skip to main content
damha logo: click for home page
 

Go for it!

Welfare Benefits - Do you know your rights?

You should always check your welfare benefits entitlement as the rules change.

You will probably be getting your State Retirement Pension but if you are disabled or living on a low income you may not be aware that you can get extra benefits.

Many older people may be able to get more help by claiming Pension Credit.

You may be entitled to:

  • Pension Credit
  • Help with Health Costs e.g. free dental treatment
  • Housing and Council Tax Benefit
  • Community Care Grants from the social fund
  • Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance

Help with Health Costs
All pensioners get free prescriptions and eye tests. If you get the guarantee credit of Pension Credit you can also get:

  • Free NHS dental treatment
  • Help with the cost of glasses;
  • Costs of travelling to hospital for NHS treatment

If you do not get the guarantee credit of Pension Credit you may still get help with these costs.

Community Care Grants
If you get Pension Credit you may be able to get a Community Care Grant.

These are special grants for people who are elderly, disabled or have special needs.

The grants are to help you to stay living in the community or for people coming out of care. You can ask for things like furniture, bedding and clothing. You may also be able to get a grant to visit someone who is in hospital or a residential home.

Attendance Allowance
You may be able to claim Attendance Allowance if you:

  • Are 65 or over
  • Need a lot of care, supervision or watching over because you have a physical or mental disability
  • Have eyesight or hearing difficulties

To qualify for this benefit you must:

  • Have needed the care or the supervision for six months

Attendance Allowance is paid on top of other benefits.

For some people it can increase the amount of benefit they already get like Pension Credit.

You can have any amount of savings or income and get it.

You don't pay tax on Attendance Allowance.

Disability Living Allowance
You may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance if you:

  • Are under 65
  • Need a lot of care, supervision or watching over because you have a physical or mental disability;

Or

  • Need help with getting around; or
  • Need help with preparing a cooked meal

Or

  • Have eyesight or hearing difficulties

To qualify for this benefit you must:

  • Have needed the care or the supervision for three months;
  • Be likely to need it for the next six months; and Disability Living Allowance is paid on top of other benefits.

Useful Contact Numbers
Pension Credit: 0845 6060265
Age Concern: 0800 009966
Co. Durham Welfare Rights: 0191 3708787

Please remember our Housing Officer can give you confidential advice relating to all benefits by calling Freephone 0800 0432642

Our Go For It Features: