Financial matters & Benefit allowances
Living with a long
term debilitating health condition may mean that you are no longer able to
work, or be limited to less hours, or a carer may need to give
up work in order to take care of you. This can lead to financial strain on your
household.
Benefits:
You may find that you need to seek financial support via the benefits system. There are various benefit types to which you may be entitled some are means tested (based on household income) and some are non-means tested. There is no automatic entitlement to benefits, and you may have to submit medical documentation or attend a medical assessment.
Types of benefits - you may be entitled to one or a combination of:
Information on how to claim these benefits can be found at www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
A website with useful information packs on how to complete benefit claim forms and appeal benefit decisions can be found at www.actionforme.org.uk/get-informed/welfare-benefits
Information on welfare benefit entitlement can also be found at www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ or you can use the benefits advisor service to obtain an estimate of how much and what type of benefits you may be entitled to at www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser
If you need help with forms or advice on your entitlements to benefits you can contact your local 'Citizens Advice Bureau' via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or your local Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) via www.scope.org.uk/dial
Finances:
General advice and information on money matters including a budgeting tools can be found at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
If you are in severe financial difficulties and/or are under threat of eviction, debt collectors or court action you can contact either your local Citizens Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or the Step Change (CSCS) for free impartial advice at www.stepchange.org or for general advice www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
Or if you have been advised by one of these organisations to seek bankrupty further information can be found on 'The Insolvency Service' website at www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency
Benefits:
You may find that you need to seek financial support via the benefits system. There are various benefit types to which you may be entitled some are means tested (based on household income) and some are non-means tested. There is no automatic entitlement to benefits, and you may have to submit medical documentation or attend a medical assessment.
Types of benefits - you may be entitled to one or a combination of:
- Council tax benefit - assistance with council tax payments - means tested
- Housing benefit - assistance with rent payments - based on income, occupancy and need
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - this benefit is not means tested, and is based on your needs, in terms of physical care and mobility requirements. Note: The criteria for DLA assessment is currently under review and a new type of benefit – Personal independence payment is due to phased in from April 2013
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA) - this benefit has replaced Incapacity benefit and is aimed at supporting those with disabilities, and assessing their work capabilities. The benefit is assessed based on contributions paid and/or income. The claimants capability to work may be tested. Note: The criteria for ESA assessment is currently under review and a new type of benefit is due to phased in from April 2013
- Working tax credit - a 'top up'to household income for those that are able to work - means tested
- Child tax credit - a 'top up' to household income for those that have dependant children - means tested
- Child benefit - a benefit to assist in supporting those with dependant children - non-means tested
Information on how to claim these benefits can be found at www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
A website with useful information packs on how to complete benefit claim forms and appeal benefit decisions can be found at www.actionforme.org.uk/get-informed/welfare-benefits
Information on welfare benefit entitlement can also be found at www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ or you can use the benefits advisor service to obtain an estimate of how much and what type of benefits you may be entitled to at www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser
If you need help with forms or advice on your entitlements to benefits you can contact your local 'Citizens Advice Bureau' via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or your local Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) via www.scope.org.uk/dial
Finances:
General advice and information on money matters including a budgeting tools can be found at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
If you are in severe financial difficulties and/or are under threat of eviction, debt collectors or court action you can contact either your local Citizens Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or the Step Change (CSCS) for free impartial advice at www.stepchange.org or for general advice www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/
Or if you have been advised by one of these organisations to seek bankrupty further information can be found on 'The Insolvency Service' website at www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency