Finances and Benefits

Below are descriptions of benefits that you, your partner, carer or parent/s may be able to claim. This is not an exhaustive list and eligibility is dependent upon individual circumstances. Speak to your Young Lives vs Cancer social worker or a welfare rights advisor to get tailored support and guidance on which benefits you would be entitled to make a claim for.

Personal Independence Payment

Need to be between 16 years old and state pension age

Have a health condition/disability in which you have had extra support needs with daily living tasks and/or mobility for a least 3 months and that you expect to continue for at least a further 9 months

You need to have been resident in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years

To start a claim you need to call 0800 917 2222 and have with you your national insurance number; personal contact number; name address and contact details of a medical professional that best knows your diagnosis, treatment plan and support needs; bank details and dates of any stays in hospital

A form called ‘how your disability affects you’ will then be posted to you to complete

Once returned, the information on the form will be assessed and if further facts/evidence is needed you may be contacted by a health professional for a face to face or telephone discussion

For further information on the claim process, eligibility etc. visit www.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Need to be under 16 years of age and have extra support needs/difficulties with walking than a child of the same age that does not have a health condition or disability

The extra support needs should have been present for at least 3 months and expected to last at least a further 6 months

The benefit assesses care needs and mobility. An award can just be made for one of these or both although a child under 3 is not eligible for the mobility component of the benefit

The child needs to have been resident in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years for a parent to claim (there are other rules for a child under the age of 3 – please refer to the GOV.uk website)

To claim an application form can either be downloaded and printed off or a parent/carer can call the Disability Living Allowance Helpline to ask for a form to be posted – the number is 0800 121 4600

For further information on the claim process, eligibility etc. visit www.gov.uk

Carers Allowance

To be eligible to claim Carers Allowance the person you care for must be in receipt of either Personal Independence Payment (daily living component) or Disability Living Allowance care component at either the middle or high award rate

You need to be providing at least 35 hours of extra care/support each week, not be studying for over 21 hours per week and not be receiving a wage of more than £128 per week. You must also have been resident in the UK for 2 out of the last 3 years

This is a taxable benefit so could impact on other benefits

To claim you can either complete a form online at www.gov.uk or print off a form to post

Carer’s Credit

This is a National Insurance Credit that ensures that national insurance contributions are kept up to date whilst you are unable to work due to caring responsibilities (but aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance)

To be eligible for Carer’s Credit you must not be in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, be over 16 but not yet receiving state pension, be caring for someone at least 20 hours per week and that person be in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (daily living component) or Disability Living Allowance (Care component at either middle or high rate)

There is no need to claim if your child is under the age of 12 and you are in receipt of child benefit as this will automatically be credited for you

To claim you can either download and print the form off from www.gov.uk or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297

Carer’s Premium

This is an extra payment you may get if you are caring for someone and eligible for (but not necessarily in receipt of) Carer’s Allowance alongside certain other benefits including income support, housing benefit and Universal Credit

To claim or find out if you are eligible speak to your local Job Centre plus

New Style ESA

To be eligible for this you need to have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work

You must have been employed or self-employed for at least two years and have made national insurance contributions for 2 out of the past 3 years

This is a taxable benefit that can either be paid on its own or alongside Universal Credit (depending on savings)

You can apply for this benefit online. Go to www.gov.uk

Universal Credit

To be eligible you need to be on a low income or not in work/unable to work; be 18 or over (although some exceptions for 16 and 17 year olds); have savings of under £16,000

Support towards rental costs can be awarded – this is paid direct to you through the benefit for you to then pay your landlord (please note this is different to the previous housing benefit which paid the support directly to a landlord)

This benefit is paid in arrears so can take up to 5 weeks from claiming to receive the first payment

An application for this benefit is made online. First an online account is set up and then your identity will be verified (again online). Once you have an account contact with the DWP/Job Centre is via the ‘journal’ section on the account

This benefit has taken over from many of what are now called legacy benefits (see below) so payments that are awarded are variable depending on personal circumstances including health conditions

For further information on this benefit and how to apply visit GOV.uk

Council Tax Reduction/Support

This has now replaced Council tax benefit and is managed by local councils

To find out if you are eligible and to apply visit GOV.uk, type in your postcode and you will then be directed to the correct council managing this benefit for your area

Local welfare assistance

These are schemes run by local councils and can provide urgent support following an emergency or change of circumstances

Provision varies between councils so check your local council for details and eligibility

Legacy Benefits

These are benefits that have been replaced by Universal Credit and include:-

§ child tax credits

§ housing benefit

§ income related employment and support allowance

§ income based job seekers allowance

§ income support

§ working tax credits

If already in receipt of any of these benefits then it is possible to remain on them for now, although there is a gradual move to change all claimants on to universal credit

If individual/family circumstances change a claim will be moved over to universal credit unless in receipt of a severe disability premium. In this case a claimant can remain on a legacy benefit despite a change of circumstances

Other source of financial support

These are other options that may also be available depending on individual circumstances

§ Disabled students allowance

§ Budgeting loans

§ Funeral payments

§ Short term benefit advances

§ Sure start maternity grant

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme.

You may be eligible for help towards the cost of travelling to any NHS appointments. For more information and eligibility see https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

Help with prescription costs.

Depending upon receiving certain benefits, income, age and individual circumstances you may be able for free prescriptions. To check eligibility see https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/get-help-with-prescription-costs/

Further information and advice