Benefits Fact Sheet

Benefits fact sheet

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia can strike unexpectedly and may turn your world upside down. As a result your family circumstance may change. This factsheet provides information about statutory benefits and other sources of help or information which may be available to you.

The benefits system is very complex and changes are on-going. We suggest that you seek benefits advice from one of expert organisations mentioned in this fact sheet.

To find out more information about possible benefits you may be eligible for, the following websites can be a great start:

Benefits advice Benefits advice Northern Ireland www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/benefits-adviser

Benefits for changes to income and employment

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) You can get SSP if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. For more information ask your employer about the SSP scheme or visit www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

Fit Notes (or sick notes) You have to give your employer a doctor’s fit note if you miss more than 7 days of work. If you don’t qualify for SSP, your employer must give you form SSP1 within 7 days of your illness. You can use this to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) instead

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) You can apply for ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed and your ability to work is limited by illness or disability ESA offers: • Financial support if you are unable to work • Personalised help so that you can work if you’re able to

Further information: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance Telephone: 0800 055 6688 / Textphone: 0800 023 4888 Welsh language telephone: 0800 012 1888

Universal Credit Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit that will replace 6 existing benefits with a simpler, single monthly payment if you’re out of work or on a low income. Universal Credit will eventually replace: • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Income Support • Working Tax Credit • Child Tax Credit • Housing Benefit

Universal credit is being introduced in stages. Whether you can claim depends on where you live and your personal circumstances.

Further information: www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Meningitis Helpline saving lives, 0808 80 10 388 (UK) rebuilding futures www.MeningitisNow.org Housing Benefit If you are unemployed, on a low income, and need financial help; Housing Benefit can pay for part or all of your rent. This will eventually be replaced by Universal Credit.

You may also be able to get extra help from your local council called a ‘discretionary housing payment’ if your Housing Benefit doesn’t cover your rent.

Further information: www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/what-youll-get

Benefits for ill health or disability

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Tax-free benefit for children (under 16 yrs) who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.

Further information: www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children Disability benefits helpline: 0345 712 3456/ Textphone: 0345 722 4433

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP replaces Disability Living Allowance for those aged between 16-64yrs. PIP helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or disability. How much you get is not based on your condition, but how your condition affects you. You will need an assessment to work out the level of help you get. Your award will be regularly reassessed to make sure you’re getting the right support.

Further information: www.gov.uk/pip PIP Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip Disability Rights UK have a free guild to making a PIP claim: www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Carer’s Allowance This benefit is awarded to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.You need to be aged 16 or over (not available if over 65 when applying), and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Further information: www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/money-matters/carers-allowance

Attendance Allowance A tax-free benefit you may get if you’re aged 65 or over and need help with personal care because you’re physically or mentally disabled.

Further information: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance Telephone: 0345 605 6055 / Textphone: 0345 604 5312

Needs Assessment A health and social care assessment carried out by social services to find out what help and support you need - like healthcare, equipment, help in your home.

Further information: www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services (England and Wales) Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk/health-and-social-care-assessments Scotland: www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/how-to-get-care-services/assessment-of-your-care-needs

If you do not have internet access, contact your local council. Direct Payments Direct payments can be made to you or the person you’re looking after so that you can buy care services. By giving you money instead of social care services, you can make your own decisions about how your care is provided. The decision to award direct payments takes place after an assessment by social services.

Further information: www.gov.uk/apply-direct-payments

Disabled Facilities Grants Grants provided by your local council to help with home adaptations if you or your child is disabled. Examples include widening doors, installing ramps, stairlifts, downstairs bathroom or providing a heating system suitable for your needs.

Disability Facilities Grants are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish residents should contact the social services department of their local council for information on any available grants.

Further information: www.gov.uk/apply-disabled-facilities-grant

Disabled Students’ Allowances As a higher education student you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. DSA can help with extra costs such as specialist equipment , non-medical help e.g. note taker or reader, travel and other course related costs.

Further information: England: www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk/ Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/ Northern Ireland: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/disabled-students-allowances

Vehicles and transport

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme You may be able to get financial help from the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you’re on benefits or a low income and need NHS treatment at a hospital, other NHS centre or private clinic and have been referred by an NHS hospital consultant, doctor or dentist.

Further information: www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.aspx

Blue badge scheme The Blue Badge scheme is a national scheme designed to give people who are registered severely sight impaired and who are unable or virtually unable to walk the ability to park close to the facilities and services they need to use.

Further information: www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge Community and public transport Your local council may operate dial-a-ride or taxi schemes, for example, using vouchers or tokens. You may also be eligible for a bus pass and/or Disabled Persons Railcard. Contact your local council to find out which schemes operate in your area.

Motability Scheme The Motability Scheme helps disabled people get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair. To be eligible to join the Scheme, you need to receive one of the following mobility allowances: Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Further information: www.motability.org.uk Telephone: 0300 456 4566

Benefits following a death

Bereavement Payment: If your husband, wife or civil partner has died you may be able to get a one-off, tax-free, lump-sum payment dependent on their National Insurance Contributions. One of the following much also apply: • You were under State Pension age when they died • Your spouse or civil partner was not entitled to a State Pension when they died

Further information: www.gov.uk/bereavement-payment Telephone: 0345 606 0265 / Textphone: 0345 606 0285

Bereavement Allowance: You might be able to claim this if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner between 45 and State Pension age. It is paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner. The amount you may get depends on your partner or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions and your age at the time of his or her death.

Further information: www.gov.uk/bereavement-allowance Telephone: 0345 606 0265 / Textphone: 0345 606 0285

Funeral Expenses: You may be able to get a Funeral Payment if you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging. To get a Funeral Payment you must be responsible for the funeral and: • claim in time - from the date of death and up to three months after the date of the funeral • get certain benefits or tax credits • meet the rules on your relationship with the deceased

Further information: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments Telephone: 0345 606 0265 / Textphone: 0345 606 0285

If you aren’t eligible for a Funeral Payment, we may be able to contribute towards the cost of a funeral. Contact our helpline for more information on 0808 80 10 388 or email [email protected] Helpful organisations:

Citizens Advice Bureau Offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice, helping to resolve problems with various issues, and is available to all.

Further information: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Telephone: England: 03444 111 444 Wales: 03444 77 20 20 Scotland: 0808 800 9060 N.Ireland: 028 9023 1120

Contact a Family Contact a Family is a national charity for families with disabled children offering information, support and advice (including benefits information).

Further information: www.cafamily.org.uk Telephone: 0808 808 3555

Disability Rights UK Information, products and services developed by and for disabled people. Further information: www.disabilityrightsuk.org Telephone: 020 7250 8181

Family Fund A registered charity, providing grants for disabled and severely ill children and young people under 17 years. The fund can help with essential items such as washing machines, fridges and clothing and can consider grants for sensory toys, computers and family breaks. Application criteria apply. Further information: www.familyfund.org.uk Telephone: 01904 621115

Turn2us A national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. Further information: www.turn2us.org.uk

Work and Benefits Lots of really helpful information about applying (and appealing) for work related benefits (PIP, ESA, DLA) and how to avoid the pitfalls. Further information: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Meningitis Now has access to the members only information on this website – for information please contact our helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or email [email protected] Meningitis Now is the UK’s largest meningitis charity and is here to help you, when you need us and for as long as you need us. We are saving lives and rebuilding futures through awareness, research and support.

We offer on-going support for all those living with the impact of the disease. We support individuals, and their families, including those who have been bereaved, helping to rebuild lives after meningitis and septicaemia.

We can:

• Listen; and answer your questions about meningitis and septicaemia • Talk to you about your individual experience and how we can tailor our help to you • Provide support locally to you • Put you in touch with others who have been through it too • Support you and those closest to you; children, teenagers and adults

If you have any questions, or are interested in finding out how we can help, please get in touch.

Meningitis Helpline: 0808 80 10 388 (UK)

Email: [email protected]

We are proud of the work we do, but we can’t do it alone. We rely on voluntary donations and need help from people like you. Every penny, pound, hour and day given makes a big difference. Find out how you can help www.MeningitisNow.org

Meningitis Now Fern House • Bath Road Stroud • Gloucestershire • GL5 3TJ Tel: 01453 768000 • Fax: 01453 768001 Meningitis Helpline [email protected] 0808 80 10 388 (UK) References for the content of this fact sheet are available on our website.