IL Community News

Benefits

The way that the benefits system works is changing. The Welfare Reform Bill is currently going through Parliament, and while we do our best to keep information here up-to-date, you should use it for guidance only.

For confidential advice about benefits that you may be entitled to, as an elderly and/or disabled person or a carer, there is a freephone number to call, the Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) 0800 88 22 00; textphone 0800 24 33 55

The person taking your call will not have your personal papers but will be able to give you general advice. This advice shouldn't be taken as a decision on any matter about which you are making an enquiry.

If you receive benefits, you may be entitled to free home insulation.

Here is a general summary of benefits of particular relevance to carers, older and/or disabled people:

Attendance Allowance (AA) updated October 2011

Bereavement Allowance currently being updated

Bereavement Payment currently being updated

Budgeting Loans currently being updated

Carer's Allowance updated November 2011

Christmas Bonus currently being updated

Cold Weather Payment updated November 2011

Community Care Grants currently being updated

Crisis Loans currently being updated

Direct Payments - Personal Budgets currently being updated

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a person aged 16 or over - updated November 2011

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for a child under 16 - currently being updated

Employment and Support Allowance updated October 2011

Flexible New Deal & New Deal For Disabled People currently being updated

Home Responsibilities Protection currently being updated

Incapacity Benefit currently being updated

Income Support currently being updated

Individual Budgets - Self-Directed Support currently being updated

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents) currently being updated

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (diseases and deafness) currently being updated

Jobseeker's Allowance currently being updated

Over 80 Pension currently being updated

Pension Credit currently being updated

Self-Directed Support (Individual Budgets) currently being updated

Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) currently being updated

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) currently being updated

Temporary stays in a residential care or nursing homecurrently being updated

Travel costs to and from hospital currently being updated

Widowed Parent's Allowance currently being updated

Winter Fuel Payment updated October 2011

Working Tax Credit currently being updated