What other help could i get my son been awarded middle rate disability

imuststartsaving

My son is 5 get middle rate disability n i also get carers for him just wonderin is there any other help im entiled to.
Any help info will be greatly apperciated please

sad_dog_lady

not really, u can try for a blue badge but ours was turned down, you can get a carers assesment mine pays for a cleaner and gardener contact social services or carers support centre for this
you can get family fund help its based in york and helps with funding play equipment, computers , washing machines, holidays, and driving lessons
some local authorities offer lifelong learning free to carers
some offer discounts on swimming for both of you, and you can get a cineama card which lets you go in free pm me if you need help finding these things.
also most authorities offer a companions pass so you can travel with your son free on publuic transport.
none of the above are means tested except family fund you need to earn under 25k i think for that one.

alwaysonthego_2

have you applied for the disability element in child tax credits yet?

sad_dog_lady

ok ive had a few pm's but here is some additional info
contact you local council leisure centre and you are able to go in free as a carer.
family fund :
Contact us

Family Fund
4 Alpha Court
Monks Cross Drive
York
YO32 9WN
Tel 0845 130 4542 or 01904 621115
Textphone 01904 658085
Fax 01904 652625
Email [EMAIL="info@familyfund.org.uk"]info@familyfund.org.uk[/EMAIL]

sad_dog_lady

carers assesment..... not direct payment for disabled person, but carers assesment for help being a carer ft or not ft
off gov web, but contact local council / social services and ask for carers assesment :
Caring for someone


Assessments for carers


If you provide a regular and substantial amount of care for someone aged 18 or over, you can ask the social services department in your local council for a carer's assessment.

There is no definition of 'regular and substantial care'. A carer's assessment means social services will look at your situation and see if you are entitled to any services that could make caring easier for you.

Preparing for a carer's assessment

The assessment is an opportunity for you to help the social worker understand the impact caring has on you, and talk about the services they may be able to provide to help you. So it may be a good idea to make a list, or keep a diary, of everything you do to help look after the person you care for.
Some things you may want to think about are:

• do you get enough sleep?
• is your health affected by caring?
• can you leave the person you are looking after?
• are you worried about having to give up work?
• do you get enough time to yourself?

You might also include how caring affects you because of your:

• age
• health
• work or study (or if you are looking to work or study)
• other activities or commitments

The assessment can be carried out at your home or at the home of the person you are caring for. The assessment is about you, and the person you care for does not need to be present.
If there is more than one carer providing regular care in your household, you are both entitled to an assessment.

Services that may be available

Services that may help you and the person you care for include:

• a break from caring
• help with housework
• changes to equipment or adaptations to the home
• emotional support

Remember that this assessment is about your needs as a carer

sad_dog_lady

life long learning :
Caring for someone


Carers and learning


You may think that, as a carer, having time to learn is impossible - but there are many ways to learn around your caring responsibilities.

Most carers really enjoy education and learning courses and the freedom they give them to spend time on themselves. Although you may be concerned at first, there is support available - from finding the right course to funding and how to arrange alternative care.

The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004

The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 came into force in April 2005, to make sure carers are able to take up opportunities that people without caring responsibilities often take for granted. For example, working, studying or leisure activities.
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• The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act

Finding the right course

Some colleges run courses specifically for carers. These courses are often informal, friendly environments where you are encouraged to find a study programme to suit your learning styles, caring duties and personal aims.

• Adult learning (general education and learning section)

Funding

You can ask your local carers organisation or social services if there is any funding for learning through the local authority Carers Grant.

• Find your local council

National Extension College

The National Extension College (NEC) provide home study courses. You may be able to get reduced fees on a course from the NEC if you are:

• a carer
• on income-related benefits
• aged 16 or over
• live in England
• plan to do a level 2 course (GCSE or Basic Skills)

You may be eligible for the NECs Equal Access to Open Learning (EATOL) scheme. EATOL means you could pay £50 and any exam fees. You will also have a support from a personal mentor throughout your course.
There are a limited number of places are available.

• NEC website Opens new window

Princess Royal Trust for Carers bursaries

If you are in contact with a Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC) centre then you may be able to apply for a PRTC bursary (a bursary is money given to students).
Funds are available:

• for carers who are caring or who have stopped caring in the last six months
• to be used for education, personal development, pleasure or skills for returning to work
• for course fees, books and equipment (the cost of computers or respite care is not covered)

For more information contact your local Princess Royal Trust for Carers centre.

• Princess Royal Trust for Carers website Opens new window

'Learning for Living' - City & Guilds course

• Find out more about Learning for Living Opens new window

sad_dog_lady

and last but not least for fun : free cinema


Welcome to the Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card Website. This is a national card that can be used to verify that the holder is entitled to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema.
To apply for the card, you will need to meet one or more of the following criteria:
a) Be in receipt of the disability living allowance or attendance allowance.
b) Be a registered blind person.
The card is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Application forms are available from cinemas across the UK supporting this card. Alternatively, download an application form to print out and fill in.
Information on participating cinemas.
Frequently asked questions.
A processing fee of £5.50 is chargeable per card

sad_dog_lady

:smileyhea :grouphug: prolly in trouble for all the links but hugs to all carers out there and hugs to all that need care

sad_dog_lady

ooops forgot this one getting there:
Free bus pass scheme

The new national bus pass scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2008, allows anyone over 60 or eligible disabled to enjoy free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. This replaces the concessionary bus pass scheme which operated for the last two years and had more limited travel options.

Who is entitled to a free bus pass?

• Everyone over the age of 60
• Blind or partially sighted persons
• Profoundly or severely deaf persons
• A person without speech
• A person who has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk
• A person who does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
• A person who has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
• A person who would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his/her application refused pursuant to Section 92 of that Act (physical fitness)e free travel period funded by the Government starts from 9.30am.

Woodyrocks

sad_dog_lady wrote: »

not really, u can try for a blue badge but ours was turned down, you can get a carers assesment mine pays for a cleaner and gardener contact social services or carers support centre for this
you can get family fund help its based in york and helps with funding play equipment, computers , washing machines, holidays, and driving lessons
some local authorities offer lifelong learning free to carers
some offer discounts on swimming for both of you, and you can get a cineama card which lets you go in free pm me if you need help finding these things.
also most authorities offer a companions pass so you can travel with your son free on publuic transport.
none of the above are means tested except family fund you need to earn under 25k i think for that one.

Can I ask a bit more about this carers assessment please. I don't have a carer but I get middle rate care and lower rate mobility - I currently pay for my cleaner out of my DLA but could i be getting it for free

sad_dog_lady

my goodness yes, it should be free.... get someone to come from disability team thats a person in social services or your local council... ours are combined to come and assess you, my friend just had hers and gets 6 hours a week help .. she uses it to go swimming or shoppping or for housework, you will be alocated so many hours dependant on your needs, do apply you have nothing to loose.