Money and Benefits

Please telephone the following organisations for support:

• Disability Peterborough (physical disability) 01733 265551
• Citizens Advice Bureau (general) 08001448848
• Age UK (over the age of 60) 01733 564185
• Enabling Independence (learning disability) 01733 530062
• Life Money (can help with mental Health) 01733 314524
• Peterborough City Council (appeal work only but not for Housing Benefits or Council Tax) 01733 296337
• CPSL MIND (mental health) 01733 530651
• Little Miracles (children) 01733 262226
• SSAFA Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (armed forces) 01733 314267

For Free NHS eye tests and vouchers for purchasing glasses, Visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers

If you do not meet these conditions, you can apply under the low income scheme by completing a HC1 form,or Telephone 0300 1230849 for a claim pack.

For NHS dental care Visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/get-help-with-dental-costs/

If you do not meet these conditions, you can apply under the low income scheme by completing a HC1 form, or Telephone 0300 1230849 for a claim pack.

There is no financial test to this reduction. You can get the disability reduction on your council tax bill if you, or anyone else living in your home, is “substantially and permanently disabled” and needs extra space or has adaptations in your home because of this.
Your home must contain either:

• A room other than a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory used predominantly to meet the needs of a disabled person
• An additional kitchen or bathroom for the use of a disabled person
• Extra space inside the property so that a wheelchair can be used

A discount under this scheme can be made in conjunction with any income based council tax support claim.

You should claim a reduction if you think you are entitled by contacting the Peterborough City Council Online www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/council-tax/forms-discounts-exemptions, or by Telephone 01733 747474

You can receive a 25% reduction to your council tax if you live alone. There is no financial test to this reduction and it can be claimed in addition to income based council tax support. Telephone 01733 747474, or Visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/council-tax/forms-discounts-exemptions

A carer can be ignored for council tax and therefore allow the remaining adult in the property to receive a 25% discount as if they were living alone. The carer cannot be the partner or parent and must live in the same property as the person they care for. It can be claimed in addition to any income-based council tax support. Telephone 01733 747474, or Visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/council-tax/forms-discounts-exemptions#discount-for-carers-and-care-workers

This can apply to anyone who has a permanent and severe level of impairment in intelligence, affecting their ability to manage everyday activities. It is not means tested. The exemption can be claimed in addition to any income based council tax support. Complete the application Online, or Telephone 01733 747474 for an application form.

You may receive Child Tax Credit if you or your partner has a dependent child or young person and you have a low enough income. Partner means that you are either married, have a civil partner or are living with someone as part of a couple. You do not have to be working to receive Child Tax Credit. Telephone 0845 3003900

You can claim Working Tax Credit if you are working (or will be starting work within 7 days of claiming Working Tax Credit), on a low enough income, and are working and have a physical or mental disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job. Telephone 0845 3003900

Anyone who is registered as blind with their local authority will automatically qualify for blind person’s allowance. You will need to make a claim for the allowance, (£1,800 for 2008/09), either by completing the relevant box on your tax return or repayment claim, or by contacting your tax office. You can also transfer any surplus blind person’s allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner to reduce their tax. Telephone 0845 3021479

Carer’s Allowance is a payment for carers who spend at least 35 hours per week looking after someone who receives Attendance Allowance, the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, or the daily living element of Personal Independence Payment.

As of April 2021, the weekly amount of Carers Allowance is set at £67.60 per week and can be claimed from the age of 16 as long as the carer is not in full-time education. A wage limit currently set at £128 after tax and deductions for National insurance applies to this benefit.

Carer’s Allowance can affect both your own benefits and that of the person you are looking after so it is always important to seek independent advice before claiming. People of pension age are strongly advised to seek advice as they could miss out on underlying entitlements.

Contact our trained and experienced advisors by Telephone 01733 265551, or Email info@disabilitypeterborough.org

The carer can be a family member or friend, as long as they provide 35 hours a week of care and support to the person they look after. The carer does not need to live with the person they care for in order to claim Carer’s Allowance.

You can claim Carer’s Allowance Online www.gov.uk/carers-allowance, or Telephone DWP 0800 7310297 for a claim pack.

Visit grants for students aged 16 and over in school and further education to find grants for disabled students.

The Department For Education’s report “Evaluation of disabled students’ allowances” is available here.

Also Visit Help if you are a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability

Disability Rights UK has a number of useful education related factsheets including applying for a Disabled Students Allowance. Visit www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline

Disabled Students’ Allowances:

• The average amount granted is £500 per student
• There is no deadline for DSA applications, but it can take up to 14 weeks to get the support in place
• Students are entitled to the allowance regardless of the institution they attend
• The allowance is neither means-tested nor repayable
• Students needing software are expected to pay the first £200 – the minimum cost any student is likely to incur when buying a computer

Disability Rights UK’s Disabled Student’s Helpline is 0330 995 0414

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a national debt counselling charity with a network of 72 centres based in local churches. You do NOT need to be a Christian to use this service. After you call CAP, a Debt Advisor and Support Worker from the local CAP Centre will discuss your debts with you. A realistic budget is then worked out by prioritising your essential bills, negotiating affordable payments with each creditor and stopping unfair interest and charges where possible. The local Debt Advisor will then explain the budget and the payments you will need to make.

If you are in severe debt, then they can advise you on insolvency, like petitioning for bankruptcy.

Telephone 01733 327026, Email peterborough@capuk.org,
or Visit www.capuk.org

Stepchange offers free confidential debt advice and money guidance. They can offer a wide range of debt solutions based on your individual circumstances.

Telephone 0800 138 1111, or Visit www.stepchange.org

National Debtline is a national telephone helpline for people with debt problems in England, Wales and Scotland. The service is free, confidential and independent. They are committed to answering your call and then discussing your debt problems with you and the options available to you. The specialist advice that they give over the telephone is backed up with written self-help materials which they can send out to you for free. If your circumstances meet certain criteria, they can assist in setting up a Debt Management Plan for you, at no cost.

Telephone 0808 808 4000