Financial help
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
If your child needs more help or supervision than other children the same age, with care and mobility issues, you can claim this!
There are 3 levels of CARE: | Low rate = basic care needs Middle rate = care needs and help throughout the day High rate = care needs and help day and night |
There a 2 levels of MOBILITY: | Low rate = need for more supervision than those of peers. For those age 5yrs+ High rate = From age 3yrs if there is a physical disability meaning the child is “virtually unable to walk”. It is possible to receive this rate for children over 5yrs if there is severe mental impairment especially with physical symptoms from a physical cause or behavioural conditions, such as refusal to walk |
** Remember to keep a copy of the form - in case it gets lost in the post & for renewal time!**
DLA helpline: 0845 712 3546 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
Alternatively ring the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 who will send you a dated claim pack.
If your child receives DLA your family may be able to access other benefits. It can also give you a carer’s and a disability “premium” when claiming other benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Child Tax Credit. Go to www.entitledto.co.uk to see if you are claiming everything you should be.
There are several useful guides available - these are just some of them:
Cerebra guide NAS guide AS Teens guide
If you are awarded a lower rate than you feel you are entitled to, call the number on the letter and ask for a reconsideration (another person looking at the form and seeing if they agree with the award). If you are still not satisfied with the decision, then follow the appeals procedure.
Carers Allowance (CA)
This is a benefit that is paid to a parent or carer of a disabled child or adult, al long as you are the main carer for at least 35 hours a week. There are eligibility restrictions on hours and earnings (currently £95, but this figure is updated annually) if you are in paid employment. CA is taxable and counts as income for Income Support calculations. It also provides Class 1 National Insurance credits which will improve your state retirement pension.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/ 0800 88 22 00 for a form and advice on how to fill it in.
Income Support: Carer & Disabled Child Premiums
If you are aged between 16 and 60, on a low income, not working or working on average less than 16 hours a week you may be able to claim Income Support. If you're also entitled to Carer's Allowance, you may be able to get an extra amount included in your Income Support.
0800 055 6688 http://www.direct.gov.uk/
Tax credits
Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits you can claim depends on the amount you currently earn and earned the previous year. For more information on both Tax credits including rules and application forms, contact Inland Revenue Helpline.
0845 300 3900 www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits
Being an Appointee
Once your child reaches the age of 16, the various benefits will be given to them in their own right. This will mean they have the responsibility of filling in the forms and corresponding with the Benefits Agency. Should your child not be able to do this at 16, you can continue to take on the responsibility of acting on their behalf. This is what is meant by being an appointee: Contact your local Benefits Agency about this role.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
CAB can help with claiming disability benefits, but it’s usually recommended to make an appointment in advance.
Farnborough: 0845 1203752 Fleet: 01252 617922 www.adviceguide.org.uk
Cerebra
Can offer grants for specialist equipment (for example, bikes, computers, sensory toys, holidays etc.) for any child with a brain related condition. See the previous section for their contact details.
0800 328 1159 info@cerebra.org.uk www.cerebra.org.uk
Community Care Grants
If you're getting Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit and you need financial help to ease exceptional pressure on your family, you may be able to get a Community Care Grant. You could be eligible if someone in your family has a long-term illness or if you're caring for someone who is ill or disabled. For more information ask at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Disabled Facilities Grant
This is a grant designed to help meet costs of adaptations to property for the needs of the disabled person. It is NOT means-tested. You must agree to stay in the property for the following 5 years. The maximum grant is £25,000 (though some councils will also add a top up of £5,000). The first step in applying for a grant is to organise an Occupational Therapy Assessment. Occupational Therapists work for Hampshire County Council. Assessments can be booked by calling Social Services Direct on 0845 6004555.
Family Fund Grants
The Family Fund provides grants to families with disabled children. The Fund will consider any request on its merits but does have specific criteria about claiming. Several people have successfully applied for help with the costs of driving lessons, holidays, a new washing machine or tumble dryer and various other things!
0845 130 4542 info@familyfund.org.uk www.familyfund.org.uk
Fleet Lions
No guarantees here, but they have been very helpful to parents in the past by supplying important pieces of equipment (such as Maclaren Major buggies!) to children who don't qualify for one via the NHS.
www.fleetlions.org.uk
KidsOut
This is a fantastic charity who fund all sorts of fun activities and days out (if your child meets their criteria.) Anyone who has a child who goes on the annual KidsOut day with school will know how much fun they can organise! As KidsOut is all about 'fun', their grants help with the provision of new toys and special play equipment, as well as fun days out, holidays and activities for individuals and families.
01525 385252 kidsout@kidsout.org.uk www.kidsout.org.uk
Mencap’s Wills and Trusts Service
Mencap provide various free services, including a 2 hour seminar called “planning for the future” and advice about how best to make a will and set up a trust.
020 76966925 willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk www.mencap.org.uk/willsandtrusts
See the "Out & About" section for more useful things to know about blue badges, free road tax etc.
