Advantages for carers guidance.

dizzmad

Hello Everyone,

Last year I received a diagnosis and I am now classed as disabled. I have not given up work and I don't receive any benefits. There are certain things I am not allowed to do on my own now and need a carer with me. I am writing to ask if you know of any advantages for carers that aren't benefits related - someone said I should have received a leaflet, but I didn't.

Things I already know about / have:
1) CEA card.
2) I get half price gym at my local council leisure centre and my carer goes for free.
3) I get a free bus pass.
4) Financial help to get me to and from work (I can no longer drive) from the Access to Work scheme - only eligible as I don't receive benefits.
5) Free entry to theme parks and zoos etc - but don't know of anything local / non day trip-y. Also, I have never tried this - I don't have any benefits forms etc, so don't know how you go about receiving this for your carer??

If there is anything you know of that could make life a little bit easier / cheaper that would be great! :j I don't have an official carer so rope in other people when necessary, if there are schemes out there to help out, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Leanne

pmlindyloo

dizzmad wrote: »

Hello Everyone,

Last year I received a diagnosis and I am now classed as disabled. I have not given up work and I don't receive any benefits. There are certain things I am not allowed to do on my own now and need a carer with me. I am writing to ask if you know of any advantages for carers that aren't benefits related - someone said I should have received a leaflet, but I didn't.

Things I already know about / have:
1) CEA card.
2) I get half price gym at my local council leisure centre and my carer goes for free.
3) I get a free bus pass.
4) Financial help to get me to and from work (I can no longer drive) from the Access to Work scheme - only eligible as I don't receive benefits.
5) Free entry to theme parks and zoos etc - but don't know of anything local / non day trip-y. Also, I have never tried this - I don't have any benefits forms etc, so don't know how you go about receiving this for your carer??

If there is anything you know of that could make life a little bit easier / cheaper that would be great! :j I don't have an official carer so rope in other people when necessary, if there are schemes out there to help out, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Leanne

The best thing to do is to google your local large town plus 'concessions for carers'.

Typical website:

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carerconcessions

Another way forward is to decide where you would like to go, telephone and ask if they do concessions. They may not advertise but might make the concession if you ask!

DomRavioli

dizzmad wrote: »

Hello Everyone,

Last year I received a diagnosis and I am now classed as disabled. I have not given up work and I don't receive any benefits. There are certain things I am not allowed to do on my own now and need a carer with me. I am writing to ask if you know of any advantages for carers that aren't benefits related - someone said I should have received a leaflet, but I didn't.

Things I already know about / have:
1) CEA card.
2) I get half price gym at my local council leisure centre and my carer goes for free.
3) I get a free bus pass.
4) Financial help to get me to and from work (I can no longer drive) from the Access to Work scheme - only eligible as I don't receive benefits.
5) Free entry to theme parks and zoos etc - but don't know of anything local / non day trip-y. Also, I have never tried this - I don't have any benefits forms etc, so don't know how you go about receiving this for your carer??

If there is anything you know of that could make life a little bit easier / cheaper that would be great! :j I don't have an official carer so rope in other people when necessary, if there are schemes out there to help out, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Leanne

For point 5, it is only usually valid if you have proof of your disability, which is usually in the form of a DLA/PIP award letter; you would need to contact the individual places well in advance to check their policy, but everywhere I've been, has asked to see my DLA award letter.

If you don't currently get DLA, you would need to make a new claim for PIP, but please check the descriptors before you apply (a quick google will give you more information) and be aware that they are currently on around 6 months turnaround, longer if you need a medical.

rogerblack

As a general point - there really isn't a 'classed as disabled' anymore.
Other than being paid DLA/PIP/AA, there is no one generally recognised disability covering all aspects of life entitling one to all 'disabled' services.

'registering as disabled' or being on the disability register was a thing that mostly went away in 1996, when the disability discrimination act came in, to replace the 'disabled persons employment act 1944'.
Service providers (not just employers) are required to provide reasonable adaptations to their services to anyone meeting the (broad) definition of disability in the act.

LocoLoco

It's always worth asking anywhere that charges an entrance fee whether they do discounts for disabled/carers, we've found quite a few places that don't advertise it but knock a bit of money off when you get there.


Evidence can be tricky, though, as different places ask for different proof sometimes. I carry a DLA letter, doctor's letter and Carer's Allowance letter (copies) in my bag and that usually covers us for anything, in your situation perhaps a doctor's letter explaining that you need assistance for certain things would suffice? I generally get a new doctor's letter once a year, perhaps if you gave him or her a list of the things that you need help with they could write it up for you and then you can just get a new one on an annual basis?


Have you looked into claiming PIP? You might be entitled to something. I know a lot of people feel they don't want to claim if they work but it can be useful to get a little extra now and put it away in case you need it further down the line?


Hope that helps