How to navigate financial benefits David Gibb Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Benefits Partnership 9 September 2017 1
Just imagine... You get told today You are no longer able to work full time You will not be able to prepare your own meals You will not be able to get washed and dressed without getting fatigued You can no longer walk more than 50 metres without being in severe discomfort 2
On top of that... You will no longer be able to drive so will rely on taxis to get to hospital and GP appointments Your fatigue will mean that you spend a lot more time at home. Because you are inactive you will feel the cold so will have the heating on most of the time 3
One last thing... You will be at least 420 per month worse off than you currently are 4
It will never happen to me 50% of adults live with at least one long term health condition Scottish Health Survey 2015 5
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Established in 2009 Initial 3 year funding from Macmillan Cancer Support From October 2012 jointly funded with CEC From July 2016 additional funding from Big Lottery Fund 6
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Service is for people affected by cancer - those with the condition as well as family members, carers etc Expanded to people with other long term health conditions such as strokes, heart conditions and MS 7
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Income maximisation Assistance with benefit claims Challenging decisions Appeals representation Macmillan Grants, Travel concessions Housing Advice Money and Debt Advice 8
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Delivery methods Phone E-mail Face to face Home visits External surgeries 9
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Links with heart failure nurses at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Referral process agreed Educating each other you are the health experts, we are the benefit experts Patients at the centre 10
Some of the benefits that are available Statutory Sick Pay Employment and Support Allowance Working Tax Credit Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance Housing Benefit Carers Allowance 11
Statutory Sick pay Paid by employer Up to 28 weeks Must be earning at least 113 pw Not applicable to self employed Must be incapable of work for 4 days or more Periods are linked if break of less than 8 weeks 12
Employment and Support Allowance Contributory and/or Income Related Contributory linked to National Insurance Contributions some awards limited to 12 months. Income Related means tested Assessment Phase Work Capability Assessment Work Related Activity Group Support Group 13
Employment and Support Allowance Do you qualify? Limited capability for work Aged 16 or over Under state pension age Be in Great Britain Not be in work Not entitled to Income Support Not entitled to JSA (or part of a joint claim) Not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay 14
Universal Credit Replaces: Child tax credit Housing benefit Income related JSA Income related ESA Income support Working tax credit 15
Universal Credit roll out Gateway areas New claims for people fit for work Single people Also couples and families in some areas Full service areas All new claims Planned implementation September 2018 all new claims March 2022 transfer all existing claims 16
Personal Independence Payment Replaced Disability Living Allowance for new claims DLA still for under 16, and 65 or over at 8 April 2013 Attendance Allowance for new claims over 65 Not means tested Passport to other benefits Current DLA claims - take advice 17
Personal Independence Payment Qualifying conditions Age Residence How long your health condition or disability has affected your ability to live independently How long it's expected to last 18
Personal Independence Payment Claim by telephone Tel: 0800 917 2222 Textphone: 0800 917 7777 Claimant must make the call if not must be present to give consent Special Rules and DS1500 19
Personal Independence Payment PIP 2 claim will be posted out Return within 4 weeks of date of phone call Claim passed to health professional Assessment by health professional Report to DWP DWP makes decision 20
Personal Independence Payment Daily living component standard and enhanced Mobility component standard and enhanced Points system against descriptors 8 points for standard, 12 points for enhanced 21
Personal Independence Payment Must be able to carry out the descriptor reliably = Safely To acceptable standard Repeatedly Within a reasonable time period 22
Attendance Allowance Not means tested Tax free Aged 65 and over Qualifying period Residence Passport to other help 23
Attendance Allowance In need of care for 6 months before award can begin Do not need to be actually receiving care/getting help Two rates Lower and Higher (day and night) Need help with personal care or supervision to remain safe 24
Attendance Allowance Washing, bathing and looking after your appearance Going to the toilet Getting dressed or undressed Mealtimes Help with medical treatment Communicating Supervision Getting around safely 25
Claiming Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance Helpline 0345 605 6055 Textphone 0345 604 5312 Download application form https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ attendance-allowance-claim-form Special Rules and DS1500 26
Disability Living Allowance New claims aged under 16 only Currently getting DLA Invited to claim PIP when DLA award expires Change in circumstances = PIP claim Under 65 on 8 April 2013 will be invited to claim PIP by late 2017 If over 65 at this re-assessment and don t get PIP AA claim 27
Carer s Allowance Spend 35 hours per week caring Person who receives care must receive qualifying benefit: DLA care component (middle or high rate) Attendance Allowance (either rate) PIP daily living component (either rate) Certain other benefits 28
Carer s Allowance Carer: Must be aged 16 or over Must not be in full time education Must not earn more than 116 per week Must not be subject to immigration control 62.70 per week Taxable and counts as income for tax credits Impact on Severe Disability Premium so always take advice before claiming 29
Edinburgh Macmillan Welfare Rights Partnership Advice Shop 249 High Street Edinburgh EH1 1YJ 0131 529 5000 macmillan@edinburgh.gov.uk 30