Every Pound Counts - Ill or disabled people
Do you experience long term ill health or a disability? Are you, or is someone you know caring for someone who has support needs? If so you may be missing out on claiming benefits you are entitled to.
For example, you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), a tax-free benefit which can be worth more than £5,000 a year. It is paid to help meet the extra cost of living with a disability or ill-health.
Disability Living Allowance is a benefit for people who have long term health problems or have a disability and who need care or supervision, or who have difficulties walking. This includes people who unable to prepare a cooked meal or who need someone with them when they travel to unfamiliar places because of their health problems or disability.
To find out more, contact the Every Pound Counts service. We will tell you how much extra money you may be able to claim and help you to complete the application form and explain whether you can claim any other benefits.
If you already receive Disability Living Allowance, we will tell you if you can claim a higher rate or any other benefits.
What about other benefits?
No benefit or tax credit you are getting will go down because you get DLA, in fact they may go up.
In fact if you get DLA other benefits you receive (such as Income Support, Tax Credits, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) may increase. If you do not already receive these benefits, you may become entitled to claim because DLA has been awarded.
If you have a carer, they may also be able to get other benefits such as Carer's Allowance.
Benefits paid because if your ability to work is limited
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
You may be entitled to claim Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent and/or Council Tax Benefit to help you pay your council tax. These benefits can be paid to people on low income and people with modest incomes who have made savings for their retirement. For more information on these benefits see:
Employment Support Allowance
The Employment Support Allowance is a new benefit for people living with illness or disability. It will provide a new way of helping people move into work if they are able. Claimants will have access to a special advisor, who will offer them personalised support and services, including training opportunities, employment and condition management. On October 27 2008, the Employment Support Allowance replaced Income Support and Incapacity Benefit. If you already claim Income Support and Incapacity Benefit, you will still receive them, as long as you continue to meet the entitlement conditions.
Contact us now for free advice
The Council is offering full benefit checks for all ill and disabled people living in Lambeth.
Contact Every Pound Counts to talk to an experienced benefits adviser or make an appointment to receive face to face advice about DLA and other benefits you may be able to claim.
- By phone and textphone
Every Pound Counts can be contacted by phone and textphone on 020 7926 5555 Mondays - Fridays 9am - 5pm
- By email
For advice on tax credits, pensions, housing benefits and Council Tax and other benefits, you can email us at: everypoundcounts@lambeth.gov.uk.
When you email us please tell us as much as possible about your benefit query and where possible provide a contact number we can call you.
- In person
We are happy to arrange face-to-face appointments.