Updated 13/03/2007
Are you eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment 2006/07?
If you are 60 or over on or before 24th September 2006 and did not receive the payment last year, call the Winter Fuel Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15 (Mon - Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm except bank holidays) or download a claim form and leaflet from www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel. Claim before 22nd September 2006 to receive payment before Christmas. Final deadline is 31st March 2007.
Payment is £200 per household with an additional £100 if the household includes someone over 80.
Grants for improving insulation and heating may be available as well. Call Eaga on 0800 316 6011 or visit www.eaga.co.uk
Are you entitled to Help with Health
Costs? (HC11)
Go to www.dh.gov.uk and search for HC11 (Government sites move information so often that this is the only way to find the document).
Pension Credit (rates from April 2004)
This is a new entitlement which replaced the minimum income guarantee from October 2003. This guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least £105.45 if single and £160.95 if you have a partner. For the first time, those aged 65 and over will be "rewarded for saving for their retirement". This benefit has to be applied for. Application by phone 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0881 690 133) - M-F 8-8 Sat 9-1.
Attendance allowance for ages over 65
Severe disability (physical/mental) and needs (not necessarily
getting) another person to help with bodily functions or supervision to avoid
serious risk to self or others. Conditions to be met for 6 months unless
claiming under special rules related to terminal illness (form DS1500 required
from your doctor).
Weekly higher £57.20 lower £38.30
Carers Allowance (previously Invalid Care Allowance)
Non-contributory, not means tested but is taxable. Payable to someone caring for a severely disabled person receiving the Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate Disability Living Allowance. To qualify the carer must provide care for at least 35 hours per week, be over 16 (upper limit of 65 now removed), not be in full time education (21+ hours per week), not earning more than £77 per week after deduction of certain allowances (occupational pension not counted as earnings). Not payable if another National Insurance benefit (e.g. state pension) exceeds the Carers Allowance.
Disability living allowance care component ages 0 - 65
Severe disability (physical/mental) and needs (not necessarily
getting) another person to help with bodily functions or supervision to avoid
serious risk to self or others or unable to prepare main meal. Conditions to be
met for 3 months and expected to continue for further 6 months unless terminally
ill (DS1500)
Weekly higher £57.20 middle £38.30 lower £15.15
Disability living allowance mobility component ages 3 (or 5) - 65
Severe disability unable or virtually unable to walk due to
physical problem (higher rate) or can walk but needs supervision (lower rate).
Conditions to be met for 3 months and expected to continue for further 6 months
unless terminally ill (DS1500)
Weekly higher £39.95 lower £15.15
Blue badge eligibility (over 65s need claim form supported by their doctor),
motability eligibility and exemption form road tax claimable.
Incapacity benefit ages 16 - 60 (or 65)
Initially evidence of incapacity for your regular occupation
or usual type of work but later must be incapable for all work as decided by
personal capability assessment carried out by Benefit Agency doctors. Rules from
April 2002 allow some permitted work.
Weekly short term lower rate £54.40 higher rate £64.35 long term £72.15.
Income support for ages over 18
Person (partner) not working 16 hours per week, savings less
than £8000. Different rules apply whilst pregnant (starts age 16) and for 7 weeks after the baby is born.
Income support is allowances plus premiums e.g. disability premium
£23.30 and severe disability premium £42.95.
May be eligible for council tax rebate, prescription charge and other health
benefits, social fund payments/grants/loans, free school meals, cold weather
payments etc
Working tax credit for over 16s
Work at least 16 hours per week and responsible for a child or
are disabled. Aged over 25, no children, work over 30 hours per week. Earnings
related.
Child tax credit for those over 16 responsible for a child
Responsible for at least one child. Earnings related. Premiums
for baby under 1 year and disabled children.
Severe disablement allowance, Industrial injuries disablement benefit, Statutory sick pay, Statutory maternity pay, Maternity allowance, Sure start maternity grant, and Jobseekers allowance - contribution based & income based
These are some of the other benefits available. See http://www.dwp.gov.uk/index.asp
Help with NHS costs
See NHS Charges - help with costs
The Minster Practice, Lichfield
