Infosheet. Managing your finances (benefits) What benefits may I be entitled to?

Transcription

1 Infosheet Managing your finances (benefits) This Infosheet provides information on the main benefits and allowances that may be available to you if you are a myeloma patient or a carer of someone with myeloma. In general, the benefits system is the same across the UK so unless otherwise specified, the information below applies in all four UK countries. For more information about other financial issues that may be affecting you, see the Managing your Finances (General) Infosheet from Myeloma UK. To order your free copy call our Myeloma Infoline on or from Ireland. This information is also available on our website at Details about how to apply for the benefits below can be obtained from the organisations listed at the end of this Infosheet. What benefits may I be entitled to? Until the beginning of April 2013, there were various different benefits and tax credits that you may have been entitled to as a myeloma patient or a carer of someone with myeloma. These included: Disability Living Allowance, if you have care needs or problems with getting around Employment and Support Allowance, if you are unable to work because of sickness or disability Myeloma UK Broughton House 31 Dunedin Street Edinburgh EH7 4JG Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Myeloma Infoline or from Ireland Myeloma Awareness Week June Working Tax Credit, if you work at least 16 hours a week and are on a low income Carer s Allowance, if you care for someone with myeloma Other benefits such as Income Support or Housing Benefit if you are on a low income As of April 2013, however, the UK Government started to make the biggest changes to the welfare benefit system for decades. Many existing benefits are being abolished and replaced by a new benefits system. If you are a new claimant, the new system will apply to you. An overview of the new system is found below. Charity No. SC

2 Welfare benefit system what s changing? Personal Independence Payments will replace Disability Living Allowance The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be paid to you if you re very ill or disabled and have trouble getting around or need help with day-to-day living. It will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). PIP will be paid to people aged between 16 and 64. If you re already getting DLA, your claim won t automatically be transferred to PIP you ll have to make a new claim. However, you don't need to do anything about transferring your claim until the Department for Work and Pensions (or Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish equivalent) contacts you. April 2013 PIP pilot schemes start in some areas of England June 2013 New claims for PIP will start in the rest of the UK October 2013 Some people getting DLA will have to make a new claim for PIP, for example if their condition changes or their DLA is due to come to an end October 2015 The Department for Work and Pensions (or Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish equivalent) will start contacting anyone still getting DLA and invite them to make a new claim for PIP. If you don t claim or if your claim is unsuccessful, your DLA will stop Universal Credit will replace many existing benefits Universal Credit (UC) is a single means-tested benefit which will be paid to people of working age. It will replace most means-tested benefits including: Income-based Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Housing Benefit Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit April 2013 Universal Credit pilot scheme started in the North of England October 2013 Universal Credit will start to be introduced gradually for new claims throughout the rest of the UK, apart from Northern Ireland (it is expected to be introduced to Northern Ireland in April 2014) If you re already getting benefits, you should be transferred to Universal Credit by Infosheet Managing your finances (Benefits) 2

3 Parts of the Social Fund to be abolished Currently, if you get certain benefits, you may be able to get a payment or loan from the Social Fund. These are meant to help towards the costs of unexpected or one-off expenses. As part of the welfare benefit reforms, parts of the Social Fund will be abolished, including Community Care grants and Crisis Loans. Money will be given instead to local authorities who may choose to spend on replacement schemes, but they won t have to. April 2013 Some parts of the Social Fund will be abolished October 2013 Some parts, such as funeral or maternity expenses and fuel costs, will be added to Universal Credit payments What other benefits may I be entitled to? The new system does not replace all existing benefits. Other benefits you may be entitled to claim include: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) If you are employed, earn at least 109 a week and are unable to work because of ill health or disability then your employer should pay you SSP. SSP is paid at a fixed rate of a week. There is a standard rate of SSP and it is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. If you have contractual/occupational sick pay in the terms of your employment then you may be entitled to this as well as SSP. Attendance Allowance (AA) This allowance is paid to people over 65 years old and who have difficulty with personal care (e.g. washing, dressing, going to the toilet) and need help. AA does not cover mobility problems. This allowance is tax-free and not means-tested and has two different rates depending on how much help and supervision is required. Carer s Allowance If you are a carer and are caring for someone for at least 35 hours per week you may be entitled to Carer s Allowance. The person you care for must be receiving a disability benefit e.g. Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or highest rate of care) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Claiming Carer s Allowance may be affected if you claim other benefits, allowances or pensions. However, you are still encouraged to claim the allowance as you may still be eligible. Blue Badge scheme The Blue Badge scheme allows people with severe walking disabilities to park in parking-restricted areas. The Blue Badge enables badge holders to park close to where they need to go. The scheme operates throughout the UK; however, parking concessions may be different depending on where you live in UK. Contact your local authority to apply. Winter Fuel Payments If you are over the state pension age, you might also be able to get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay your gas and electricity bills during the winter months. This payment is paid directly into your bank account. Infosheet Managing your finances (Benefits) 3

4 Prescription charges Currently all prescriptions for cancer patients in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are free of charge. In England, prescriptions are free for cancer patients on the production of an exemption certificate. For more information see the Prescription charges Infosheet from Myeloma UK. To order your free copy call our Myeloma Infoline on or from Ireland. This information is also available on our website at Charitable grants There are some charities that may be able to provide discretional financial help depending on your individual circumstances. Leukaemia CARE can provide help towards utility bills, supermarket vouchers or petrol for travel to the hospital Macmillan Cancer Support can offer financial help. This should be applied for via a hospital social worker or healthcare professional Further information and useful organisations A social worker can provide information on any extra help that might be available they can also support you with the necessary forms or put you in touch with a local welfare rights officer who will also be able to help. You can ask to be referred to a social worker through your doctor or nurse. Details about the above benefits and how to apply for them can be obtained from the following organisations: Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) (Monday Friday, 8.30am 6.30pm; Saturday 9am 1pm) Offers information about benefits to people, and their carers, with an illness or disability. BEL can send out leaflets and claim packs. The enquiry line also provides assistance, over the phone, with filling out benefit application forms. Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) CAB offers free, independent and confidential advice about debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters and employment. Provides assistance with claiming welfare benefits, including practical help with filling out benefit application forms. Check your local telephone directory or the internet to find your nearest branch. Gov.uk A government website which provides information about a wide range of public services, including benefits. Help with Health Costs (NHS prescription charges) (NHS form line) Provides information about prescription charges and getting help with health costs. Leukaemia CARE (24-hour CARE line) Provides access to discretional financial help for myeloma patients. Infosheet Managing your finances (Benefits) 4

5 Macmillan Cancer Support (Monday Friday, 9am 6pm) Macmillan is campaigning to get a better financial deal for people coping with cancer. They have a number of campaigns to help raise awareness about help available and calls on government to consider the specific financial needs of cancer patients and make access to benefits easier. About this Infosheet The information in this Infosheet is not meant to replace the advice of your medical team. They are the people to ask if you have questions about your individual situation. All Myeloma UK publications are extensively reviewed by patients and healthcare professionals prior to publication. Other information available from Myeloma UK Myeloma UK has a range of Essential Guides, Infoguides and Infosheets available covering many areas of myeloma, its treatment and management. To order your free copies call our Myeloma Infoline on or from Ireland. This information is also available on our website at To talk to one of our Myeloma Information Specialists about any aspect of myeloma, call the Myeloma Infoline on or from Ireland. The Myeloma Infoline is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and is free to phone from anywhere in the UK and Ireland. From outside the UK and Ireland, call +44 (0) (charged at normal rate). Information and support about myeloma is also available around the clock at Author: Jude Leitch, Patient Information Specialist Issue date: May 2013 Infosheet Managing your finances (Benefits) 5