Money Matters
STATE BENEFITS
Caring for someone at home often causes financial problems, particularly when the care continues over a long period of time. There are several state benefits to which you and the person you care for may be entitled, as well as money to help with special equipment, relief care or holidays.
Sometimes people don't like asking for benefits thinking that it is like asking for charity, but the Department of Social Security Benefits Agency is there to help everyone claim the money they are entitled to have. There is a free phone-line for people with disabilities where you can get advice about the benefits available. Derbyshire County Council have a Welfare Rights Service which will help you with information about benefits and will give you help with making your claim.
The following are the benefits which are most often claimed when someone is caring for a disabled or elderly person, although there are others which may help.
BENEFITS PAID TO CARERS
Invalid Care Allowance - This is a benefit paid to Carers who are over 16 but under 65 and who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives the middle or higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance Care Component, Attendance Allowance, or other qualifying benefit. To qualify you must not be earning over £50 after allowable deductions and must not be in full time education.
BENEFIT PAID TO THE PERSON BEING CARED FOR
Disability Living Allowance (Mobility) - This allowance needs to be claimed before the age of 65. It is for people who cannot walk or who have difficulty, ill walking. The allowance can be used to lease or buy a car, purchase a wheelchair or to assist with transport costs.
Disability Living Allowance (Care) - This is a benefit for people under the age of 65 who need help with personal care, or who have difficulty walking or getting around. To qualify they must have needed help for at least 3 months.
Attendance Allowance - This is an allowance for people over the age of 65 who become either mentally, or physically, disabled and need a lot of looking after.
Income Support - This is paid to top up other benefits, or earnings from part time work, or to provide a basic income if you have no oilier money coming in. If you get Income Support it is normal that you ivill get all of your rent and council tax paid. You may also be entitled to other types of help such as free prescriptions and dental treatment.
War Pensions - The War Pensions Agency administers payments to individuals who are disabled or ill as a result of service in the armed forces. They also administer pensions to war widows. If you or someone you know may be eligible a hotline number 01253 858858 is available Monday to Friday 8.15 to 4.30pm. The Agency, also employ their own welfare workers who will visit and discuss your needs and help you to fill in any necessary claim forms. Another useful contact is the War Widows Association of Great Britain, 1 Coach Road, Stanton in The Peak, Matlock, Derbys.
Taking responsibility for those whom you Care for
Many Carers face the situation at some stage when the person they care for is no longer capable of looking after their own affairs. You can always assist the person you care for to claim for benefit, or if they are unable to deal with their own affairs you can in some circumstances receive the benefits for them. Managing other aspects of their affairs can be more complex, especially if plans have not been made in advance. They can nominate you as their appointee or give you Power of Attorney, or if they are no longer capable of doing this it may be possible to apply to the Court of Protection on their behalf, but this can be expensive.
Local Benefits Helplines
CHESTERFIELD - 01246 550076
RIPLEY - 01773 570772 or 570872
Lines are open Monday - Friday, 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
POWER OF ATTORNEY
This is when someone legally gives another person the right and responsibility to manage their affairs. It must be done whilst the person granting the right is mentally capable of managing for themselves.
Financial and legal advice can be obtained free of charge from your local Citizen's Advice Bureau or Law Centre, or you could consult various other professionals. Some Solicitors will have prepared information leaflets on obtaining Power of Attorney. Age Concern Derbyshire also have information sheets explaining this and sheets addressing other financial concerns.
It is very important to plan ahead. Once the person you care for becomes incapable of managing their own affairs you the Carer may face financial and legal problems.
