Advocacy Service

Independent Living fund

The Independent Living Fund (ILF), was set up by central government and is designed to help individuals who have a disability, to purchase the support they need to live independently at home.

ILF enquiry line: 0845 6018815

Direct Payments or Self Directed Support

Direct Payments or Self Directed Support, are payments made by local councils for people who have been assessed as needing help from Social Services but wish to choose and arrange their own care and support giving them more options and freedom of choice.

For more information regarding Direct Payments and SDS go to www.direct.gov.uk

NHS Continuing Health Care

Continuing Health Care is for those with complex care needs caused by a chronic medical condition, a disability, or receiving post-hospital treatment, all of which require substantial and on-going care. Continuing Health Care is a package of care funded by the NHS and runs as a continuum of nursing care provision, sometimes supported by some elements of homecare, for the duration of time required. Continuing Health Care can be delivered while you remain in your own home.

Telephone NHS direct on 0845 4647, visit www.nhs.uk or you can contact your local patient advise and liaison service ‘PALS’

Attendance Allowance

This is a tax-free benefit that you may be eligible for if you are aged 65 or over? This benefit is given to those who require help with personal care, because they have either a physical or mental disability and are in need of support.

Telephone Benefit enquiry line on: 0800 882200 or www.direct.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance, also known as (DLA), is a tax free benefit for eligible adults who need assistance with their personal care or have difficulties with walking and getting around due to physical or mental disabilities.

Incapacity Benefit

If you are unable to work because of your disability, or perhaps you are suffering from an illness, then you may be entitled to Incapacity Benefit. This is a weekly payment for people under the state pension age. However, there have been some changes regarding this benefit and for new qualifying applicants they will receive ‘Employment and Support Allowance’. However, if you already receive Incapacity Benefit there will be no changes and it will remain the same.

Community Care Grants

If you need financial support to live independently in the community or to help release the pressure on you and your family members, you may be entitled to receive a ‘Community Care Grant’, which you do not have to pay back.

Disabled Facility Grants

This is a grant (to those who may be eligible), that local councils award so you may adapt your home to enable you to continue living there.

For more information regarding the above benefits, visit www.direct.gov.uk

Carers Allowance

This is a taxable benefit that helps people look after someone who has an illness or disability. What’s more, the person doesn’t necessarily have to be living with you for you to become eligible to receive Carers Allowance.

The qualifying factors are:

• You need to be over the age of 16
• Care for someone for 35 hours a week or more
• The person you care for has to be in receipt of either, Attendance Allowance
or Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or higher rate)
• Or alternatively, the person who is in need of your care needs to be receiving
Constant Attendance Allowance at a specified rate for you to qualify.

You can claim online by visiting www.nidirect.gov.uk,or phone the enquiry line on 0800 220074

Blue Badge Parking Scheme

If you have a severe mobility problem, are registered blind, receive the higher rate of mobility component of your Disability Living Allowance, or are in receipt of the War Pensions Mobility Supplement, you may be entitled to free parking under the Blue Badge Parking Scheme.

You will need to contact your local county council for advice on how to proceed with your application. The scheme cost £2.00 and lasts for three years.

Basingstoke Council office enquiry line: 01256 8844 844

Disabled Student’s Allowances

Is an allowance that provides extra financial support for students that have a disability or a specific learning difficulty.

Disabled Student’s Allowances can help with;
• Specialised computer equipment,
• Braille paper and tapes
• Non-medical assistance to take notes on your behalf
• Extra travel costs if needed.

The amount you are eligible for depends on what kind of benefits you are already receiving and your household income. However, the one advantage of this benefit is that (if you are eligible), you don’t have to pay it back.

If you would like to learn more about Disabled Student’s Allowances visit www.direct.gov.uk or telephone Student Finance England on: 0845 3000 5090 or minicom: 0845 604 4434 (you must have access to minicom device in order to use facility)

Free Cinema for Carers

Carers who look after a disable person may be entitled to go to the cinema free of charge. The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association card (CEA) is a national scheme, however, not all cinemas subscribe. To qualify for the card the person you care for must be receiving:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Registered blind
• Hold a disabled persons rail card

Applications forms are available from cinemas that take part in the scheme, (there is an initial charge for £5 for processing the claim)

For more information visit www.ceacard.co.uk or by calling: 0845 1231295

Disabled Person Rail Card

If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard. The Railcard allows you to get a 1/3 off most rail fares throughout Great Britain. If you're travelling with an adult companion or carer, they too can receive the same discount - so you can save money for your friends too!

How much is it?
(£18 for a one year Railcard) – (£48 for a three year Railcard)

Who is eligible!
You need to be in receipt of a disability related benefit, have a medical condition supported by a doctors letter, be registered of having a blind or deaf impairment.

For more information and to receive help with your application, visit www.disabledperson-railcard.co.uk or Telephone: 0845 605 0525

The Green Gym

‘Green Gym’ operates throughout England and is run by an organisation known as the BTCV. They are designed to help people of all ages to be physically active, give individuals an opportunity to work as a team and to learn about our natural environment. Regular programs of outdoor sessions and Green Gym activities, are designed for you to work at your own pace and ability.

Activities may include:

• Creating wildlife areas and community areas
• Restoring footpaths
• Beach and dune management
• Managing and maintaining woodlands

Membership for ‘Green Gym’ is free.

For more information visit www.btcv.org.uk or email: information@btcv.org.uk to see if there’s a Green Gym in your area