Advice for Carers -
How Belfast Carers’ Centre can
help you
 Money Matters
Benefits
There are a number of benefits which you and the person
you care for may be entitled to. However, this section is
only a summary of these benefits and may not provide you
with all the information you require to clarify your entitlement
or situation. As the benefit system is so complex we recommend
that you seek more detailed information and advice. The
Carers’ Centre may be able to help you or you can
contact the Northern Ireland Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800
220 674, the office specifically designated to the particular
benefit (numbers given below) or one of the organizations
listed in the ‘Useful Links’
Section.
Carers’ Allowance
Carers Allowance is the main benefit for Carers. It is intended
to replace the income you might otherwise earn from a job
if you were not caring. Entitlement to it does not depend
on your record of paying National Insurance Contributions
and you do not have to live with the person you care for.
To qualify for Carers’ Allowance
you must:
- be
aged over 16 years of age
- care for the person for at least
35 hours per week;
- not be in full-time education, nor earning £87
per week from paid work;
- not be in receipt of an ‘overlapping’ benefit
- Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, State
retirement pension,
Widow’s pensions, contribution based
Job Seeker’s Allowance.
- the person you care for
must be receiving Disability Living Allowance Care Component
(Middle or Higher Rate),
Attendance
Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance.
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Please note that if you receive CA
then the person you care for cannot receive the Severe
Disability Premium. To
apply for CA fill in the claim form in pack DS700, which
you can get from Social Security Offices,
ourselves, post
offices and advice centres or the Benefits Enquiry Line 0800
22 06 74. You can also ring the Carers’ Allowance Branch
on 028 9033 6000. Again we strongly advise you to seek qualified
help in completing this or any other state benefit form.
Contact the Belfast Carers’ Centre on 9043 4700 for
details.
Disability Living Allowance - DLA
This benefit
is for children and adults up to the age of 65 years who
need help with personal care
and with getting
around because of an illness or disability. It is a tax-free
benefit and is not means tested which means that it doesn’t
affect other benefits. To qualify for DLA you must:
1 be under 65;
2 satisfy one or more of the care
or mobility conditions;
3 must have satisfied the conditions
for at least three months are be likely to satisfy them for
a
further six months.
There are two parts to DLA
- the care component;
- the mobility component.
Payments are made at different rates depending on the extent
of disability or help needed. Contact the Centre for the
most up to date value of the benefit.
The Care Component
The Care component is paid at one of three rates:
- Lower
rate
- Middle rate
- Higher rate
The rate paid depends on which parts of the
disability test the person satisfies. Contact the centre
for the most up to date figures with regard
to the value of each award.To be entitled to the Care Component
of DLA you must be aged under 65 and meet at least one of
the following criteria:
1 need help with bodily functions
such as washing, dressing, preparing for bed, moving about
at home or using a bath or
toilet;
2 need someone to keep an eye on
you to prevent you from coming to harm;
3 be terminally ill or receiving
dialysis;
4 be unable to prepare a meal unaided
(if aged over 16).
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The Mobility Component
The Mobility Component is available
to people over the age of 5 but under 65 and is paid at
one of two rates:
- Lower Rate
- Higher Rate
Contact the centre for the most up to date
figure for the value of each award. As with the care component,
the rate of mobility component
payable depends on which parts of the disability test the
person satisfies. To qualify for the Mobility Component the
person must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1 unable or virtually unable to
walk;
2 need guidance or supervision
when using an unfamiliar route;
3 be both blind and deaf and need
someone with them when outdoors;
4 have a severe mental impairment.
To
receive an application form for DLA fill in the tear-off
slip in leaflet DLA705 Disability Living Allowance, which
you can get from Social Security Offices, or ring the Benefit
Enquiry Line on 0800 22 06 74. You can also call the Disability
Living Allowance Branch on 028 9033 6000.
Attendance Allowance - AA
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non means-tested
benefit for people over the age of 65 who need help to look
after
themselves during the day or night (or both) as a result
of an illness or disability for at least 6 months. You do
not have to have anyone looking after you to qualify for
Attendance Allowance. Attendance Allowance is paid at different
rates depending on the level of care needed, not on the care
you are actually
receiving.
- Lower Rate
- Higher Rate
Contact the centre for the most up to date
figures. The Lower Rate is paid to people who require help
either during the day or during the night. The Higher
Rate is paid to people who require help during both the day and
the night.
For further information or to apply for Attendance Allowance
fill in the form in leaflet DS702 Attendance Allowance which
is available from Social Security Offices or the Benefit
Enquiry Line or the Attendance Allowance Branch on 028 9033
6000.
Please note that your benefits may be affected if you or
the person you care for goes in to hospital or residential
care. In such an event contact the office that pays the relevant
benefits for details.
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Income Support - IS
Income support is extra money to top up benefits and low
incomes. Even if you receive other benefits you may be entitled
to receive Income Support.
You can receive Income Support if you are :
1 18 or over (some 16 and 17 year olds can
make claims) and working less than 16 hours per week (some
people with
disabilities who work for 16 hours or more can claim)
2 not
in full time education (but people with disabilities in special
education can claim)
3 Living in the UK
4 Available for work (unless you are a
person who has a disability or you care for someone and
get Carers Allowance)
5 Have capital under £6,000 (lower
limit). IS will not be awarded if capital is more than £16,000
(upper limit). If your capital is between the upper and
lower limits a 'tariff income' is assumed by applying £1
per week for every complete or part block of £250.
For example an individual with savings of £7250 will
be deemed to have 'tariff income' of £5 per week.
If the same individual has capital of £7251 the '
tariff income' will be £6. Contact the centre for
further details on the above and for up to date information.
You do not have to have
paid National Insurance Contributions to be entitled to
Income support but it is means tested which means that other
money you have coming in or savings you have may be taken
into account. If you are entitled to CA you will be entitled
to have a Carers’ Premium included in your Income
Support and Housing Benefit which means you will be able
to get some extra benefit.
Linked Benefits
If you receive Income Support you will automatically
be entitled to health benefits such as free dental treatment,
free prescriptions, free sight tests and vouchers towards
the cost of glasses, housing benefit and free school meals.
You can also claim from the Social Fund
if you get Income Support, provided you have savings of
less than £1000.
Social Fund
The Social Fund provides grants
and loans to people who receive Income Support to help meet
one-off expenses.
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Community Care Grants
You will be awarded a Community Care grant if
that grant will
- Help you settle in the community
after a stay in hospital, care home, hostel or prison;
- Help you stay in the community instead of going into
hospital, care home or hostel;
- Help a family under stress;
- Pay travelling expenses in special cases.
A Community Care Grant can help pay for essential things
for your home such as furniture and bedding as well as clothing
and travel costs. You do not have to pay the grant back.
Budgeting Loans
A budgeting loan is meant to help you with large
one-off payments. They allow you to spread the cost over
a longer period. You will have to pay it back out of your
benefit. You must have been receiving Income Support for
26 weeks and have less than £1000 savings. The loans
are interest free and you normally repay then out of your
benefit.
Crisis Loans
A Crisis Loan is meant to help
you in an emergency or after a disaster. Like budgeting loans
Crisis Loans are interest
free and you normally repay them out of your benefit. However,
you do not have to be getting Income Support to apply for
this loan.
Funeral Payments
This is a payment to help you with funeral expenses. You
are entitled to this grant if you get Income Support, Family
Credit, Housing Benefit or Disability Working Allowance.
Any savings over £1000 will be counted towards the
cost of the funeral. Call your local Social Security Office
for the claim form SF200.
Cold Weather Payments
These payments help towards extra heating
costs during periods of very cold weather. You have to
be getting Income Support
and one of the disability or pensioner premiums paid with
it, or have a child under 5. You will not have to do anything
to get your payment. The Social Security Agency will pay
you automatically when the average temperature is recorded
as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below over seven days
in a row.
To apply for a grant or loan from
the Social Fund contact your local Social Security Office,
found under
Social Security
Agency in the telephone book. Addresses and phone numbers
of Social Security Offices in Belfast are listed in Section
8 ‘Useful Contacts’ of this information pack.
As with any benefit we would strongly advise getting qualified
assistance when completing these forms.
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Other Sources of Financial Support
Bursaries
from The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, PRTC, have
a number of bursaries which offer financial support to Carers.
The funds are administered by the London office but initial
enquiries should be made via the Centre. However, due to
current funding constraints it is only possible for the
Centre to take queries and support applications to the PRTC
grants scheme for
EITHER:
1.a
carer who lives in the Belfast Health & Social Care
Trust area AND the peson they care is entitled to primary
services from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust;
OR
2.
a carer who lives outside of the Belfast Health & Social
Care area BUT the peson they care is entitled to primary
services from the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust:
ACCENTURE YOUNG CARERS SERVICES DEVELOPMENT FUND
Grants are available of up to £2000 to help young
carers services set up new pieces of work within schools.
For example, helping early identification of young carers
in schools, work to influence schools to provide better
support for young carers in the long-term, lunchtimes clubs,
or after schools homework clubs.
CARERS RELIEF FUND
Up to £400 is available for equipment that
will improve the carer's quality of life by providing a
long-term solution to needs arising as a direct result of
their caring responsibilities. Awards can be made to provide
for the cared for person, but the direct benefit to the
carer must be made clear, for example, a washing machine
for a carer whose partner is incontinent and who is currently
washing clothing or bedding by hand. Funds are also available
to assist carers with the costs of transport needs arising
as a direct result of their caring situation. These may
be regular or special , one-off transport needs.
CARERS
BREAK FUND
Individual grants are available to assist with
the costs of providing a wide range of breaks for carers
to combat the stress and isolation often caused by their
caring role. A maximum of £200 will be given to cover
the costs of such activities as pampering days, recreational
or social outings, short breaks, holidays, cases of genuine
need and others.
EDUCATIONAL BURSARY FUND
Funds are available to assist carers with the costs
of educational courses which will enhance their quality
of life. Courses can be for education, personal development,
return to work or pleasure. Applications can be made for
course fees, books or equipment and must not exceed £400.
Grants are also available for driving lessons and costs
of driving tests (Theory and Practical) where the ability
to drive will benefit the carer in their caring role. Applicants
must be 18 years or over.
YOUNG CARERS ACTIVITIES FUND
Awards of up to £300 for young carers under
the age of 18 who have a primary caring responsibility.
Funds
are available for activities which will make an immediate
impact upon the life of the young carer by enhancing a skill,
talent or interest over a period of time and / or through
closely structured tuition designed to enhance / increase
skills by a measurable degree
FORESTERS YOUNG
CARERS MENTORING FUND
Grants for mentoring projects may apply for up to £200
per young carer and a maximum of £800 per application,
to provide mentoring or similar one to one support services
to young carers. Projects should therefore aim to work with
between two and four young carers and provide a minimum
of 10 sessions per young carer.
NICVA
GRANT TRACKER
The
Centre subscribes to this service and carers are welcome
to contact us and make an appointment to seek funding sources
for individuals and groups. There is a wide variety of private
Trust Funds and corporate bodies that may be able to assist
you. Appointments are necessary only to ensure that members
of staff are on hand to allow access to the database.
Contact the Centre for more details.
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Confidential Information and Listening
Services
Our help line can also offer you a friendly listening
ear and emotional support. Our telephone help line provides
you with information about many of the issues affecting
Carers - for example, benefits, respite and support services,
aids and adaptations, breaks, transport, Carer assessments.
The help line is staffed by trained staff and volunteers,
many of whom are current or former Carers - so you can phone
in confidence. The service is confidential and available
Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.00 pm. Outside these times you
can leave a message on an answering machine that will be
dealt with promptly.
Help line No - (028) 9043 4700
Open
Door Sessions
If you prefer to speak to someone face-to-face the Centre
operates a drop-in system which means you can call into
the Centre anytime between 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
You can alternatively phone in advance and make an appointment.
If in Belfast and unable to make your way to the Centre
a member of staff can arrange to visit you at home. This
service is free and confidential.
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Resources Library
The Centre has a comprehensive library of information
about caring, Carers, and services for Carers. It includes
books, leaflets, magazines, newsletters and videos. You
can come and browse in the library any time Monday to Friday-
9am-5pm
Social and Recreational Activities
Coffee Mornings
Our coffee mornings take place every Tuesday in the Centre
from 10.30 am - 12.30 pm. These mornings are open to all
Carers and offer you the chance to get out of the house,
an opportunity to have a cup of tea or coffee and chat to
other Carers. During coffee mornings we may have drama workshops,
crafts, flower arranging and patch quilt making demonstrations,
and talks from representatives of voluntary and statutory
organisations. Check our Social Calendar for details of
events arranged for coffee mornings. Don’t worry if
you haven’t been before - everyone will make you feel
welcome and you can stay for half an hour or for the whole
morning.
A
group also meets each Wednesday morning in the library at
Holywood Arches from 11.00am. A separate programme for this
group can be obtained by contacting the Centre.
Male Carers Meetings
It surprises many when they are told that 42% of
all Carers are male. We have in the past attempted to organise
a group meeting for men who are primary carers. If you are
interested in helping re-establish the group to meet once
a month please contact us to discuss this.
Other Activities
We organize various social events for Carers throughout
the year. These include complimentary tickets to concerts
and Christmas pantomimes, day outings, weekends away, meals
and social evenings. Watch the newsletter for further details.
Outreach
Outreach services/events take place in various
community settings outside of the Centre for those who cannot
attend events in the Centre. The current locations are Springfield
Road (Mondays 10.00am - 12.00pm), Ormeau Road Martin Ball
Pharmacy (Tuesdays 10.00am - 12.00pm), Skegoneill (Wednesdays
10.00am - 12.00pm) and Dundonald (Fridays 10.00am - 12.00pm).
Please contact the Centre to make appointments at any of
these locations.
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Publications
Quarterly Newsletter
Our newsletter is published
every three months and is packed with useful current information
and articles
about issues,
which may be of interest to Carers. It also keeps you up
to date with what is going on in the Centre and about developments
in services for Carers throughout
Belfast and Northern Ireland. To subscribe just contact the
office and give us your details
E-mail Bulletin
If you have access to the Internet and have an email address
then you will be able to receive our regular email bulletin.
Our bulletin aims to provide information and details of events
that may prove useful and informative to Carers. To subscribe,
simply forward your email address to info@carerscentre.org.
advising us that you wish to subscribe to the e-mail bulletin.
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