Bromley Mencap Support for families in Transition Gill Eldridge - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Support for families in Transition

Gill Eldridge Family Services and Brokerage Manager 0208 466 0790 gill.eldridge@bromleymencap.org

Bromley Mencap

Support for families in Transition

• 3 Family Support Workers including 1

for people with Cerebral palsy

• Provide support around Welfare

Benefits including form filling service: – Disability Living Allowance – Employment and Support Allowance, Housing/Council Tax, – Job Seekers Allowance .

• Undertake regular benefits training

provided by LASA (London Advice Services Alliance).

Bromley Mencap

Support for families in Transition

• Help to claim Community Care Grants
• Access to Funder Finder (help to find

appropriate grant giving organisations)

• Assistance and information around

support planning/ personal budgets and direct payments

• Note taking at meetings with schools,

social services etc

• Information on housing website and

leisure

Bromley Mencap

Support for families in Transition

• Letter writing, phone calls, following up

from meetings

• Support at assessments,

doctors/hospital appointments

• Planning for the future – information

around Wills and Trusts.

• Facilitate workshops and activity days

each year for this age group.

• Referrals to our Buddying project.

Bromley Mencap

Support for families in Transition

• Our “helpline” is available from 9am to

5pm Monday to Friday.

• Our support workers do try to be as

flexible as possible and can sometimes see families outside office hours.

• We are happy to visit any family

wanting information about any of our services or needing support in any of the above ways.

• Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

When a child with disabilities reaches 16, he/she can claim benefits in their own right: Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• can be paid from the age of 16 to those

who have ‘limited capability for work’ because of sickness or a disability.

• Young people who receive ESA may be

able to claim whilst in some forms of education

• depends on type of course and the

number of hours study.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• When a young person reaches 16 their

DLA is usually reviewed.

• Entitlement should remain the same as

long as there have been no changes in his/her condition.

• The young person may also start to

receive his/her benefit direct rather than via an appointee.

• appointee can still continue to act on

behalf of the young person where appropriate.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

Job Seekers Allowance with Disability Premium

• if a young person is able to work they

may be able to claim JSA.

• If they are receiving DLA they will be

entitled to extra benefit in the form of a Disability Premium.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits for Parents and Carers

A child claiming benefits at age 16 may affect some benefits that are paid to you the parent/carer. Child Benefit

• should stop as soon as a young

person claims ESA.

• Contact the Child Benefit Unit as soon

as possible

Bromley Mencap

Benefits for Parents and Carers

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit

• could be affected when a young person

claims ESA.

• You should have your current award of

Tax Credits looked at again.

• If the young person is an only child,

your Child Tax Credit will stop completely.

• You should contact the Tax Credit

Helpline within a month of the young person claiming ESA.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits for Parents and Carers

Carers Allowance

• There should be no change to

entitlement when the child reaches 16 provided the rules of entitlement are still satisfied. Income Support

• If you claim Income Support with extra

amounts for children this can be affected when a young person claims ESA.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits for Parents and Carers

Housing/Council Tax Benefit

• include extra amounts for

children and will be affected when a young person claims ESA.

• You should have your claim

looked at again as soon as

• possible. Contact your local

district/borough council. Bromley Mencap

Benefits for Parents and Carers

Council Tax Reduction, Discount or Exemption

• If you are a carer or have had

adaptations made to your home because of disability, you may be able to receive a reduction in your Council Tax.

• Discounts and disregards are also

available for certain carers and those who have certain conditions. You should apply to your local district or borough council.

Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

• Young people claiming benefits in

their own right at age 16 can have a serious impact on a family’s income.

• Always get individual advice from

welfare benefits advisors before making a decision to claim a benefit.

• Other sources of advice include:

Citizens Advice Bureau Jobcentreplus Carers Bromley

Bromley Mencap

Benefits at aged 16 for children and young people with disabilities

• Welfare benefit system changes

regularly.

• Universal Credits and Personal

Independence Payments will be introduced soon

• It is essential to get up to date

information when your child reaches 16. Bromley Mencap

Support for families in Transition

Gill Eldridge Family Services and Brokerage Manager 0208 466 0790 gill.eldridge@bromleymencap.org

Bromley Mencap