

"For Mary and for Dave"

Advice & Support for Carers of Loved ones living with Dementia in South Warwickshire
Our Service is Completely Voluntary - Dementia Carer Experience Shared - Heather & Paul Dowler



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There is a lot of information available (too much sometimes!) - Don't be afraid to ask for help in trying to wade through it all. You could also, try this calculator tool: Click here: Use the entitled to benefits calculator
Attendance Allowance Information
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visit https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
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Attendance Allowance is not taxed, or ‘means tested’.
Income or savings doesn’t affect eligibility and it can be claimed for the person living with Dementia if a person:
• Is over State Pension age
• Needs support because of an illness/disability
• Support has been needed for at least 6 months (less if terminally ill)
• Hasn’t had a formal diagnosis of a condition
How much is the weekly Attendance Allowance?
• £68.10 Lower rate - help or supervision is often needed during the day
• £101.75 Higher rate - help or supervision is needed during the day and night
What can Attendance Allowance be used for?
There is a choice how the benefit can be spent; it is based on the support needed e.g. helping a person stay independent in their own home.
The money could help pay for equipment, heating costs, a cleaner or support worker, meal delivery, transport for medical appointments or anything else to support someone who needs a bit of extra help.
How to claim?
• Call the Attendance Allowance helpline 0800 731 0122 requesting a form
(a successful claim will be backdated to the call date)
• Or visit https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance and apply on-line easily
You may want to explain how an illness or disability affects every day tasks including personal care e.g. showering, cutting toenails or taking medications, or tasks such as cleaning, gardening or shopping. Keeping a diary for a few days, may help with completing the form by highlighting areas needing support. Attendance Allowance can be applied for on behalf of someone else, such as a friend or relative. If the situation changes the amount paid can be reviewed and increased to the higher rate if appropriate.
To find out more about financial support, please have a look at the Dementia Oxfordshire website. https://www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk/financial-support/
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Carer's Allowance Information
visit https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
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If you get State Pension
You cannot get the full amount of both Carer’s Allowance and your State Pension at the same time.
If your pension is £67.60 a week or more, you will not get a Carer’s Allowance payment.
If your pension is less than £67.60 a week, you’ll get a Carer’s Allowance payment to make up the difference.
How it works
You could get £67.25 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
How you’re paid
You can choose to be paid weekly in advance or every 4 weeks.
It will be paid into an account, for example your bank account.
What else you can get
For each week you get Carer’s Allowance you’ll automatically get National Insurance credits.
You may also be able to apply for:
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Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work
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Pension Credit if you’re over working age
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grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training
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Income Support (if you get the severe disability premium and you’re on a low income)
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income-based Employment and Support Allowance (if you get the severe disability premium and you cannot work)
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Council tax and Dementia
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Some people living with dementia are eligible for a discount on their council tax.
Diagnosed Dementia is classed as a “disregard” as far as your local council is concerned and therefore it may be possible to claim a reduction of 25% on your annual council tax bill - If you are living with and caring for your loved one.
You will need:
The person living with dementia will need to be receiving Attendance Allowance and you will need a a letter from your GP confirming the diagnosis of dementia.
You will then need to contact your local council and request a form to apply for a council tax reduction - Here is the link for Stratford Council:
https://www.stratford.gov.uk/council-tax/severe-mental-impairment-discount.cfm
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NHS continuing healthcare
visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/money-work-and-benefits/nhs-continuing-healthcare/
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Some people with long-term complex health needs qualify for free social care arranged and funded solely by the NHS. This is known as NHS continuing healt
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Where can NHS continuing healthcare be provided?
NHS continuing healthcare can be provided in a variety of settings outside hospital, such as in your own home or in a care home.
Am I eligible for NHS continuing healthcare?
NHS continuing healthcare is for adults. Children and young people may receive a "continuing care package" if they have needs arising from disability, accident or illness that cannot be met by existing universal or specialist services alone.
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To be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you must be assessed by a team of healthcare professionals (a multidisciplinary team). The team will look at all your care needs and relate them to:
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what help you need
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how complex your needs are
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how intense your needs can be
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how unpredictable they are, including any risks to your health if the right care is not provided at the right time
Your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare depends on your assessed needs, and not on any particular diagnosis or condition. If your needs change then your eligibility for NHS continuing healthcare may change.
You should be fully involved in the assessment process and kept informed, and have your views about your needs and support taken into account. Carers and family members should also be consulted where appropriate.
A decision about eligibility for a full assessment for NHS continuing healthcare should usually be made within 28 days of an initial assessment or request for a full assessment.
If you are not eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you can be referred to your local council who can discuss with you whether you may be eligible for support from them.
If you still have some health needs then the NHS may pay for part of the package of support. This is sometimes known as a "joint package" of care.
Benefits if you're over State Pension age
You can get a range of benefits if you're over State Pension age and you have an illness or disability. The extra money can help with the cost of your care.
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You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.
Check what benefits you can get and how to get them.
Attendance Allowance
What it is
Attendance allowance is for people over State Pension age who need help at home because of an illness or disability.
You could get:
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£57.30 a week if you need help either in the day or at night
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£85.60 a week if you need help both day and at night
When you can get it
You can get Attendance Allowance if you're over State Pension age and have a long-term illness or disability. It does not matter how much you earn or have in savings.
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How to claim Attendance Allowance on GOV.UK
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
What it is
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a payment of up to £174.80 a week.
When you can get it
You can get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you're disabled because of an accident at work, or you have an illness that was caused by work.
When you cannot get it
You cannot get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you were self-employed at the time of the accident.
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How to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit on GOV.UK
Constant Attendance Allowance
What it is
Constant Attendance Allowance is a payment for people who are ill or disabled because of specific circumstances. Payments range from £34.95 to £139.80 a week.
When you can get it
You can get Constant Attendance Allowance if you receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension and you need daily care because of a disability.
When you cannot get it
You cannot get Constant Attendance Allowance if you already get Attendance Allowance.
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How to claim Constant Attendance Allowance on GOV.UK
Other benefits for older people
If you get Attendance Allowance, you might be able to get some other benefits, or an increase in benefits, including:
You may also be entitled to:
Check what benefits you can get
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Use the entitled to benefits calculator
Carer's Allowance
If you get Attendance Allowance or another disability-related benefit and you have a carer, they may be able to get Carer's Allowance.
Get help and advice
Get expert benefits advice plus help filling in claim forms from:
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Age UK Call 0800 169 6565
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Independent Age Call 0800 319 6789
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Citizens Advice Call 03444 111 444
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
Check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge. You can also use this service to reapply for a Blue Badge.
You can apply for yourself, someone else or an organisation.
A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland. It’s free in Wales.
They usually last up to 3 years.
You must reapply for a Blue Badge before your current one expires.
If you’re replacing a lost, stolen or damaged blue badge, and it is not expiring in the next 3 months, you need to use a different service.
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Apply or renew online - Click here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
You’ll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders.
You’ll also need a photo or scan of your:
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proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence)
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proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter)
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proof of benefits (if you get any)
You’ll also need to know:
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your National Insurance number (if you have one)
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the details of your current Blue Badge (if you’re reapplying)
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Under 65 ? - Attendance Allowance is not available - But Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is:
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Please visit the Government Website for more information:
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