MS Essentials. Benefits and MS. This publication is available in large print (22 point) Call or

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1 Seventh edition August MS Essentials For people living with MS This publication is available in large print (22 point) Call or Benefits and MS Multiple sclerosis (MS) can increase personal expenses and result in reduced income. If you have MS, or are a carer for someone who does, it is worth checking whether you can claim any benefits, tax credits or other financial help. It is also worth regularly reviewing your entitlement to benefits and tax credits because the rules often change. In addition, check your position if your MS symptoms change, as you may become entitled to more benefit. This booklet is not a complete list of benefits and tax credits. For example, it does not cover benefits for special situations (such as industrial injuries, maternity or bereavement). This is a very simplified guide to a very complicated system. It is a useful first step in discovering which benefits you might be able to claim. Always get help from an advice agency about which benefits you are entitled to and, if there is a choice, which it would be best to claim. You can also get information from the MS Society or the MS Society helpline (see back cover). Contents 04 Disability benefits 09 Unable to work 13 Permitted Work 14 Able to work 15 Children 16 Students 17 Pensions 18 Home and bills 22 Transport 23 Frequently asked questions 28 Further information In this booklet, we refer to many other organisations. Where you see i, you can find the organisation s contact details in Useful organisations on page 29. Benefits checker Benefit and tax credit systems are complicated. The chart overleaf can help you decide which benefits you may be able to claim. First, decide which box in the left-hand column most accurately describes your current situation, then look along the row to see which benefits you might be eligible for. You can find out more about each benefit in the following pages.

2 Your current situation I am too ill to work at all at the moment but I have a job I am too ill to work at all and I do not have a job I am unemployed but available for and actively seeking work I am working less than 16 hours a week* I am working 16 hours or more a week* I am too ill to work, but I can do Permitted Work ** Benefits for which you may be eligible Attendance Allowance (65 yrs+) Carer s Allowance Council Tax Benefit Disability Living Allowance Housing Benefit Employment and Support Allowance Jobseeker s Allowance Statutory Sick Pay Working Tax Credit Income Support I am under 16 and live at home I do not have MS but I want to claim because I look after someone who does * The amount you work, or the amount you are paid, can affect your entitlement to certain benefits. Always ask for advice if you are unsure how work might affect your benefits. ** Permitted Work is work that you are allowed to do for a limited number of hours and still be counted as unable to work for the purpose of claiming Employment and Support Allowance. For more information, see page

3 Disability benefits Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is one benefit that many more people with MS could claim if only they knew about it. Don t be put off by the name you don t have to be severely disabled to claim DLA. There are two separate parts to DLA: the care component and the mobility component. You may receive one or both. The care component is given if, due to your condition, you have difficulties with everyday activities, such as cooking, bathing or dressing. The mobility component is given if your condition means you have difficulty getting around outdoors. For both components it is important to mention all of the difficulties you have related to your MS, but you should not forget to mention any other condition or illness you may have. You can only claim once you have had problems with care or mobility for three months and if you expect to continue having these problems for at least six months. You can get DLA even if: you are working you are getting any other benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance your partner or spouse works you have savings you live alone and no-one is providing care for you you already have someone, a partner for example, providing care for you you don t want anyone to provide care for you DLA is a tax-free benefit and does not depend on your National Insurance contribution record. DLA is also ignored as income when working out entitlement to means-tested benefits (Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker s Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Tax Credits). Furthermore, if you receive DLA you may be able to get higher payments from such benefits. You may also be able to access the Motability scheme (see page 23). DLA payments are made directly to you, and you can spend it on anything you like. You must be under the age of 65 when you first claim DLA. If you are aged 65 or over and do not already receive DLA, there is a similar benefit called Attendance Allowance (see page 6) which you may be able to claim if you need help with personal care. 4

4 The DLA care component There are three rates of care component: the highest rate if you need care or supervision throughout the day and the night the middle rate if you need care or supervision either throughout the day or throughout the night the lowest rate if you have part-time care needs during the day or if you are unable to cook a main meal for yourself Both physical and mental symptoms are taken into account when looking at your care or supervision needs. Typical examples of care needs are if you need help with: dressing bathing getting out of bed or a chair cooking taking medications getting safely around the home. Generally, care does not include domestic tasks, such as ironing and cleaning your home. It is important to remember that DLA can be claimed even if there is no one helping you and your care needs are not being met. It is about your need for care, not whether you get that care. The DLA mobility component There are two rates of mobility component: The higher rate may be paid if you have physical problems which mean you are unable, or virtually unable, to walk. The time, distance, speed and manner of your walking are all considered. You may qualify if you can only walk short distances. Any walking that causes you severe discomfort is not counted towards the distance you can walk. The lower rate can be paid if your physical or mental problems mean you can walk, but you generally need guidance or supervision from another person to walk outdoors. How to claim DLA To claim either part, you need claim-form DLA1, available from the Benefit Enquiry Line by phone or online i. The claim-form is quite complicated and you may wish to seek advice about completing it. The MS Society has produced a guide to the form: 5

5 Claiming Disability Living Allowance, or you can get help from an advice agency or your local branch of the MS Society. Some people find completing the claim-form distressing as it requires focusing on their problems; unfortunately it is necessary if you are to gain the benefits of DLA. Future changes The Government intends to replace DLA with a new benefit, the Personal Independence Payment, for people between the ages of 16 and 64. This will have many similarities with DLA. The Personal Independence Payment will not be introduced before April At some stage, existing claimants of DLA between the ages of 16 and 64 will be tested under the new benefit and moved onto it if they pass the conditions. Attendance Allowance Many people with MS aged 65 or over who need either care or supervision are entitled to Attendance Allowance. The care must involve frequent attention throughout the day, or prolonged or repeated attention during the night. This could include help with getting in and out of bed, bathing, dressing, eating or dealing with medication. The supervision must be required to prevent danger to yourself or others. If you need care or supervision both day and night you receive the higher rate, otherwise you receive the lower rate. You can qualify even if you do not actually receive any help at the moment. It is the underlying need for help that is relevant. You must have been in need of care for six months before your award can begin, but you can put in your claim earlier. You can get Attendance Allowance even if: you are working you are getting any other benefits, including State Pension or Carer s Allowance your partner or spouse works you have savings you live alone and no-one is providing care for you you already have someone, a partner for example, providing care for you you don t want anyone to provide care for you Attendance Allowance is tax-free, does not depend on your National Insurance contribution record, and is not affected by any earnings or pension you may have. Furthermore, if you receive Attendance 6

6 Allowance this may entitle you to higher payments of other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Attendance Allowance payments are made directly to you, and you can spend it on anything you like. To claim Attendance Allowance, you need claim-form AA1, available from the Benefit Enquiry Line by phone or online. i If you are already receiving DLA before your 65th birthday, you can continue to receive it. You do not need to switch to Attendance Allowance. DLA and Attendance Allowance: appeals and reviews If you are unhappy about a decision If your claim is refused, or if you receive a lower rate than you think you should have been granted, you can ask for the decision to be revised by the Disability Benefit Centre. So that you have all the facts, you might find it helpful to ask for a copy of any medical evidence that was used to make the decision. You have one calendar month to ask for a revision from the date on the decision letter. If you are unhappy with the outcome of the decision once they have reconsidered it, you have a further month from the date of the new decision to make a formal appeal to a tribunal. A substantial proportion of decisions are overturned in favour of the claimant at tribunals. Appeals are heard by an independent tribunal and your chances of success are greatly increased if you attend the hearing in person. Details of how to appeal (and the appeal form) can be found in the Department for Work and Pensions leaflet GL24. i What if your condition gets worse? If your MS progresses you might qualify for a higher rate of DLA or Attendance Allowance than you currently receive. Ask the Disability Benefits Centre for your benefit to be looked at again. Contact details for your relevant centre will be on the decision letter related to your benefit. It is best to seek advice before you ask to have your rate reviewed: it is possible that your benefit may be reduced or lost. Check with a local advice agency or consult your local MS Society branch, and try to get a letter from your doctor outlining the extra help you need before you make your request. This can help to minimise any risk to your current award. 7

7 Carer s Allowance If you are caring for someone who gets either Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or highest rate, you may be able to claim Carer s Allowance. The person you care for does not have to live with you. To be eligible, you must: be aged at least 16 (there is no upper age limit) spend at least 35 hours a week providing care if you are working, you must earn no more than 100 a week net that is, after deducting tax, National Insurance contributions, half of any contribution you make towards an occupational or personal pension and certain allowable care costs not be in full-time education (21 hours or more a week) Before you claim Carer s Allowance, always check to see if the person you care for receives the severe disability premium or addition as part of their Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. If they do, they may lose the premium or addition if you are awarded Carer s Allowance. The rules are complicated, and it is advisable to seek further advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau or DIAL. In Scotland, local authority welfare rights services might be able to help (many are listed on the Money Advice Scotland website). i To claim Carer s Allowance, you need form DS700, available from the Benefit Enquiry Line or your local Jobcentre Plus office. You can also download a form from DirectGov. i If you are claiming Carer s Allowance, you may be able to get this topped up by Income Support (see below) or Pension Credit (see page 17), if you have reached the qualifying age for that benefit. If you are entitled to Carer s Allowance, benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Support or Pension Credit can usually be increased. This can make it worth your while claiming Carer s Allowance even if you cannot actually be paid it because it overlaps with another benefit, such as State Pension (when two benefits overlap only the higher of the two can be paid). Income Support Income Support is a means-tested benefit that works in a similar way to income-related Employment and Support Allowance. See Income-related ESA page 12. To claim Income Support you will need to ring the Jobcentre Plus claim-line. You can also use the A1 claim-form, available from your local Jobcentre Plus office. i Income Support will be replaced by the Universal Credit after

8 Unable to work Statutory Sick Pay Statutory Sick Pay may be relevant if you still have an employer but are unable to work because of a relapse. It is paid by your employer. It should be paid automatically at a flat rate for up to 28 weeks in any period of sickness (or different periods of sickness if they are separated by no more than eight weeks). You do not need to have paid National Insurance contributions, but you do need to be earning at least 102 a week (from April 2011). Statutory Sick Pay is taxable and there are no additions for dependants. Part-time workers can qualify for Statutory Sick Pay. Those without an employer, such as the unemployed and self-employed, are not covered and should claim Employment and Support Allowance instead. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is the benefit paid if your ability to work is limited by ill health or disability. It is composed of two elements: contributory ESA and income-related ESA You may be entitled to either one or both of these. See page 13 for details. An assessment phase of 13 weeks normally applies to all new ESA claimants, during which time Jobcentre Plus will gather information with respect to your claim. This will involve you undergoing a Work Capability Assessment and a work-focused interview. During the assessment phase you will be paid ESA at a reduced rate the basic allowance. You can start your claim by telephoning the Jobcentre Plus claim line. They should put you through to your nearest Jobcentre Plus contact centre, who will then take details of your claim over the phone. i The application process for ESA is complex. The chart overleaf outlines the process, but is not intended as a definitive guide. Many people will go through the process in a slightly different order. Contact the Benefits Enquiry Line or an advice service listed in the back of this booklet for support and information. i 9

9 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Fill in ESA50 (Send with additional evidence if possible!) Work Capability Assessment Limited capability for work test Assessed as being fit for work Assessed as having limited capability for work Apply for JSA / find work Ask for revision / appeal (send further evidence) Limited capability for work-related activity test Assessed as being capable of work-related activity ESA granted: Work-related activity group Assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity ESA granted: Support Group Means / contribution test Means / contribution test 10 Contribution-based (1 year time limit?*) Income-related (no time limit) * The current Welfare Reform Bill might impose this Contribution-based (no time limit) Income-related (no time limit)

10 The initial work-focused interview You are normally expected to attend an initial work-focused interview. At this interview a personal adviser will discuss with you: your work prospects the steps that you are willing to take to move into work the support available to you. The interview can be waived if you are likely to be starting a job or returning to work. The personal adviser can also defer an interview if, because of your condition, it would be inappropriate at that particular time. The Work Capability Assessment The ESA Work Capability Assessment will be carried out by a healthcare professional working on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. It is intended to do two things: Firstly it finds out whether you have a limited capability for work. The assessment for limited capability for work uses a points system to assess your limitations to carry out a series of tasks. It focuses on both your physical and mental health. You score points according to your inability to carry out the tasks. If you score 15 points or more, you are deemed to have limited capability for work and can stay on ESA. If not, you will need to claim Jobseeker s Allowance instead (see page 14) or appeal against the decision (see page 27). Secondly it finds out whether you have a limited capability for work-related activity. The limited capability for work-related activity assessment is used to decide whether you will be placed in the support group or the work-related activity group of claimants (see below). The assessment has a list of descriptors, relating to both physical and mental functions. If at least one of them fits, you will be placed in the support group of claimants. The support group If it is decided that you have a limited capability for work-related activity, you will be placed in the support group. If you are placed in this group, you will not have to undertake work-related activities (though you can volunteer to do so if you want). You will receive a higher rate of ESA than claimants who are put into the work-related activity group. The work-related activity group If it is decided that you do not have a limited capability for workrelated activity, you will be placed in the work-related activity group. 11

11 You will have to adhere to strict work-related conditions in order to continue receiving the benefit in full. This will involve attending a series of further work-focused interviews, in addition to the initial work-focused interview. These interviews will normally take place each month. At the interview, your personal adviser will try to help you back into work. They will draw up an action plan, which will outline the activities that you could undertake to help you move into work. Contributory ESA You need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions in specific tax years to be entitled to contributory ESA. If you pass the contribution conditions, you will receive a flat-rate benefit for yourself. If you want to get an addition for your partner as well, you will need to satisfy the conditions for income-related ESA (see below). Savings and most income do not affect contributory ESA. But any occupational or personal pensions you receive might affect the size of the award. If you have a limited capability for work and claim ESA before the age of 20 (or 25 if you have been in education or approved training since before you were 20) you do not have to satisfy the contribution conditions to be entitled to contributory ESA. From April 2012, contributory ESA will be payable for a maximum of 12 months (unless you are placed in the support group). If you need extra money to look after a child, you can claim the Child Tax Credit (see page 16). Income-related ESA This is a means-tested benefit. Your needs (and those of your partner if you have one) are compared with your resources, such as your income and savings. Income-related ESA is worked out from this comparison. It can be paid on its own (if you are not entitled to contributory ESA) or as a top-up to contributory ESA (if you are). Income-related ESA can help towards mortgage interest payments and certain other housing costs. Income-related ESA will be replaced by the Universal Credit after If you need extra money to look after a child, you can claim the Child Tax Credit (see page 16). How will ESA affect other benefits? If you are awarded income-related ESA, you are entitled to full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, subject to the usual rules. If you are only entitled to contributory ESA, you will need to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for these benefits. 12

12 Income-related ESA can also open the door to grants and loans from the Social Fund (including Maternity Grants, Funeral Payments and Winter Fuel Payments). If you are awarded income-related ESA, you qualify for automatic assistance with NHS charges such as prescriptions, vouchers for glasses and hospital travel fares. If you are only entitled to contributory ESA, you can apply for help with NHS charges under the low-income scheme, but this will be means-tested. If you already receive Incapacity Benefit or Income Support If you were already receiving Incapacity Benefit or Income Support paid on the grounds of incapacity when ESA was introduced in October 2008, you will continue to receive those benefits, rather than ESA, for the time being. However, at some point between 2010 and 2014 you will be reassessed under the Work Capability Assessment. If you are found to have a limited capability for work under this assessment, you will be moved onto ESA. Though the majority of Incapacity Benefit and Income Support claimants should not be worse off under the ESA system, some groups of claimants may be. If you are in this position, once you have been moved onto ESA, you should receive a transitional addition. This will bring your ESA up to the same level as your existing rate of Incapacity Benefit or Income Support. Permitted Work If you are claiming benefits such as ESA or Incapacity Benefit, the general rule is that if you do any work you are treated as capable of work for that week. However, you are allowed to do certain types of Permitted Work. The rules allow you to earn up to 20 a week on average for an unlimited period. Alternatively, you can work under 16 hours a week and earn up to 95 a week for a 52-week period (or for an unlimited period if you are placed in the support group of ESA claimants). Your earnings will be paid on top of benefits such as ESA or Incapacity Benefit. However, if you also get Income Support, this is likely to be reduced by any earnings above 20 a week. You do not need the support of your doctor to do Permitted Work, but always try to get advice and a benefits check from an advice agency before beginning. It is good practice to tell Jobcentre Plus before you start to ensure that they accept the work is Permitted Work. i 13

13 Able to work Working Tax Credit This is extra money for people who are over 16, in paid work and on a low income. It is paid by HM Revenue and Customs. There are a variety of ways of qualifying for Working Tax Credit: You may qualify on the grounds of disability if: you are working for 16 hours or more a week you can show that your MS has put you at a disadvantage in getting a job you are receiving or have recently received a qualifying sickness or disability-related benefit, such as Disability Living Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit Other people who may qualify include those who: are working for a least 16 hours a week and are either responsible for caring for a child, or are aged 50 or over and have only recently moved back into work Some people who work at least 30 hours a week may also qualify. Working Tax Credit will be replaced by the Universal Credit after Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit (see page 16) claims require the same form, TC600. This form is available from the Tax Credit Helpline, Jobcentre Plus offices and HM Revenue and Customs Enquiry Centres. i Jobseeker s Allowance There are two types of Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) contribution-based, and income-based and it is possible to get both at the same time. For each type you must be below State Pension age and be capable of work. You must also be unemployed (or working fewer than 16 hours a week) and looking for work. If you have a health condition, you can restrict your availability for work if the restrictions are reasonable. If you place restrictions on your availability that are not related to your condition, you have to show that you have a reasonable prospect of obtaining work. It is always advisable to seek advice from your local Jobcentre Plus office. You can claim by phoning the Jobcentre Plus claim-line. An appointment will then be made for you to discuss your benefit entitlement and your employment options with Jobcentre Plus staff. i 14

14 Contribution-based JSA This is a flat-rate payment for people who have worked and paid enough National Insurance contributions in the relevant years. It doesn t matter what savings you have, but your earnings (although not those of your partner or any other family member) are taken into account. This benefit lasts for 182 days. Income-based JSA This is for people who: have received their 182 days of contribution-based JSA, or did not pay enough National Insurance contributions to get contribution-based JSA in the first place, or are entitled to have their contribution-based JSA topped up because, for example, they have a partner who does not work. Whether you are entitled, and how much you get, depends on your income and savings (and those of your partner, if you have one). You may also be able to get help with mortgage interest payments. Income-based JSA will be replaced by the Universal Credit after How will JSA affect other benefits? If you are awarded income-based JSA, you are entitled to full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, subject to the usual rules. If you are only entitled to contribution-based JSA, you will need to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for these benefits. Income-based JSA can also open the door to grants and loans from the Social Fund (including Maternity Grants, Funeral Payments and Winter Fuel Payments) see page 25. If you are awarded income-based JSA, you qualify for automatic assistance with NHS charges such as prescriptions, vouchers for glasses and hospital travel fares. If you are only entitled to contribution-based JSA, you can apply for help with NHS charges under the low-income scheme, but this will be means-tested. Children Child Benefit This is a weekly, tax-free, flat rate benefit paid if you are responsible for and have care of, or contribute to the maintenance of, a child or young person. It does not depend on your National Insurance contribution record. It is paid until your child reaches age 16 (or 20 if he or she stays in full-time non-advanced education or approved unwaged training). To claim, you need to contact the Child Benefit Helpline at HMRC. i 15

15 Child Tax Credit This is a means-tested benefit paid by HM Revenue and Customs if you have a dependent child or young person. It can be paid whether or not you are in work. Your child is considered dependent until 31 August following their 16th birthday. After that date you can still get Child Tax Credit for a young person up to the age of 20 if they continue in full-time non-advanced education or approved unwaged training. Child Tax Credit will be replaced by the Universal Credit after Working Tax Credit (see page 14) and Child Tax Credit claims require the same form, TC600. This form is available from the Tax Credit Helpline, Jobcentre Plus offices and HM Revenue and Customs Enquiry Centres. i Students Financial support for students in higher education depends on your particular circumstances. You may be entitled to a loan or a grant. You can continue to receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) while studying. If you are studying part-time, you are eligible for income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) under the usual rules. If you are studying full-time, you may be eligible for income-related ESA as long as you are getting DLA. If you are studying full-time, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit throughout the year in certain circumstances. Students are disregarded for Council Tax purposes. You may also be eligible for hardship funds if your income is low; enquire at your Student Union, Student Services or university finance office. If you are studying full-time you are not eligible for Carer s Allowance. Disabled Students Allowance If you are a student in higher education and your MS means you need extra help or equipment, you may be eligible for Disabled Students Allowance. This can pay for a support worker or items like specialised computer equipment. Depending on where you live, you need to apply to Student Finance (England), Education and Library Board (Northern Ireland), your local authority (Wales) or the Student Awards Agency (Scotland). 16

16 Pensions State Pension You may receive a State Pension once you have reached State Pension age. State Pension age is 60 for women born on or before April 1950 and 65 for men. An equal State Pension age of 65 is being phased between 2010 and 2018; for women born after April 1950, their State Pension age will depend on their date of birth. The two main categories of State Pension are: Category A pensions normally based on your own contribution record Category B pensions based on your spouse/civil partner s contribution record Your Category A or B pension may also include a State Second Pension. All categories of State Pension are taxable. For more information, contact the Pension Service. i National Insurance credits Some carers are unable to pay National Insurance contributions because they are not working and do not receive a benefit such as Carer s Allowance (which automatically entitles a person to credited contributions). If you are in this situation, you can protect your rights to a basic State Pension with a credit for parents and carers. You will qualify for this if: you spend at least 20 hours a week looking after someone who gets either Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance or if the level of care you provide has been certified as appropriate by a GP or nurse. You will also qualify if you get Income Support as a carer. To claim, complete a CC1 claim-form, available from the Department for Work and Pensions. i Pension Credit Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people who have reached the qualifying age (which is being raised from 60 to 66 between 2010 and 2020). There are two elements to Pension Credit: Guarantee Credit this tops up a low income and is worked out in a similar way to income-related Employment and Support Allowance. You (or you and your partner) can have capital of up to 10,000 before it affects the amount of Guarantee Credit you receive. 17

17 Savings Credit this is intended to provide extra money if you have modest savings and are aged 65 or over. If you have a partner, they can be younger but only one member of a couple can claim. Pension Credit is not taxable. For more information, contact the Pension Service. i Home and bills Housing Benefit Housing Benefit is paid by local authorities to help people on low incomes pay rent. To determine if you are eligible, your local authority will look at: money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits, Tax Credits, and occupational pensions your savings and your partner s savings You do not have to have worked in the past or be getting other benefits to receive Housing Benefit, and there are no age limits. There are, however, various points that you should be aware of: if you live with a partner, only one of you can get Housing Benefit there are special rules if you are single and aged under 25 you cannot usually get Housing Benefit if you live in a close relative s household you cannot usually get Housing Benefit if you are a full-time student If you live in a property owned by a local authority or housing association, Housing Benefit can normally cover all of your eligible rent if your income is low enough. Eligible rent is your actual rent, less any amounts that Housing Benefit cannot cover such as charges for heating, water or meals. 18 If you live in private rented accommodation and claimed Housing Benefit before April 2008, your eligible rent is calculated in a similar way. However, for claims made after April 2008 for private rented accommodation, your eligible rent is calculated using a standard Local Housing Allowance. This is a flat-rate allowance and the amount set depends on the area you live in and who you live with. This figure is used whatever the actual amount of rent you pay (though from April 2011 the amount of Local Housing Allowance cannot be more than your actual rent). If you are claiming benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit, you will normally be able to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same time. Otherwise, you will need to ask your local authority for the claim-form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Housing Benefit for people of working age will be replaced by the Universal Credit after 2013.

18 Council Tax Benefit Council Tax Benefit is paid by local authorities to help people on low incomes pay their Council Tax. Whether you are eligible depends on the income and capital you (and your partner) have. You don t need to have worked in the past and there are no age limits (be aware that people under 18 do not have to pay Council Tax). You may be eligible even if you do not receive any other benefits and it does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax (for example, if you live alone). If you are claiming benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit, you will normally be able to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same time. Otherwise, you will need to ask your local authority for the claim-form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Council Tax Disability Reduction Scheme This scheme is designed to help people who need to live in larger homes because of their condition. Under this scheme, your council tax bill can be reduced to the amount you would pay for the valuation band below yours. For example, if you live in a house in band C, you would only need to pay the band B amount. Band A properties also receive a reduction under the scheme. You can apply for the reduction if you or another resident in your dwelling is substantially and permanently disabled and at least one of the following conditions applies: you have an additional bathroom or kitchen needed by the disabled person, or you have a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) needed by and predominantly used by that person, or you have enough space in your dwelling for that person to use a wheelchair indoors The person liable for Council Tax needs to make the application to their local authority. Some local authorities have a standard form for this. If you should have been given a disability reduction in the past, but were not, it should be fully backdated. Council Tax Discounts You can get a discount on your council tax if you live alone, or if you only live with someone who is disregarded when counting numbers of residents. These include people with a severe mental impairment, some carers and students. 19

19 Community Care Grants If you are getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker s Allowance or Pension Credit, you may be able to get a Community Care Grant from the Social Fund (see page 25). These are available to help ease exceptional pressure on you or your family, to prevent you having to move into residential accommodation or to help you move out of residential accommodation. So, for example, if your MS means you need additional heaters, a washing machine or minor alterations to your home, you may be able to get a grant to cover the cost. This is not an exhaustive list Community Care Grants can be awarded for a variety of things, depending on your personal circumstances and on whether you satisfy the relevant criteria. You do not have to repay a Community Care Grant. To apply, you need form SF300, which is available from your local Jobcentre Plus office. i Budgeting Loans If you have been getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker s Allowance or Pension Credit for at least 26 weeks, you may be able to get an interest-free Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund (see page 25) to help meet intermittent expenses for specified items such as clothing, bedding or a washing machine. Unlike a Community Care Grant, a Budgeting Loan has to be repaid. To apply, you need form SF500, which is available from your local Jobcentre Plus office. i Crisis Loans Social Fund Crisis Loans are repayable, interest-free loans. You can apply for one if: you are unable to meet your immediate short-term needs because of an emergency or disaster, and the health and safety of either you, or a member of your family would be at serious risk without it You do not have to be getting benefits to receive a Crisis Loan. To apply, you need to ring the Jobcentre Plus claim-line or drop in at the Jobcentre Plus office in the area where your need arises. i 20

20 Payments towards fuel costs A Cold Weather Payment is made when the average temperature for your area, recorded or forecast over seven consecutive days, is zero degrees Celsius (freezing) or below. These payments are made automatically. You are eligible if you are in receipt of: Pension Credit income-related Employment and Support Allowance Income Support income-based Jobseeker s Allowance that includes a pensioner or disability premium Winter Fuel Payments are annual lump-sum payments of between 100 and 300 made towards winter fuel costs once you have reached the qualifying age (which is being raised from 60 to 66 between 2010 and 2020). You should normally be paid automatically; otherwise you can claim by calling For information on Energy efficiency grants to help with insulation, room heating and water heating contact: Warm Front in England ( ), Warm Homes in Northern Ireland ( ) or the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland and Wales ( ). Disabled Facilities Grants Disabled Facilities Grants are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are designed to help meet the cost of adapting a property to make it accessible for a disabled person. You can be an owner-occupier or a tenant (with both a private or social landlord). A grant may be awarded to help you, for example, with access to the property or a room within the property, or with providing extra facilities. Disabled Facilities Grants are usually means-tested. For applications from owner-occupiers and tenants, the means test is applied to the person with the disabilities and their partner, if they have one. This applies even if the disabled person is not the applicant. The means test does not apply when the application is made for the benefit of a disabled child or young person. Your local authority can advise you about applying. In Scotland, there is a grant scheme for disabled people who live in their own home or private rented accommodation. You may be eligible for a grant of at least 80 per cent of the cost of structural adaptations, whatever your finances. Structural adaptations might include replacing a bath with a walk-in shower, lowering kitchen units, or installing an access ramp. Contact your local authority social work department for a community care assessment to check your eligibility. 21

21 The MS Society booklet Adaptations and your home has more information, or download the Scottish Government guide: Help with adaptations to your home: A guide for disabled people in private housing in Scotland from TV Licence concessions A free TV licence is available if you are aged 75 or over, and a 50 per cent discount is available if anyone in the household is registered blind. Transport Blue Badge This is a scheme of parking concessions designed to help people with mobility problems. If you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you will qualify automatically. It is also possible to qualify if you can show you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes very considerable difficulty in walking. Your local authority will be able to advise you about the scheme in your area and how to apply. Vehicle Tax Exemption You are exempt from Vehicle Tax for one car, including the first registration fee, if you receive DLA higher-rate mobility component. The car can be yours or you can nominate another person s vehicle (including a company car). An exemption certificate is available from the DLA central office. Contact the DVLA office if you don t receive one automatically with your DLA award. i Officially, the vehicle is exempt only when used by or for the purposes of the disabled person. This could include someone else running errands for them. This restriction has never been clearly defined though. Using an exempt car for something totally unconnected with the disabled person is technically illegal. However, the Disability Alliance s Disability Rights Handbook states that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has implied that if the car is used substantially for the purposes of the disabled person there is nothing to worry about. If this is an issue which affects you, you can contact the DVLA for clarification. i 22

22 Motability This is a charity set up to help people with disabilities use their higher-rate mobility component of DLA to buy or hire a car (including adapted vehicles). Motability also runs a wheelchair and scooter scheme. You must have an indefinite award or a fixed-rate award with at least 12 months still to run for you to access the scheme. Your DLA mobility component will be paid directly to Motability. For more information, contact Motability. i Concessions on public transport Free off-peak travel on all local buses is available to eligible disabled people anywhere in England. Similar schemes operate in Scotland and Wales. Application forms are available from local authorities. For Northern Ireland concessions, contact A Disabled Person s Railcard entitles you to a third off the cost of most UK train journeys. National Rail can give you more details. i Frequently asked questions I have just been diagnosed with MS; am I entitled to any benefits? It depends very much on how your MS affects you and whether you are able to work. If you need time off work, you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay from your employer (see page 9). If you are not able to claim Statutory Sick Pay, you should claim Employment and Support Allowance instead (see page 9). If you have any care needs and/or mobility problems, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (see page 4). I am unwell and not sure if I can continue working; what am I entitled to? If you are not able to work, you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay from your employer for the first 28 weeks off work. This gives some time in which you can assess whether it is appropriate for you to continue working or not. Once Statutory Sick Pay ends, you should claim Employment and Support Allowance. If you are not able to claim Statutory Sick Pay initially from your employer, you should claim Employment and Support Allowance from the moment you need to stop working (see page 9). In addition to this, you may also be able to claim benefits such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, but this will depend on your total income and savings (and your partner s income and savings). If you have care needs or mobility problems you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance (see page 4). 23

23 I want to go back to work; will I lose all my benefits? If you go back to work for less than 16 hours a week you may be able to continue claiming benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Income Support and work within the Permitted Work rules (see page 13). If you want to work 16 hours or more you may be able to claim Working Tax Credit (see page 14). You can continue to claim Disability Living Allowance when you are working, and it is paid on top of any other income or benefit you receive. If your income is low, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit as well. What will happen if I go into hospital or a care home? Stays in hospital or a care home can affect benefits. Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer s Allowance and Child Benefit can be stopped after just a few weeks in hospital or a care home. In turn, this can affect your entitlement to incomerelated Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit. You should let the Department for Work and Pensions know if you are admitted to hospital or a care home. If you receive Carer s Allowance, you must tell the Department for Work and Pensions if the person you are looking after is admitted. If you get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, and a spell in hospital results in Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer s Allowance or Child Benefit being stopped, you need to tell the local authority. What are means-tested benefits? These are benefits that are affected by earnings, other types of income and the amount of savings or capital you have. What are the different methods of receiving benefits? Benefits are generally paid direct into your bank, building society or credit union account. Payments can also be made to a Post Office card account. Post Office card accounts only accept payment of benefits or tax credits and only allow cash withdrawals over the counter at Post Offices or at Bank of Ireland ATMs situated at some Post Office branches. Alternative payments by cheque are being phased out. 24

24 What are direct payments? Confusingly, direct payment(s) refers to both: the payment of any benefits directly into your bank account a method of accessing social care services Receiving direct payments of your benefits entitlements into your bank account means that your benefits entitlement is deposited into your bank account rather than coming as a cheque. If you have questions about this, contact the Department of Work and Pensions, or the MS Society Information Team. i Receiving direct payments for social care services is different: If you have been granted access to social care services, direct payments allow you to manage this budget yourself. This means that you get a budget to pay for your own social care directly, rather than having services provided by the local authority. This can include home care and therapists. Direct payments for social care are operated by Health and Social Care Trusts (in Northern Ireland) and by local authorities in the rest of the UK. In England, direct payments for social care may now form part of your personal budget, in which you can develop your own support plans and decide how your needs are met. In Scotland, direct payments for social care are often known as self-directed support. This is a wider term and means more than just direct payments. There s more information about direct payments for social care and other issues around social care and independent living in the MS Society booklets Getting the best from social care services, Getting the best from social work services in Scotland and Getting the best from social care services in Wales. Contact the MS Society UK Information Team for more information i. If you live in Scotland, the MS Society Scotland Information Team can help further. i What is the Social Fund? The Social Fund is a system of grants, payments and loans for a variety of needs that are difficult to meet from weekly benefits. The grants and loans available include Community Care Grants, Budgeting and Crisis Loans (see page 20). The Social Fund provides different types of help depending on the circumstances you are in, but most types of help are only available if you are on specified qualifying benefits. For details, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office. i 25

25 Other support which might be available through the Social Fund includes the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which helps with the cost of things for your first baby, and the Funeral Payment, which helps towards the costs of arranging a funeral. See DirectGov for more details. i The Government intends to replace Community Care grants and Crisis Loans for general living expenses with a new service delivered by local authorities. If this change goes ahead, it will be in April 2013 at the earliest. Can I claim benefits when living abroad? If you travel or live abroad, you may be able to receive your benefits while you are away. For example, State Pension can be paid no matter how long you are away. For other benefits, the rules are more complex. For temporary absences abroad, some other benefits and tax credits can be paid: Child Benefit and Tax Credits you can usually be away for up to eight weeks and continue to be paid. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance temporary absences for up to 26 weeks are possible in certain circumstances. Pension Credit you can usually be away for up to 13 weeks and continue to be paid. Income Support and Jobseeker s Allowance may be payable for periods of up to four or eight weeks while you are abroad, though the cut-off will depend on your circumstances. If you are receiving NHS treatment abroad then these periods might be extended. Always check how going abroad might affect your benefits before leaving. Where can I get claim-forms? Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carer s Allowance and National Insurance credit claim-forms from the Benefit Enquiry Line ( ). Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker s Allowance and Income Support claim-forms from the Jobcentre Plus claim-line ( ). Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim-forms from your local authority. Pension Credit claim-form telephone the application line ( ). 26

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