New research has found that the majority of people needing assistance to make payments due to illness, capability or mobility challenges, are putting themselves at risk of fraud by sharing their card and PIN. More than half of those surveyed were also not aware of each of the safer options to make payments, such as a prepaid card or opening up a second account. To help these consumers, a new Pay Your Way consumer advice guide from the Payments Council sets out payment
options to help people stay in control of their financial affairs, when making payments independently or visiting the bank or ATM is difficult. Visit http://www.payyourway. org.uk/faqs/guides/ managing-payments/ to download the “Pay Your Way” Guide
Different conditions, different backgrounds and different experiences.
Showing posts with label Benefits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benefits. Show all posts
Friday, 31 July 2015
Access to Work.
The number of disabled people being helped by Access to Work is up by over 10% on last year, according to the DWP. The Department says that new figures show that nearly 10,000 new disabled people claimed support from the scheme last year, which provides financial help towards the extra costs faced by disabled people at work, such as support workers, specialist aids and equipment and travel to work support. For more information about Access to Work visit: https://www.gov.uk/ access-to-work/overview
Access to Work.
The number of disabled people being helped by Access to Work is up by over 10% on last year, according to the DWP. The Department says that new figures show that nearly 10,000 new disabled people claimed support from the scheme last year, which provides financial help towards the extra costs faced by disabled people at work, such as support workers, specialist aids and equipment and travel to work support. For more information about Access to Work visit: https://www.gov.uk/ access-to-work/overview
The Care Act 2015
Seven years in the making, the new Care Act came in to place on the 1st April this year, with the intention of creating a clearer, fairer system of care, putting people in control of the way they are supported.
The Care Act means that local authorities now have increased responsibility for those who require care in their area. They have to carry out assessments for those who request them and provide a personalised budget. The focus of the new legislation is very much on the individual and making sure that disabled people have control over their lives and the support they get.
The main points of the new Care Act are:
To find out how the Care Act will affect your care package contact your local authority.
The Care Act means that local authorities now have increased responsibility for those who require care in their area. They have to carry out assessments for those who request them and provide a personalised budget. The focus of the new legislation is very much on the individual and making sure that disabled people have control over their lives and the support they get.
The main points of the new Care Act are:
- Wellbeing. The main focus of the Act is the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of those who need social care support, with personalisation and individual budgets at the centre.
- Accessing information. Local authorities now have a duty to provide an information and advice service to anyone applying for, or who already receives care.
- The right to an assessment. Disabled people and carers have the right to be assessed for support, whatever their personal or financial circumstances. There’s a new set of minimum criteria that indicates when local authorities have to provide support.
- A personalised plan. If you qualify for care, local authorities legally have to provide you with a personalised care plan to achieve agreed outcomes, detailing the costs involved.
- Payment. Authorities have to carry out a financial assessment to see whether or not you have to contribute towards the cost of your care.
- Advocacy. People with communication or learning difficulties are now entitled to be represented by an independent advocate.
- Tougher Criteria. Care providers will now be subject to tougher guidelines and the consequences will be stricter for those who aren’t meeting the mark.
- More help for carers. Under the Act carers have increased rights. Also, an amendment to the Children and Families Act 2014 means that those looking after a disabled child under the age of 18 are now entitled to support too.
Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust opens office in Chester Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust (formerly Cheshire Carers Centre) have recently opened a new office in the new charity hub in Chester City Centre. Based in The Bluecoat School on Upper Northgate Street, they now have a team of 6 working in their newly refurbished offices. The new offices will enable carers to drop in for information, advice and support, and make appointments for benefits advice or Personal Budgets.
The office can be reached on 01244 400502 or via email westcheshire@ cheshirecarerscentre.org.uk
For advice in Cheshire East contact The Care Act Helpline T 01260 288 353 www.adviceCE.org.uk 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
For advice in Cheshire East contact The Care Act Helpline T 01260 288 353 www.adviceCE.org.uk 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
To find out how the Care Act will affect your care package contact your local authority.
Flintshire disability Forum (FDF)
Offers:
- Wheelchair and walker hire
- Information and Advice
- Outreach Information Service
- Volunteering Opportunities in a supportive environment
- Social group activities and outings.
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 10am–1pm, Friday 9.30am–12.30
Old Town Hall, Earl Road, Mold, CH7 1AB
Tel. 01352 755546 E.mail admin@flintshirehiredisability.org
Old Town Hall, Earl Road, Mold, CH7 1AB
Tel. 01352 755546 E.mail admin@flintshirehiredisability.org
Beware of dental charges when in receipt of ESA - Karen Pritchard
I am sharing my recent experience of dental care whilst in receipt of ESA, to make you aware of what happened to me so I can prevent this happening to others in our community. On my last routine dental check I was asked by the receptionist if I was in receipt of ESA to claim free dental care. I explained that I was and I signed the relevant form.
I thought nothing more of this, until a few weeks later when I received a letter from the NHS Business Services Authority, with a penalty notice charge of £65 and a further £13 for my unpaid NHS dental treatment! As you imagine I was completely shocked.
I approached the dental Practice Manager and she declined to accept any responsibility over the matter. She informed me that to claim free dental care I needed to be on Income based ESA and not Contribution based ESA. At this point it was too late as I had a bill waiting to be paid. I even provided the dental receptionist with proof of my ESA, as requested, and asked her to take a copy, but she said she didn’t need to.
Had I thought for one minute that I was not entitled to free dental care then of course I would not have signed the form. I was simply asked if I was on ESA and when I replied that I was, I was asked to sign the form.
With the threat of a County Court Judgment or legal action, I paid my bill. Luckily, after continually fighting my case and also explaining my health issues to the board I finally had my money returned.
Please be aware the next time you sign a form with your dentist ask all the relevant questions and take all the time you need to read the form. Don’t feel rushed like I did. The Practice Manager did inform me that her staff needed training regarding this issue, so hopefully the fact that I have highlighted this problem to them, will prevent this happening to another patient at my practice.
I thought nothing more of this, until a few weeks later when I received a letter from the NHS Business Services Authority, with a penalty notice charge of £65 and a further £13 for my unpaid NHS dental treatment! As you imagine I was completely shocked.
I approached the dental Practice Manager and she declined to accept any responsibility over the matter. She informed me that to claim free dental care I needed to be on Income based ESA and not Contribution based ESA. At this point it was too late as I had a bill waiting to be paid. I even provided the dental receptionist with proof of my ESA, as requested, and asked her to take a copy, but she said she didn’t need to.
Had I thought for one minute that I was not entitled to free dental care then of course I would not have signed the form. I was simply asked if I was on ESA and when I replied that I was, I was asked to sign the form.
With the threat of a County Court Judgment or legal action, I paid my bill. Luckily, after continually fighting my case and also explaining my health issues to the board I finally had my money returned.
Please be aware the next time you sign a form with your dentist ask all the relevant questions and take all the time you need to read the form. Don’t feel rushed like I did. The Practice Manager did inform me that her staff needed training regarding this issue, so hopefully the fact that I have highlighted this problem to them, will prevent this happening to another patient at my practice.
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Important Benefit Informaton– for DLA claimants born on or before 8th April 1948
Changes to contact numbers for those claimants of DLA who were born on or before the 8th April 1948.
From 25th February 2015 claimants in receipt of Disability Living Allowance whose date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948 will transfer to the Attendance Allowance Unit. The reason for this is because claimants in receipt of DLA who are 65 years of age or older do not need to be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment. It has therefore been decided that all pensioners in receipt of a disability benefit should now be dealt with by the Pension Service.
As a result from the 25th February claimants in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or before 8th April 1948 should contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0345 (0845) 605 6055.
Those in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or after the 9th April 1948 should continue to contact the DLA Helpline 0345 (0845) 7123456.
Claimants calling the DLA Helpline will hear a message advising them to contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre if their date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948.
Gov.uk will be updated to reflect these changes.
The Personal Independence Payment Enquiry Helpline will continue with its existing number 0845 850 3322 whilst new claims to PIP can be made by calling 0800 917 2222.
New website focus on technology enabled products - www.telmenow.com
The website is the brainchild of a company established to highlight and create opportunities for leading-edge health technology to help more people live independently in their own homes. In many cases, the biggest barrier is not cost, it is accessibility. Visit: www.telmenow.com/ for easier and more comprehensive access to technology for independent living. Tbhe site brings together information
about the range of assistive technologies available, the people and their conditions that items would be suitable for and, crucially, whether selected products will work together.
From 25th February 2015 claimants in receipt of Disability Living Allowance whose date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948 will transfer to the Attendance Allowance Unit. The reason for this is because claimants in receipt of DLA who are 65 years of age or older do not need to be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment. It has therefore been decided that all pensioners in receipt of a disability benefit should now be dealt with by the Pension Service.
As a result from the 25th February claimants in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or before 8th April 1948 should contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0345 (0845) 605 6055.
Those in receipt of DLA whose date of birth is on or after the 9th April 1948 should continue to contact the DLA Helpline 0345 (0845) 7123456.
Claimants calling the DLA Helpline will hear a message advising them to contact the Attendance Allowance Service Centre if their date of birth is on or before the 8th April 1948.
Gov.uk will be updated to reflect these changes.
The Personal Independence Payment Enquiry Helpline will continue with its existing number 0845 850 3322 whilst new claims to PIP can be made by calling 0800 917 2222.
New website focus on technology enabled products - www.telmenow.com
The website is the brainchild of a company established to highlight and create opportunities for leading-edge health technology to help more people live independently in their own homes. In many cases, the biggest barrier is not cost, it is accessibility. Visit: www.telmenow.com/ for easier and more comprehensive access to technology for independent living. Tbhe site brings together information
about the range of assistive technologies available, the people and their conditions that items would be suitable for and, crucially, whether selected products will work together.
Sunday, 30 November 2014
PIP Update
The DWP accepts that the delays faced by some people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are unacceptable, and they are looking at a number of ways to clearing the back logs and improve processing times. They have increased the number of health professionals and administrative staff that the employ, new assessment centres have been opened and they have made changes to the IT tools that support assessments. By the end of 2014, they expect no one to be waiting longer then 16 weeks. (it has been 26 weeks).
For more information. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-claim-process-overview-the-claimant-journey
For more information. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-claim-process-overview-the-claimant-journey
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