Let’s Talk Money – Disability and carers’ benefits
Sadly, living costs can be higher if you have a disability or caring responsibilities. If you have care needs or a disability, or are caring for someone, it’s important to know what benefits and entitlements you might qualify for and how to claim them.
Looking after a family member who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem can be a huge commitment. The good news is there is financial help and support services available.
Help and support available
Disability, sickness and carer benefits include:
- Personal Independence Payment
- Child Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work / Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity
- Universal Credit Disabled Child Elements
- Universal Credit Carer Element
MoneyHelper – Benefits if you’re sick, disabled or a carer
Claire’s story
Claire works part time and cares full time for her husband who has a disability and claims PIP. They have a joint claim for Universal Credit and had a routine benefit check with a Welfare Advice Officer at Apex.
It was identified that they were not claiming the Carer Element within their UC claim. Claire had no idea she was entitled to claim this and is now £198.31 per month better off.
Elizabeth’s story
Elizabeth developed health conditions after she turned state pension age which restricted her ability to care for herself. She did not think she was entitled to claim benefits as she had a small private pension.
Apex’s Welfare Advice Officer advised that eligibility for Attendance Allowance is based only on care needs (not income or savings). Elizabeth was assisted with the application and is now £108.55 per week better off.
Looking back to this time last year, I could barely afford food and rarely put the heating on. Clodagh assisted me to claim benefits I had no idea I was entitled to. My anxiety has lessened with the extra income, and I thank Apex’s Welfare Advice Service for all their help.
Elizabeth
‘Do one thing’
If you ‘do one thing’ this Talk Money Week, get in touch with a member of our Welfare Advice Team.
Clodagh, Daniel and Hayley are qualified benefits advisers who can provide advice, guidance or help with applying for disability or carers’ benefits.
Tel: 028 7130 4800
Email: welfareadvice@apex.org.uk
