Carers Information Pack - Benefits and money matters

If you would like a PDF version of the full pack or individual sections of it, emailed to you please contact us.

People who have an illness or disability, carers and/or people on a low income may be entitled to a range of benefits.  The regulations on benefits are complex and change regularly so it is best to seek advice. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can give confidential, free, independent, impartial advice on benefits, entitlements, money problems and debt counselling.  If you are over 60 you can contact your Local Pension Service.   

AGE UK MONEY ADVICE SERVICE  Money advice service that is unbiased, non judgemental and completely confidential.  Aims to assist people over 50 to make informed decisions about the future of their money.  Covers budgeting, pensions, savings and investments, benefits, mortgages and borrowing.  www.ageukwestsussex.org.uk

BENEFITS Entitlement to benefit is based on various criteria eg National Insurance contribution record, current income, savings, age, how a disability affects you or the person you care for, and your individual personal circumstances.  www.direct.gov.uk

• Attendance Allowance (AA) – you may be able to get Attendance Allowance if you are aged 65 or over and need help with personal care or supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in substantial danger.  Special rules exist if you are terminally ill - If you have a progressive disease and are not reasonably expected to live for more than another six months, there are special rules to help you get Attendance Allowance more quickly and easily.  

• Carers Allowance – if you are caring for someone at least 35 hrs a week, are aged 16 or over, are not earning more than a certain amount per week, and are not in full time education you may be entitled to this allowance.  The person you are caring for must be receiving AA or, highest or middle rate personal care component of DLA.

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – you may get Disability Living Allowance if you have a physical or mental disability or both, and your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or you have walking difficulties or both, and you are under 65 when you claim.  Special rules exist if you are terminally ill - If you have a progressive disease and are not reasonably expected to live for more than another six months, there are special rules to help you get Disability Living Allowance more quickly and easily.  From April 2013 a new benefit, Personal Independence Payment, will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for disabled people aged 16 to 64.  Help with Health costs – for information regarding claims for exemption from NHS charges, or help with charges, tel 0845 850 1166.  Can provide advice and information about entitlement to help with prescriptions, dental and optical treatment, travel to hospital, wigs and fabric supports. 

• Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit – You may get Housing Benefit if you pay rent and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level.  

• Income Support – Income Support is extra money to help people on a low income and is for people who don't have to sign on as unemployed.

• Pension Credit - Pension Credit is an income related benefit for pensioners living in Great Britain. It is made up of two different parts, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

CARERS TRUST GRANTS As a member of Carers Trust network of carers centres, Carers Support Service, Worthing and District can make an application for funds to contribute towards:

• A break in the UK for the carer

• Equipment to make the carers life easier

• Educational bursaries to pay for a course

• Transport for carers

• Structured activities for young people with caring responsibilities

Grants are not means tested, but a financial information sheet does need to be completed, and Carers Trust expect that carers who can afford to pay for these things themselves, will do so.  As availability of funds depends on the fund raising that Carers Trust does, not all grants are open for applications at all times.  Whilst grant applications have to be made through Carers Support Service, Worthing & District, we do not have any input into the decision. 

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB) A full entry for this service is in the section ‘Advice and Information’.  http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e.htm

CIVIL SERVICE BENEVOLENT FUND The service exists to help serving, retired and former Civil Servants (and staff of certain associated organisations) and their dependants. Assistance may include non-repayable or repayable grants. www.csbf.org.uk

HORSHAM COMMUNITY DEBT ADVICE SERVICE Offers a free and confidential debt advice service, without liability, to members of the public who have financial problems.  Is able to negotiate with creditors on client's behalf.  This is mainly for people from Horsham district, but clients from further away are welcome if they can travel.  http://www.hdas.co.uk/

JOBCENTRE PLUS - WORTHING  Responsible for managing claims and payment of working age benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support and health related benefits.

MONEY ADVICE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE (MACS) Provides a specialist welfare benefit and debt advice telephone line available to the general public.  http://www.macss.org.uk

PENSION SERVICE Provide a wide range of information for people aged over 60 on state pensions, Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, winter fuel payments and related benefits.  http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/the-pension-service/

SSAFA/FORCES HELP Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association/Forces Help provide practical and personal welfare support, and to ex-service personnel, financial advice and support, residential care, short-stay accommodation and a Housing Advisory service. www.ssafa.org.uk

WEST SUSSEX CREDIT UNION  Non profit making savings and loans co-operative owned by its members. Offers financial advice and support and aims to provide cost effective and flexible loans and help with savings strategy.  http://www.westsussexcreditunion.co.uk/

This page was last updated 23/04/2012