Bromley Mencap Support for families in Transition Gill Eldridge Family Services and Brokerage Manager 0208 466 0790 gill.eldridge@bromleymencap.org
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
Bromley Mencap Support for families in Transition Gill Eldridge Family Services and Brokerage Manager 0208 466 0790 gill.eldridge@bromleymencap.org
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