have savings, or are getting other benefits. How much you can get depends on how difficult you find everyday tasks and getting around.

You cannot get PIP in Scotland. If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Adult Disability Payment (ADP) instead. The amount you can get and the assessment process is similar.

How might osteoporosis affect my daily life?

Osteoporosis and osteopenia do not usually cause pain on their own, unless you break a bone. PIP assessments consider how your condition impacts your daily life, rather than the condition itself. So, if you’re applying for PIP (or ADP), it’s important to explain how osteoporosis, broken bones, or a high risk of broken bones, affect your daily activities. Many people find the effects can be different each day, so think about your bad days as well as your good days. It’s normal for broken bones to affect you differently over time.

Here are some examples of how osteoporosis and broken bones can affect people in their daily lives:

• Spinal fractures can cause back pain. For some people, this might make it difficult or painful to stand up to cook meals or bend down to use the oven.

• A higher risk of falling and fractures can mean some people are unable to use the bathroom safely. They may use grab rails, a shower seat, or need help from another person. Some people might need a shower because it is not safe for them to use a bath.

• Some types of fracture can cause long-term pain or affect mobility. This can make it harder for some people to walk. They may need a walking aid or be unable to walk far on their own.

• Kyphosis (a curved spine) can affect reach and balance. This can make it harder to move around or to dress and undress. For example, it might be difficult to reach behind to fasten a bra, do up buttons, or bend down to put on socks and shoes.

Experiencing these things does not necessarily mean you will be able to get PIP or ADP. But it can help to think through how your condition and symptoms affect you and what support you need.

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit is a payment to help with living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or cannot work. If you have a health condition, you might be able to get extra money.

How much you get depends on your income and housing costs. It also depends on how much your health condition or disability affects your ability to work.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

For most people, DLA is being replaced by other benefits. You can no longer apply for it.

If you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it.

If you were born after 8 April 1948, you’ll get a letter telling you when your DLA will end. You may be eligible for PIP or ADP instead.

If you’re already getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it will continue when you reach State Pension age.

Most people cannot make a new claim for PIP after they reach State Pension age. There is other support you may be able to get instead which we explain below.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you need someone to help look after you because of your health condition. How much you get depends on the level of care that you need. What you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get. You can apply if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Pension Age Disability Payment

If you live in Scotland and need care because of a disability or health condition, you can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment. This has replaced Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit may give you extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

Carer’s Allowance

You could get Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to or live with the person you care for.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. It could also affect how much tax you pay.

Carer Support Payment

In Scotland, Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance. You may also be able to get Scottish Carer Supplement and Carer Additional Person Payment.

Carer’s Credit

You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.

Carer’s Credit helps with gaps in your National Insurance record that might affect your State Pension. Your income, savings or investments will not affect whether you can get Carer’s Credit.

There are several ways you may be able to get help with travel and transport costs.

Driving and parking

• A Blue Badge could help you park closer to where you’re going and sometimes get free parking. You can check the details with your local council and apply for a badge.

• The Motability Scheme could help you lease a car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle or scooter, if you’re getting a higher amount of PIP.

• The amount of vehicle tax you pay might be reduced if you get a higher amount of PIP or certain other benefits.

Public transport

• A Disabled Person’s Railcard could help you save money on train tickets. You may be asked to show evidence of your condition or the benefits you’re on before you can get a card.

• A Disabled Person’s Bus Pass could help you travel on buses for free if you can’t walk very far because of your health condition. You can apply through your local council.

• A bus pass for free travel is available in England when you reach State Pension age. If you live in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, you can get one when you’re 60. You can apply through your local council.

• The NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme may help with the cost of travel to medical appointments if you get certain benefits. You can also ask your hospital if they have a Patient Transport Service.

If you’re over 60 or receive certain benefits, you may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions in England. You can check if you can get help with prescription costs on the NHS website.

If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, NHS prescriptions are free for everyone.

Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)

If you live in England and need regular prescriptions that you pay for yourself, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) could help you save money.

You pay one set price for the certificate. It then covers all your NHS prescriptions while it is valid, no matter how many medicines you need.

You may save money if you need:

• more than three prescription items in three months

• 11 prescription items in 12 months.

There is also a PPC for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This covers all your NHS HRT prescriptions for 12 months. You can buy a PPC on the NHS website.

Help with heating costs and energy bills

There may be support available to reduce your heating costs and energy bills. The help that is available often changes over time. It’s always best to check the latest government information.

• Help with energy bills in England and Wales

• Help with energy bills in Scotland

• Help with energy bills in Northern Ireland

Cold Weather Payments

If you get certain benefits, you may also receive Cold Weather Payments if the average temperature in your area falls to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row.

This payment is available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. If you’re eligible, you should receive the payment automatically. If you live in Scotland, you may be able to get Winter Heating Payment instead.

Winter Fuel Payments

If you were born on or before 27 June 1960, you could get up to £300 to help pay your heating bills. If you’re eligible, you should receive the payment automatically. You may be asked to pay it back if you have a higher income. Winter Fuel Payments are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you’re in Scotland, you may be able to get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you get certain benefits and live in England, Wales or Scotland, the Warm Home Discount Scheme may give you a one-off discount on your winter electricity bill. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. In Northern Ireland, it’s the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

Warm hubs

Some local councils have set up warm hubs, which are heated areas in places like libraries and community centres, where you can spend time for free.

You can use the Warm Welcome Spaces website to find warm hubs near you or ask your local council.

Help with adapting your home

You may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to help make changes to your home. These changes could make it easier for you to get around, for example adding ramps or making doorways wider.

Help with food costs

Food banks may be able to give you emergency food. You need to get a food bank voucher referral first. You can get one from Citizens Advice, a local healthcare professional, or a community organisation. You can find more information about how to get a referral here. The Trussell Trust can help you find your local food bank.

Help from your local council

Your local council may have a Crisis and Resilience Fund if you’re struggling to afford food and heating. You do not always have to be getting benefits to apply for help. In Wales, this is called the Discretionary Assistance Fund. In Scotland, it’s the Scottish Welfare Fund.

What if I need more financial help?

There may be other financial support available that we have not included on this page.

If you’re finding things difficult, the Turn2us website has information about other help you may be able to get, including grants and crisis funds. You can also speak to your local Citizens Advice office.

Age UK also offers advice and support for older people about the cost of living and how to manage your money.

If you’re worried about debt, charities like National Debtline can help.

Benefit claim forms can be long and complicated. You’re not alone, and it’s normal to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. You can ask for help from organisations like Citizens Advice and Turn2us.

Here are some other tips to help you apply for financial support.

• Have all your paperwork ready before applying. This could include proof of identity, income, savings, and your National Insurance number.

• Remember that some effects of broken bones are invisible, like pain, fatigue, or fear of falling. You’ll need to provide evidence to help a benefits assessor understand the impact. This could be a diary of how your osteoporosis or broken bones affect your daily life. Think about specific examples. Is it difficult for you to wash, dress, cook, clean, or get around? Have you had to make any changes or use any tools to help you manage?

• Ask your healthcare professional if they can provide a letter or report for you to include with your application. The report should explain how your condition affects daily tasks like washing, dressing, and cooking.

• Think about your bad days as well as your good days when explaining the impact of your condition. To get some benefits, you must find everyday tasks difficult most of the time.

• Check if your claim can be backdated and, if so, by how long.

• If your benefits claim is not successful, you may be able to challenge the decision. For help with challenging benefits decisions, you can find information on the Turn2us website, speak to your local Citizens Advice service or find a local benefits advisor.

• Remember to report any change of circumstances while on benefits. For example, if you start work again or take up a different type of paid work. This may affect what you’re entitled to.