The following is a list of some of the benefits and tax credits available that will be of interest to people who are ill or disabled and their carers. It includes sickness, disability, carer, bereavement, unemployment and child related benefits but does not cover maternity/paternity benefits.
If you fit more than one circumstance you may be able to get the benefits on each list.
If you are a widow or widower you may be able to get:
bereavement allowance
bereavement payment
social fund
widowed parent’s allowance
If you are responsible for a child you may be able to get:
child benefit
child tax credit
education benefits
guardian’s allowance
working tax credit
If you have a disabled child you may be able to get:
child benefit
child tax credit
disability living allowance
education benefits
guardian’s allowance
working tax credit
If you have children at school you may be able to get:
child benefit
child tax credit
education benefits
working tax credit
If you are under 60 and on a low income you may be able to get:
income support
If you are over 60 and on a low income you may be able to get:
pension credit
If you are a carer you may be able to get:
carer’s allowance
council tax benefit
income support
housing benefit
If you are sick or disabled you may be able to get:
attendance allowance
council tax benefit
council tax reduction
disability living allowance
housing benefit
industrial injuries benefits
incapacity benefit
income support
NHS benefits
statutory sick pay
If you or your partner work 16 hours or more a week you may be able to get:
working tax credit
If you are unemployed you may be able to get:
jobseeker’s allowance
jobseeker’s allowance
NHS benefits
You can get more information about the benefits mentioned on our website at www.disabilityalliance.org/ben4.htm. Much of this information is contained in factsheets available at www.disabilityalliance.org/fact.htm.
You can also obtain copies of these publications by contacting Disability Alliance on 020 7247 8776 (voice and minicom) or by fax on 020 7247 8765.
Information about all these benefits is covered in more detail in Disability Alliance's Disability Rights Handbook at www.disabilityalliance.org/drh33.htm.
You can get help at a local advice centre, such as a citizen's advice bureau. You can get more information about this from our factsheet F15, Finding a local advice centre, which is available at www.disabilityalliance.org/f15.htm.
April 2008