Many people identify more strongly with their health condition, chronic illness or long-term illness than with the term "disabled".
However, many physical and mental health conditions can also meet the legal definition of disability, giving people important rights and protections.
This guide is intended to be inclusive and useful regardless of age, gender, identity, background or diagnosis.
Understanding Long-Term Health Conditions
A long-term health condition can affect a person's health, independence, work, education, family life and ability to carry out everyday activities.
Conditions can be:
- Physical
- Mental
- Neurological
- Autoimmune
- Musculoskeletal
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Endocrine or metabolic
- Digestive
- Genetic
- Acquired following illness or injury
- Progressive
- Fluctuating or episodic
Conditions that can have a long-term effect include:
Chronic Pain
Persistent pain conditions, neuropathic pain and long-term musculoskeletal pain.
Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties and cognitive symptoms.
ME/CFS
Fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep problems and cognitive difficulties.
Neurological Conditions
Including MS, Parkinson's, epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
Heart & Lung Conditions
Including heart disease, COPD, severe asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Autoimmune Conditions
Including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other immune-mediated diseases.
Invisible & Fluctuating Conditions
Many long-term health conditions are not immediately visible to other people.
Someone may look well while experiencing:
- Severe fatigue
- Chronic pain
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Brain fog
- Memory problems
- Weakness
- Sensory difficulties
- Seizures
- Bowel or bladder difficulties
- Heart symptoms
- Mental health symptoms
Getting Medical Help & Recording Symptoms
If you have ongoing or unexplained symptoms, speak to a GP or other appropriate healthcare professional.
Diagnosis can sometimes take time, particularly where symptoms:
- Overlap with several different conditions
- Come and go
- Are difficult to measure
- Do not show on a single test
- Are caused by more than one condition
Keeping a Symptom Record
A simple diary can sometimes help you explain what is happening.
Useful information can include:
- Which symptoms occur
- How severe they are
- How long they last
- What seems to trigger them
- Medication and side effects
- Sleep
- Mobility
- Food or hydration where relevant
- How symptoms affect work or education
- How symptoms affect washing, dressing, cooking or other daily activities
Chronic & Persistent Pain
Chronic or persistent pain generally means pain that continues for a prolonged period rather than ordinary short-term pain following an injury.
It can occur by itself or as part of another condition.
Pain can affect:
- Walking and mobility
- Sleep
- Concentration
- Memory
- Mood
- Employment
- Relationships
- Social activities
- Personal care
- Cooking and household activities
Examples include:
- Long-term back pain
- Neuropathic or nerve pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – CRPS
- Arthritis-related pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Persistent post-surgical pain
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that can cause widespread pain and a range of other symptoms.
Symptoms can vary significantly between people and can fluctuate.
They may include:
- Widespread pain
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep difficulties
- Muscle stiffness
- Headaches
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Symptoms sometimes described as "fibro fog"
ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – ME/CFS – is a long-term condition that can affect many different parts of the body.
The NHS identifies four main symptoms:
- Extreme fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Problems with thinking, concentration and memory – often called brain fog
- Post-exertional malaise – PEM
Energy Management
NICE guidance recommends an individual approach based on the person's own energy limits.
This can involve:
- Balancing activity and rest
- Breaking activities into smaller parts
- Recognising individual energy limits
- Adjusting activity down during flare-ups
- Avoiding automatic increases in activity
Multiple Sclerosis – MS
Multiple sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms vary significantly between people and may include:
- Fatigue
- Vision problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Balance problems
- Muscle spasms and stiffness
- Mobility difficulties
- Bladder problems
- Memory or concentration problems
Parkinson's
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition.
The main movement symptoms can include:
- Tremor
- Slowness of movement
- Muscle stiffness
Other symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Balance difficulties
- Sleep problems
- Speech and swallowing difficulties
- Pain
- Depression or anxiety
- Memory and cognitive changes
Arthritis & Joint Conditions
Arthritis is a broad term covering conditions that can cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced movement.
Types include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Arthritis can affect:
- Walking
- Standing
- Using stairs
- Grip and dexterity
- Writing and typing
- Washing and dressing
- Cooking
- Work
- Sleep
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes blood glucose levels to become too high.
Types include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Other less common types of diabetes
Long-term complications can affect areas including:
- Eyes
- Feet
- Nerves
- Kidneys
- Heart and circulation
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition affecting the brain that causes seizures.
Different seizures can cause different symptoms, including:
- Loss of awareness
- Stiffening
- Jerking movements
- Falling
- Unusual sensations
- Changes in behaviour
- Temporary confusion
Long COVID
Long COVID, also called post-COVID syndrome, is where symptoms following COVID-19 continue for longer than 12 weeks.
Symptoms can be different for each person and may include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Joint or muscle pain
- Brain fog
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems
- Changes to smell or taste
- Anxiety or depression
Heart, Lung & Respiratory Conditions
Heart and lung conditions can significantly affect stamina, breathing, mobility and everyday activities.
Heart Conditions
Examples include coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart rhythm conditions and other cardiovascular disease.
Symptoms can include fatigue, chest symptoms, breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung conditions causing breathing difficulties.
Symptoms can include persistent breathlessness, cough, wheezing and recurrent chest infections.
Asthma
Asthma can range from mild to severe. Some people need substantial medication and adjustments where symptoms remain difficult to control.
Other Lung Conditions
Other respiratory diseases can also affect oxygen levels, energy, mobility and the ability to carry out everyday activities.
Other Long-Term Health Conditions
This guide cannot list every health condition. Many other illnesses can have a substantial effect on daily life.
Digestive Conditions
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory or digestive conditions.
Autoimmune Disease
Lupus and other conditions where the immune system affects the body's own tissues.
Connective Tissue Conditions
Including conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and related disorders.
Migraine
Some people experience frequent or disabling migraine affecting work and daily activities.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease can require ongoing monitoring, medication or dialysis.
Stroke Effects
Some people experience long-term mobility, speech, cognitive or fatigue-related effects following a stroke.
Cancer
Cancer and cancer treatment can affect energy, mobility, cognition, immune function and everyday activities.
Neurological Conditions
Many other neurological conditions can affect movement, sensation, speech, memory or cognition.
Rare Conditions
A condition does not need to be common to create significant disability or support needs.
Equality Act 2010 & Long-Term Health Conditions
The Equality Act 2010 applies in England, Scotland and Wales.
A person is generally disabled under the Act if they have:
- A physical or mental impairment
- That has a substantial adverse effect
- That is long-term
- And affects normal day-to-day activities
Cancer, HIV & Multiple Sclerosis
- Cancer
- HIV infection
- Multiple sclerosis
Fluctuating Conditions
A condition does not have to cause exactly the same level of difficulty every day.
Conditions that recur or fluctuate can still satisfy the legal test.
Progressive Conditions
Special rules can apply where a condition is progressive and is likely to become more substantially disabling over time.
Northern Ireland Disability Rights
The Equality Act 2010 does not apply to Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland has separate disability discrimination law, including the Disability Discrimination Act.
Disabled people can have rights involving:
- Employment
- Goods and services
- Education
- Reasonable adjustments
- Access to services
Employment & Workplace Support
A long-term health condition does not automatically mean someone must stop working.
Many people continue working with appropriate treatment, flexibility and workplace adjustments.
Reasonable Adjustments Can Include
- Flexible starting or finishing times
- Changing working patterns
- Working from home or hybrid working where appropriate
- Additional or differently timed rest breaks
- Adapted equipment
- Changing the workstation
- Changing some duties
- Providing accessible documents or software
- Time off for treatment or medical appointments where reasonable
- A phased return after sickness absence
- Adjustments to disability-related absence procedures
Disability-Related Absence
Where a worker is disabled, an employer may need to consider adjustments to ordinary sickness absence procedures.
Acas gives examples including:
- Not counting some disability-related absence towards an attendance trigger
- Increasing absence trigger points
- Recording disability-related absence separately
Fit Notes, Sickness Absence & Returning to Work
If someone is unable to work because of illness, they may need medical evidence for their employer.
Fit notes can be issued by certain healthcare professionals, including:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Pharmacists working in appropriate clinical settings
"May Be Fit for Work"
A fit note can say a person may be able to work with appropriate support.
This may prompt discussion about:
- Different working hours
- Changed duties
- A phased return
- Workplace adaptations
- Other reasonable adjustments
Phased Return
A phased return may involve gradually increasing hours or duties following long-term illness or injury.
The arrangement should reflect the person's individual circumstances.
Access to Work
Access to Work can help eligible people with a disability or health condition obtain practical support to start work, stay in work or do their job.
Support can potentially include:
- Specialist equipment
- Support workers
- Communication support
- Travel-to-work support in qualifying circumstances
- Mental health support
- Workplace assessments
Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 7479
Northern Ireland operates a separate Access to Work (NI) programme.
Benefits & Financial Support
A long-term health condition may make a person eligible for financial support, but entitlement depends on the specific benefit and individual circumstances.
PIP
Personal Independence Payment can help with extra costs where a long-term health condition or disability creates difficulties with daily living or mobility.
PIP applies to new working-age disability claims in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, subject to the relevant rules.
Adult Disability Payment – Scotland
Adult Disability Payment has replaced PIP in Scotland.
It supports eligible working-age people whose disability or long-term health condition affects everyday life.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance may help eligible people who have reached State Pension age and need help or supervision because of disability or ill health.
Pension Age Disability Payment – Scotland
Scotland's Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance for people in Scotland.
New Style ESA
New Style Employment and Support Allowance may be available where a health condition or disability affects someone's ability to work and contribution conditions are met.
Universal Credit
People on a low income or unable to work because of a health condition may be able to claim Universal Credit. A Work Capability Assessment may be relevant where health affects ability to work.
Support for Disabled Children
Families may also be able to claim disability benefits for a child.
In Scotland this includes Child Disability Payment. Elsewhere, Disability Living Allowance for children may apply, subject to eligibility.
Support for Carers
Carer's Allowance and other carer benefits are for people providing substantial care to someone else.
Scotland has separate devolved carer payments.
Prescriptions & Help With Health Costs
Prescription and NHS charging arrangements differ across the UK.
Prescription Charges Can Apply
Some people qualify for free NHS prescriptions because of:
- Age
- Income or qualifying benefits
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Certain specified medical conditions
- Other exemption rules
NHS prescriptions dispensed in Scotland are generally free.
People registered with a GP in Wales are entitled to free prescriptions dispensed by a pharmacist in Wales, subject to the relevant arrangements.
Prescriptions dispensed under the Health Service in Northern Ireland are free.
Travel to NHS Treatment
Eligible people may also be able to get help with travel costs for certain NHS specialist treatment.
Social Care, Daily Living & Independent Living
A person does not have to live in a care home to receive social care.
Depending on their needs and local eligibility rules, support may include:
- Help at home
- Personal care
- Equipment
- Home adaptations
- Telecare
- Support with meals
- Day services
- Direct payments
- Respite or support for carers
Needs Assessment
Where long-term illness makes everyday life difficult, a social care needs assessment may identify what help is required.
Equipment, Adaptations & Assistive Technology
Long-term illness can create practical barriers that can sometimes be reduced through equipment or adaptations.
Examples include:
Mobility
Wheelchairs, walking aids, mobility scooters and specialist seating.
Daily Living
Grab rails, bathing equipment, dressing aids and adapted kitchen equipment.
Communication
Speech-generating equipment, AAC, text-to-speech and alternative computer access.
Home Adaptations
Ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms and other disability-related changes.
Education & Long-Term Health Conditions
A long-term health condition can affect attendance, concentration, energy, mobility and ability to complete school, college or university work.
Reasonable adjustments may include:
- Flexible attendance arrangements
- Rest breaks
- Accessible classrooms
- Extra time
- Alternative ways of completing work
- Assistive technology
- Home or remote education in appropriate circumstances
- Adjustments around medical treatment
Higher Education
Eligible students may be able to receive additional support through Disabled Students' Allowance or the equivalent national scheme.
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Living with chronic illness can affect emotional wellbeing as well as physical health.
People may experience:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Depression
- Stress
- Loss of confidence
- Grief about changes in health
- Loneliness or isolation
- Relationship strain
- Worry about employment or finances
Adults can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for many common mental health conditions. These services can also support anxiety or depression occurring alongside some long-term physical health conditions.
NHS 111 Wales provides mental health information and urgent support.
Northern Ireland's Lifeline service provides confidential crisis support for people in distress or despair.
Available 24 hours a day.
Support for Family Members & Unpaid Carers
Long-term illness can affect the whole household.
An unpaid carer might help with:
- Personal care
- Medication
- Mobility
- Communication
- Appointments
- Household tasks
- Emotional support
- Safety and supervision
Driving With a Medical Condition
Some medical conditions must be reported to the relevant driving authority if they affect safe driving.
Northern Ireland driving licences are administered separately through the DVA.
Getting the Most From Healthcare Appointments
Long-term conditions often involve several appointments and different health professionals.
It can help to prepare before an appointment.
Write Down Your Main Concerns
List the most important symptoms or questions so they are not forgotten.
Take a Medication List
Include prescribed medicines, doses and any important side effects.
Explain the Effect on Everyday Life
Explain not only what the symptom is, but what it prevents or makes difficult in everyday life.
Ask What Happens Next
Ask about investigations, referrals, treatment, follow-up and who to contact if symptoms worsen.
Ask for Accessible Communication
Tell the service if you need information in another format or need communication support.
If Your Condition Gets Worse or Your Needs Change
Long-term conditions can change over time.
If your circumstances change, consider whether you need to:
- Speak to your GP or specialist
- Request a medication or treatment review
- Ask for a social care reassessment
- Review workplace adjustments
- Request an occupational health assessment
- Review mobility or daily living equipment
- Tell a benefit provider about a relevant change where required
- Review a care or support plan
Advice, Advocacy & Rights
Disability Rights UK
Information about disability rights, benefits and independent living.
Equality Advisory & Support Service
Equality and discrimination information for England, Scotland and Wales.
Equality Commission NI
Equality and discrimination information for Northern Ireland.
Useful Condition-Specific Organisations
Versus Arthritis
Support and information for arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
Fibromyalgia Action UK
Information and support for people affected by fibromyalgia.
British Heart Foundation
Heart and circulatory condition information and support.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Practical, emotional and financial information for people affected by cancer.
Urgent & Emergency Help
Useful Contacts
Key Point
In England, Scotland and Wales, many physical and mental health conditions can meet the Equality Act definition where their effects are substantial and long-term. Cancer, HIV and multiple sclerosis receive protection from diagnosis.
Fluctuating, recurring and progressive conditions can also be protected.
Support may be available through healthcare, social care, workplace reasonable adjustments, Access to Work, disability benefits, equipment, education support and specialist charities.
The important question is often not simply "What diagnosis do you have?" but also: "How does your condition affect your everyday life?"
This page provides general information about long-term health conditions, disability rights, benefits, healthcare and support. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace individual medical, legal or benefits advice.
Symptoms, treatments and support needs differ between individuals. If you develop new, severe or worsening symptoms, seek appropriate medical advice.
Benefit rules, NHS arrangements, employment law and support schemes can change. Always check the official source linked on this page before relying on information for an important decision.