Benefits FAQs
My mother is going into hospital soon and she is worried that her state retirement pension will be reduced if she is in for more than six weeks. Is this correct?
Under the new rules, there will be no reduction in benefits until a pensioner has been in hospital for a year.
It is worth noting that other benefits are affected by extended stays in hospital. To find out more, contact NEDCAB.
It has been extremely cold recently. Should I get extra money to cover my heating costs? I am on benefit.
In addition to the winter fuel allowance which people over the age of 60 receive, some people on benefits can receive extra money when the weather has been exceptionally cold.
The government has announced that cold weather payments of £8.50 per week will be made from the social fund. They should be paid automatically to those in receipt of income support or income based jobseekers allowance and who have a child under 5 years old, or who receive a disability or pensioner premium. Only one payment will be paid per household. If you think you are entitled but have not received a payment, you should write to your local social security office or contact CAB.
Is it true that I will have to have a bank account in order for my benefit to be paid to me?
The government has decided that by 2005 all benefits (including state retirement pensions) and tax credits should be paid direct into the claimants bank, building society or post office account. Order books and giro-cheques will not be available to anyone after 2005.
My husband has had a severe stroke, which has left him partially paralysed with many associated problems. He is now home from hospital and whilst his consultant thinks there is some chance of his condition improving with intensive therapy, at the moment and for the foreseeable future he needs almost 24 hour care. Although I am nearly 70, I am still quite fit and able, so I am planning to look after him at home, perhaps with some occasional help from others. Social workers have told me my husband will be eligible for certain benefits, but I wonder whether I am entitled to any help as his main carer?
You may be able to claim carers allowance. This is a weekly benefit for someone caring for a person who is severely disabled. Previously this would not have been an option for someone over 65, but you may be eligible despite your age, provided your husband gets one of a number of disability benefits. These are the care components of disability living allowance at the middle or higher rate, attendance allowance, or constant attendance allowance paid with a war pension or industrial disablement benefit.
Carers allowance is not means tested, and you can claim it even if you've never worked. However, if you receive any means tested benefits, such as income support, carers allowance will be counted as income when these are calculated. If you receive the full amount of state retirement pension in your own right you will not be able to get carers allowance, however, whether or not carers allowance is payable, if you have claimed it and are otherwise eligible, you are entitled to an additional carer's premium when working out any income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit.
Last updated: March 20, 2007