Hynt is a new national access scheme that works with theatres and arts centres in Wales to make sure there is a consistent offer available for visitors with an impairment or specific access requirement, and their carers or personal assistants. The site will tell you all you need to know about Hynt: who it’s for; what it provides; and how to become a member.
Members are entitled to a free-of-charge ticket for their personal assistant or carer when attending performances at any of the Hynt theatres or arts centres.
Visit www.hynt.co.uk to search venues shows and accessibility. contact: info@hynt.co.uk
Different conditions, different backgrounds and different experiences.
Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finance. Show all posts
Monday, 27 November 2017
Monday, 1 May 2017
Help with your Energy Supply
Signing up with the Priority Services Register for older and disabled people available in England entitles you to a range of support such as advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted and priority reconnection if your supply is interrupted. If they cannot connect you they will provide alternative facilities for cooking and heating if your supply is interrupted. If you own your own home you may be entitled to annual gas safety checks and they can also provide advice about being more energy-efficient.
If reading your meter is difficult they will move your meter free of charge or provide a free quarterly meter reading and if it helps copies of the bill can be sent to a relative, carer or friend. They will register you with a password protection scheme to keep you safe and protect you from cold callers. To sign up to the PSR you will need to contact your supplier. Remember if you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, you’ll need to call them both and you’ll need to register again if you change your energy supplier.
If reading your meter is difficult they will move your meter free of charge or provide a free quarterly meter reading and if it helps copies of the bill can be sent to a relative, carer or friend. They will register you with a password protection scheme to keep you safe and protect you from cold callers. To sign up to the PSR you will need to contact your supplier. Remember if you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, you’ll need to call them both and you’ll need to register again if you change your energy supplier.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Saga Respite Trust - respite for older carers
More than six million people in the UK provide unpaid care to their loved ones. This figure is expected to rise to around nine million in the next 25 years.
Many provide much needed care 24 hours a day with little or no opportunity for a short break, let alone a holiday.
Carers often put their own lives, careers, health and relationships on hold in order to look after relatives. The Saga Respite for Carers Trust was set up to try and help redress the balance by providing a much needed holiday for the carer and a friend. The award also includes spending money and if required the payment of professional respite care for their loved ones to ensure continuity of care.
Award winners come from all over the UK, with most looking to the sun for a chance to recharge their batteries, while others choose to remain in the UK, visiting parts of the country they have longed to see but put on hold while caring for their loved one.
Are you a carer in need of a break?
The period for submitting nominations for 2016 is now open, and will close on 31st August 2016.
The carer should be aged 50 or over, not be a professional carer and have been caring for someone for more than a year without having taken a significant holiday away within the last year.
You can apply yourself or nominate someone you think deserves it. For details, visit: www.saga.co.uk/saga-charitable-foundation.aspx, or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Saga Respite for Carers Trust, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE, and a paper form will be sent out to you.
If you are thinking of applying for this you will also want to consider a carer’s assessment to look at the different ways that caring affects your life and work out how you can carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family. For more information contact your local council.
Many provide much needed care 24 hours a day with little or no opportunity for a short break, let alone a holiday.
Carers often put their own lives, careers, health and relationships on hold in order to look after relatives. The Saga Respite for Carers Trust was set up to try and help redress the balance by providing a much needed holiday for the carer and a friend. The award also includes spending money and if required the payment of professional respite care for their loved ones to ensure continuity of care.
Award winners come from all over the UK, with most looking to the sun for a chance to recharge their batteries, while others choose to remain in the UK, visiting parts of the country they have longed to see but put on hold while caring for their loved one.
Are you a carer in need of a break?
The period for submitting nominations for 2016 is now open, and will close on 31st August 2016.
The carer should be aged 50 or over, not be a professional carer and have been caring for someone for more than a year without having taken a significant holiday away within the last year.
You can apply yourself or nominate someone you think deserves it. For details, visit: www.saga.co.uk/saga-charitable-foundation.aspx, or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Saga Respite for Carers Trust, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE, and a paper form will be sent out to you.
If you are thinking of applying for this you will also want to consider a carer’s assessment to look at the different ways that caring affects your life and work out how you can carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family. For more information contact your local council.
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
Dealing with Disability and Debt by Karen Pritchard
So Christmas is over. We all possibly felt the pressure to spend more money at that time of year, increasing our money worries.
Having a disability can make us more vulnerable to debt, more so in this current economic climate. Either we struggle to borrow money or we turn to our friends, family or other means.
Increasing your income
The first step is to look at your income. Being disabled you may have additional costs, for instance, paying for carers, making adaptations to your home or the extra travel costs in attending hospital appointments. Not all people claim their full entitlement as the stress and hassle of this can be too much to bear. Some aspects of disabilities may make it more difficult for a person to manage their money well. Your disability may entitle you to financial help with some of these areas to ease your debt problems. Denise Boyall, the NMC support worker, can point you in the right direction.
Reducing your debt
So many of us push aside our concerns when it comes to debt. We may find it extra difficult to cope with facing this issue as we focus on other aspects that are directly affected by coping day to day with our disability, but as with anyone, ignoring the issue will only worsen the situation. Even if your income is low or you don’t have a job, there are steps you can take to help.
Contact your lenders
This is an important step if you get into difficulty repaying your debt. They won’t waive your debt but they may help you renegotiate your borrowing and could reduce the money you need to pay back each month to a more achievable level. If you have loaned money from friends or family try to discuss your difficulties with them. It may help them to understand your situation. Although this can be difficult it is best to be upfront about it.
Determine your budget
Total up your weekly or monthly earnings, as well as any benefits you receive, along with everything you spend money on during this period. Identify non-essential areas where you can cut back on your spending. Determine how much you spend on your accommodation, secured debts that could mean you losing your home, council tax, utility bills, food and anything that relates to your disability. Pay for these expenses first and then see how much money is left over for other items including unsecured loans. Don’t consider borrowing money to pay off your existing loans. If your expenditure exceeds your income seek advice about managing this situation.
Ask for help
Speaking with an impartial debt advisor will allow them to tailor a plan to your individual needs to help clear your debts. It is also very important to seek advice on whether you are receiving all the financial assistance that you are entitled to. Professional advice on dealing with your debts is always available free of charge from the contacts below. Once you face the reality of your debt and get the help you need, you have taken the first steps to taking back control of your life.
Useful contacts
National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.org Tel: 0808 808 4000 www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/ overview Step Change: www.StepChange.org
Having a disability can make us more vulnerable to debt, more so in this current economic climate. Either we struggle to borrow money or we turn to our friends, family or other means.
Increasing your income
The first step is to look at your income. Being disabled you may have additional costs, for instance, paying for carers, making adaptations to your home or the extra travel costs in attending hospital appointments. Not all people claim their full entitlement as the stress and hassle of this can be too much to bear. Some aspects of disabilities may make it more difficult for a person to manage their money well. Your disability may entitle you to financial help with some of these areas to ease your debt problems. Denise Boyall, the NMC support worker, can point you in the right direction.
Reducing your debt
So many of us push aside our concerns when it comes to debt. We may find it extra difficult to cope with facing this issue as we focus on other aspects that are directly affected by coping day to day with our disability, but as with anyone, ignoring the issue will only worsen the situation. Even if your income is low or you don’t have a job, there are steps you can take to help.
Contact your lenders
This is an important step if you get into difficulty repaying your debt. They won’t waive your debt but they may help you renegotiate your borrowing and could reduce the money you need to pay back each month to a more achievable level. If you have loaned money from friends or family try to discuss your difficulties with them. It may help them to understand your situation. Although this can be difficult it is best to be upfront about it.
Determine your budget
Total up your weekly or monthly earnings, as well as any benefits you receive, along with everything you spend money on during this period. Identify non-essential areas where you can cut back on your spending. Determine how much you spend on your accommodation, secured debts that could mean you losing your home, council tax, utility bills, food and anything that relates to your disability. Pay for these expenses first and then see how much money is left over for other items including unsecured loans. Don’t consider borrowing money to pay off your existing loans. If your expenditure exceeds your income seek advice about managing this situation.
Ask for help
Speaking with an impartial debt advisor will allow them to tailor a plan to your individual needs to help clear your debts. It is also very important to seek advice on whether you are receiving all the financial assistance that you are entitled to. Professional advice on dealing with your debts is always available free of charge from the contacts below. Once you face the reality of your debt and get the help you need, you have taken the first steps to taking back control of your life.
Useful contacts
National Debtline: www.nationaldebtline.org Tel: 0808 808 4000 www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/ overview Step Change: www.StepChange.org
Friday, 31 July 2015
New delegating payments guide
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
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
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.
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.
Lasting Power of Attorney – Sue Walker
Lasting Power of Attorney
After recently attending training, and then having to assist my mother with setting up lasting power of attorney, I thought it would be a good time to pass on some information and experience.
There are two types of LPA and you can set up one or both types:
1. The property and affairs LPA which allows the attorney you appoint to deal with your property and finances, as you specify.
2. The health and welfare LPA which allows the attorney you appoint to make health and welfare care decisions on your behalf, only when you lack the
mental capacity to do so yourself.
Your Attorneys
It is important that you take care to appoint attorneys that are trustworthy and have the appropriate skills to make any proposed decisions. It is a good idea to appoint more than one attorney so that they can act jointly on your behalf and responsibility is shared.
Certificate Providers
This can be one or two persons. They sign as witnesses to show that you understand the LPA, and they also provide statements to say how they know you and that you are able to make this decision for yourself, and are not being put under undue pressure.
Named persons
These are people that you want informing that you are registering LPA so they can raise concerns if needed. If you have two certificate providers you do not need to have any named persons because already there are joint responsibilities for decision making.
Setting up LPA
Setting up LPA does not mean that you give up control and it will only be used when circumstances, and you, decide it is needed. If LPA is not in place when it may be needed the Court of Protection will appoint a deputy to act on your behalf.
If you leave it and you are not able to make the decision yourself it becomes very difficult and expensive.
To set up your LPA you can:
We had two people who have known my mother a long time to be certificate providers. They needed to say how they knew Mum, how long they had known her and that she was making this decision herself. As a family we decided to only apply for the property and affairs LPA. In our circumstances we didn’t need the health and welfare LPA. We had a small problem where the certificate provider had written a separate letter and it should have been on the form, and as a consequence we had to match up the dates to the original documents. The court official was great with advice and it did not cost us anything extra. My mother now has LPA and is relieved that we can support her.
Please note that LPA has completely replaced the existing enduring power of attorney because the new powers include Health as well as Property and Affairs.
Two Useful websites: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview www.which.co.uk/power-of-attorney
After recently attending training, and then having to assist my mother with setting up lasting power of attorney, I thought it would be a good time to pass on some information and experience.
There are two types of LPA and you can set up one or both types:
1. The property and affairs LPA which allows the attorney you appoint to deal with your property and finances, as you specify.
2. The health and welfare LPA which allows the attorney you appoint to make health and welfare care decisions on your behalf, only when you lack the
mental capacity to do so yourself.
Your Attorneys
It is important that you take care to appoint attorneys that are trustworthy and have the appropriate skills to make any proposed decisions. It is a good idea to appoint more than one attorney so that they can act jointly on your behalf and responsibility is shared.
Certificate Providers
This can be one or two persons. They sign as witnesses to show that you understand the LPA, and they also provide statements to say how they know you and that you are able to make this decision for yourself, and are not being put under undue pressure.
Named persons
These are people that you want informing that you are registering LPA so they can raise concerns if needed. If you have two certificate providers you do not need to have any named persons because already there are joint responsibilities for decision making.
Setting up LPA
Setting up LPA does not mean that you give up control and it will only be used when circumstances, and you, decide it is needed. If LPA is not in place when it may be needed the Court of Protection will appoint a deputy to act on your behalf.
If you leave it and you are not able to make the decision yourself it becomes very difficult and expensive.
To set up your LPA you can:
- Work with a solicitor - legal fees on average £350 - £500 + vat. In addition the court fees are £110 per document (one for property & affairs, one for health & welfare)
- Another option is to download the forms from the internet, complete them yourselves and send them to the Court of Protection. The cost is just the court fees £110 per document. Keep photocopies of all the documents in the event of any issues.
We had two people who have known my mother a long time to be certificate providers. They needed to say how they knew Mum, how long they had known her and that she was making this decision herself. As a family we decided to only apply for the property and affairs LPA. In our circumstances we didn’t need the health and welfare LPA. We had a small problem where the certificate provider had written a separate letter and it should have been on the form, and as a consequence we had to match up the dates to the original documents. The court official was great with advice and it did not cost us anything extra. My mother now has LPA and is relieved that we can support her.
Please note that LPA has completely replaced the existing enduring power of attorney because the new powers include Health as well as Property and Affairs.
Two Useful websites: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview www.which.co.uk/power-of-attorney
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
VAT Relief on substantially and permanently adapted vehicles.
For some time now the Disabled Motorists Federation has been working with HM Revenue and Customs on problems with VAT tax relief on heavily adapted vehicles. This isn't just Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs for short), but includes vehicles fitted with hand controls, swivel seats, hoists and car top stowage etc. Under the existing rules, if you are on the higher rate of Mobility Allowance, and a wheelchair user who wishes to purchase a new vehicle, provided it has to be modified and you tell the garage at the time of placing your order, then you will qualify for full VAT relief on the vehicle and on all subsequent servicing. A very big concession indeed.
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