Additional entitlements and benefits if you claim DLA.

I-Owe-You

I am sure this subject has come up before, but after scrolling through the threads the past couple of nights I am yet to find anything relative.

I understand there are lots of other additional benefits/entitlements that you can claim and apply for when you are in receipt of DLA – you just have to know about them!

I am aware of the discounted rail card; cinema card and the local authority bus pass… but wondered if there are any other schemes or benefits that are not widely known for us to share for those that claim DLA? (any rate)

If anyone has any information or experiences it would be great if you could share them here?

Thanks in advance & best wishes.

churchrat

I have just found out that there is a disability element in wortking tax credits, if thats any help??
Whats this about a cinema card??

Don't you just wish for someone who could tell you all about every thing? trouble seems to be that nobody, even those who work in the system know ALL about them

goodluck--I will watch this thread!

kingfisherblue

Disabled child element and severely disabled child element on CTC - if the disabled person is a child.

Blue badge if on HRM

Radar key (for using toilets) - available from local council

Disabled facilities Grant if adaptations are needed to your home (means tested and I think you must go through Occupational Therapy at Social Services)

kingfisherblue

http://www.ceacard.co.uk/

Link for the cinema card

mum-of-3

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Disabled child element and severely disabled child element on CTC - if the disabled person is a child.

Blue badge if on HRM

Radar key (for using toilets) - available from local council

Disabled facilities Grant if adaptations are needed to your home (means tested and I think you must go through Occupational Therapy at Social Services)

The disability element of CTC is not just if you have a disabled child. If the disabled person works more than 16hrs a week they are entitled to the disability element.

Also you can apply for a blue badge even if you do not get high rate mobility, but if you do receive high rate you do need to go through the application. Each council have different criteria for blue badges!

Disabled facilities grant although means tested takes in to consideration your incomings and outgoing and how many children you have in the house.

You can get a reduction in your council tax your house has been adapted and if you use a wheelchair in the house.

kingfisherblue

I didn't knw about the disabled person being able to claim the disability element of CTC (my son is disabled, so I only have my own experience)

Blue badge - true, apologies for not giving full details

DFG - I did say means tested. Again, I only have my own experience

Reduction in council tax - I'd forgotten about this. You do not have to use a wheeelchair indoors (in my council area - don't know if it varies). My council states adaptations, person neediing an additional bathroom or kitchen, or using a wheelchair indoors. It also states that you have to sign saying that the disabled peron will live in the house for at least five years, although this can be reduced if the person's health means they have to move sooner.



If you have a person caring for you, they might be able to claim Carer's Allowance (£53.10 a week) if they meet the criteria. This is only if you are receiving middle or high rate care, though. There are other criteria for the carer to meet, such as earning less than £95 a week, caring for you for more than 35 hours a week, not being a full time student. More details here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/MoneyMatters/CarersAllowance/index.htm?CID=DWP&TYPE=Sponsoredsearch&CRE=CarersAllowance

Parent carers might be entitled to short breaks, such as overnight respite. Check what is available in you area with your local council.

Disabled people often have to pay full price or concession to enter theatres, theme parks, etc. Many places allow for one free carer though (Chester Zoo lets one carer in for free, for example)

Legoland and some other theme parks allow disabled people to queue at the exit of each ride, and the ride operator gives them priority. At Legoland we had to go to customer services and have our hands stamped. This was for up to four people (disabled person and three others in the same party)

Some councils have free parking for blue badge holders - my council doesn't, but Southport and Warrington do. i believe that others do as well.

Asda have a refundable £1 charge for parking, but if you are displaying a blue badge, you don't have to get the ticket.

Some hospitals have free parking for blue badge holders. If you are also on a low income, you might be able to claim back costs of transport to hospital appointments.

Some medical conditions qualify for free prescriptions. If you need a large number of prescriptions, but don't qualify for free ones (either due to the condition or because of low income) you can get a prepaid certificate to save you money.

I-Owe-You

I am actually lucky enough to still be able to work full time, which I assume (??) may effect my eligibility for a lot of support or entitlements … I’ve not got much experience with claiming benefits or how it works, so am naive as to what I can get – if anything. I claim mid rate DLA.

I suffer with profound deafness and Meniere’s disease (a balance disorder which can cause me to fall suddenly/without warning and black out, which means I mostly always need to be accompanied and take much medication to control this) – I am lucky that I am currently still able to work full time for an understanding employer, and I receive assistance and have many adaptations in order to still be able to work.

I have found the Direct Gov website quite useful, but a lot of the information on the page is what I already knew.

Click Here to go to the website if you are interested.

I’ve also heard about a free car scheme & driving lessons for those on high rate DLA, although you have to sacrifice your benefit if you wish to pursue this.

I hope this thread helps make many people aware of other additional entitlements to their DLA that they perhaps wouldn’t be openly informed about otherwise.
Thank you for responding to my post!

I-Owe-You

PS

Mobility car & diving lesson info (Higher rate only applicable):

http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm?type=CDRL

I-Owe-You

Also – again forgive me for my naivety, but what does “CTC” abbreviate?

Paparika

Child Tax Credit

Indie_Kid

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I
Legoland and some other theme parks allow disabled people to queue at the exit of each ride, and the ride operator gives them priority. At Legoland we had to go to customer services and have our hands stamped. This was for up to four people (disabled person and three others in the same party)

A bit of a warning about this:
A friend of mine is partially sighted and got told she wasn't able to use the queue jumping thing. When she asked why, she got told "hearing and visually impaired people can't use it because you're not physically or mentally disabled" Er, what are we classed as then? A sensory impairment is physcial.:rolleyes:

I do know someone else who got told that because her deafblind son is physically capable of walking (ie, doesn't use a walking frame, wheelchair, stick or crutches) and doesn't have ADHD/ASD, they can't use the queue jumping thing.

So, it seems you can only use it if you have a certain disability.

You can get a warm front grant, depending on income - http://www.warmfront.co.uk/