Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
Most people find the Benefits System complex and confusing, and as a result may not know what they are entitled to. Knowing how to claim and filling in lengthy forms can also be difficult.
At Carers Link, we can discuss your financial situation with you and facilitate a benefits check with either the East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau or the Pension Service. This will discover whether you or the person you care for are receiving all the benefits that you may be entitled to.
Entitlement to benefits depends on a wide range of factors. Some of the benefits that you may be able to access have been listed below with links to the web-pages of Carers Scotland to explain the benefits in more detail:
Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for Carers so it's important to find out if you can receive it. Carer's Allowance is currently worth £48.65 a week.
· Income Support/Pension Credit
This benefit is for people who have no income or whose income is below minimum levels set by the government.
· National Insurance Credits/Home Responsibilities Protection
Covers National Insurance Credits and Home Responsibilities protection.
· Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for disabled people aged 65 or over, who find it difficult to care for themselves.
· Disability Living Allowance
This benefit is for disabled people aged under 65 who find it difficult to care for themselves.
· Incapacity Benefit
This is a benefit for people who are unable to work because of illness or disability.
· Jobseeker's Allowance
This is paid to people who are unemployed or working part-time and are expected to look for a full-time work.
· Working Tax Credit
This is for people who are in work. Usually you must be over 25 and work for at least 30 hours a week.
· Child Tax Credit
This is for people who look after a child under 16 (or under 19 in education).
· Help with health costs
People on low income or because of their age or medical condition may be able to get help with certain health costs such as prescriptions.
· Social Fund
The Fund helps people to pay for one-off expenses, including funeral, winter or cold weather expenses.
· Housing Benefit
This benefit helps people on a low income to pay their rent.
· Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
ESA has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for those who are not well enough to work and making a claim on or after 27th October 2008.
· Work Focused Benefit Interviews
Changes to benefits mean that some Carers are now being called to a work focused interview. We explain the facts.
· Help with council tax
Carers may be able to reduce their council tax bill and / or claim Council Tax Benefit.
