Stroke, work and benefits

Is a stroke a disability?

Under the Equality Act 2010, a condition counts as a disability if it has a substantial (more than minor) and long-term (12 months or more) effect on your normal daily activities. The law looks at how you would be without treatment. Many people with long-term effects after a stroke are covered.

Returning to work

Take your time. A phased return, where you build up hours slowly, often works best. An occupational health assessment can help plan it. Reasonable adjustments could include:

• fewer or flexible hours, and more breaks to manage fatigue
• a quiet place to work, and written instructions
• equipment such as voice recognition software or an adapted keyboard
• changes to duties

Access to Work can help pay for equipment, support workers or taxis to work.

Benefits

PIP is based on how the effects of your stroke affect you on most days. It can affect many activities, such as:

• moving around and planning journeys
• preparing food, washing and dressing, if one side of your body is weak
• communicating and reading, if you have aphasia
• making budgeting decisions, if memory or thinking is affected

If you are over State Pension age, look at Attendance Allowance instead of PIP. It is for people who need help with personal care or supervision.

If you cannot work

If your health means you cannot work, or can only work a little, you may be able to get New Style Employment and Support Allowance or extra money in Universal Credit. These are separate from PIP, and you can get them at the same time.

Other help

You may be able to get a Blue Badge, a Disabled Persons Railcard or help with home adaptations.

Free, independent advisers, such as Citizens Advice or a local welfare rights service, can help you check what you can claim and fill in forms.