I am on income support as a carers I would like to know what can I get out of it ?

BeaSTxUK

hello everyone i am on income support and I am a carer for an older person taking care of her. i would like to know what can I get out of my income support for example any discounts for gym or study or travel or holiday or anything please can you help me ? i really want to know anything that i should get out of my income support because i never got anything out of it i will wait for your replies back thank you.

Blindsided_2

Em? What can you get out of it? A poor excuse for a wage for someone caring full Time?
Other that that not much. holidays? I don't think so, well in all my years of caring I have never received a holiday...not that I expect one.

thorsoak

What do you expect to get out of being a carer? Are you caring for a member of your family?

To be honest, your post sounds as if you want to profit from it! Sadly - this won't happen.

Poppie68

You get benefits in return for your choices...

nannytone_2

if you accompany the person you care for, you may get discounted rates at some venues.
1/3 off rail travel, if the person you care for has a disabled persons railcard ( again, you must be accompanying them)
local gyms/leisure facilities may do concessionary rate for people receiving benefits ( mine doesn't)

nannytone_2

Poppie68 wrote: »

You get benefits in return for your choices...

a lot of the time it isn't a choice though. it is a necessity

TELLIT01

Income Support can provide access to other benefits such as free prescriptions etc but I'm not aware of any companies which offer discounts. Local Authority run leisure centres may give discounts.

dippy3103

What you get out of your income support is your living cost & possibly housing benefit/ council tax benefit.

Carers do an amazing job, but it's not going to turn you a profit

kingfisherblue

In some areas, carers can receive a grant towards a weekend away or some other leisure activity. I believe that you have to be registered with your local carer's centre, but I'm not certain. It is the carer's centre that administers the grants.


Carer's centres can also offer emotional support and may have support groups. Some have free short courses on practical aspects such as Lifting and handling, Dementia, and Understanding benefits. They may also have leisure courses such as card making.


There are a few charities that provide holidays (or grants for holidays) for carers, but obviously they have strict criteria, and for some you need a referral from a doctor or Social Services. You would presumably have to arrange suitable care for the period that you are away.


If the person you care for has a CEA card, someone can accompany them free of charge to the cinema. It cannot be used for the carer to attend alone.


You might be able to study part time (full time students cannot receive CA). Fees might be reduced or waived, depending on the course provider and possibly taking into account any previous education. You would have to check with your local college to see what they offer. Community centres also sometimes have courses that you could attend. WEA is a course provider that uses community centres. I believe that they waive fees if on certain benefits - you have to provide proof. A number of these courses don't lead to qualifications.


The Open University has a number of online courses that anyone can access free of charge, but they do not lead to a qualification.

merlin68

Income support can passport you to quiet a bit.
I for one get half price water, you can also register for the warm front discount if your the bill payer. Theres bt basic which is a cheaper phone line. pdsa if you have pets. Free dental and perscriptions.
Most places admit the carer free when your with the disabled person.
Our council gym only charge £27 a month and no joining free if on benefits.
Cant think of anything else at the moment.

nannytone_2

merlin68 wrote: »

Income support can passport you to quiet a bit.
I for one get half price water, you can also register for the warm front discount if your the bill payer. Theres bt basic which is a cheaper phone line. pdsa if you have pets. Free dental and perscriptions.
Most places admit the carer free when your with the disabled person.
Our council gym only charge £27 a month and no joining free if on benefits.
Cant think of anything else at the moment.

£27 a month for a council run gym as a concessionary price?
i only pay £24 a month to a well known chain and that includes swimming/sauna/steam room/2 jacuzzi's and all classes ( should i want to take them)
this is the standard price.
my local council run gym is a room with around a dozen pieces of equipment, some free weights and a few classes a week. the don't give concessionary prices and charge £32 a month