Checklist of entitlements
I can highly recommend the www.direct.gov.uk website for more detailed information on most of the things below. Also the government’s benefits hotline (freephone: 0800 882 200) gives advice and information for disabled people and carers on the full range of benefits available and how to claim them. The line also offers help with claim form completion for certain benefits.
DLA
If you have needed help for 3 months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability, and you are likely to need help for at least another 6 months, you can claim Disability Living Allowance. It’s not means tested and is in 2 parts, mobility and care. Don’t wait until you are discharged from hospital because you can claim it as soon as you start to spend time at home e.g. weekend visits. Don’t delay because it can’t be backdated, get it sent off ASAP! I know the form is an absolute arse but don’t be put off, get it done get some help from hospital staff/social services/local charities.
Telephone 08457 123 456
Carer’s allowance
If you are age 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone who is severely disabled, you may be able to get Carer’s Allowance.
Telephone: 01253 856 123
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
This depends on your employment situation but you can normally expect this to be dealt with by your employer. You will get to the point where you will get SSP but you need to be employed when you became sick? You should have been sick for at least 4 days in a row including weekends and bank holidays and have earned enough on average for NI.
The most important thing to note is that once this runs out (or if you can’t get it) you can then get incapacity benefit.
Incapacity benefit from Jobcentre plus
If you are sick and you were not working when you became sick, or you were self-employed, or you have been sick for more than 28 weeks, you may be eligible for Incapacity Benefit. Your employer has a duty to send you a form when the time comes but in our case that didn’t happen. Make sure you get an application in because your claim can only be backdated so far and you can soon lose out on a lot of money!
Council tax reduction
If you are paying council tax and a resident of the property becomes disabled it’s possible there may be a reduction You should check with your local council on the rules but if someone is on full DLA or a room, other than a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory is used mainly to meet the needs of the disabled person then it’s likely.
Transport
If you are getting the higher rate of the Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you can apply to an organisation called motability for help in hiring a new car, buying on hire purchase new or used cars or wheelchairs on preferential terms. You may need to be on a fixed period award of probably 3 years or more. Who can refuse a free car so you should look closely.
MAVIS Mobility Advice & Vehicle Information Service: 01344 661000
Also if your car is used by a disabled person or if it is to be used for someone to get the disabled person around, pick up prescriptions or run errands you can get a special car tax disc that is free.
If on higher rate DLA ring DVLA on 0845 7123456
If you don’t want to be fined it’s also worth noting that anyone with a license should inform the DVLA of your brain injury.
Your local council may run a local transport scheme. Usually a small fee will get you a permit that allows local travel at a reduced rate or get a disabled person vital transport to hospitals and services.
Free Cinema
If you are in receipt of DLA or registered blind the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card can be bought for £5 and allows the holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. There are many cinema’s that participate
For more information visit the website