Finances and Benefits

Carers Benefits

In Lincolnshire, several organisations offer benefits advice to carers, to help navigate what can be a very confusing system, and ensure you are receiving all of the financial support that is available to you.

If you are a carer aged 18 - 50, an excellent carers’ benefits advice service is offered by:

• Carers Connect - 01522 812830

Carers over the age of 50 can obtain benefits advice from the following organisations:

• Age UK - 01522 527694

Carers of all ages can find out more about their benefits entitlements from the following sources:

• Citizens Advice Bureau - for details of your local branch
• Department of Work and Pensions - telephone their carers benefits advice line on 0845 608 4321

Changes to entitlements for carers and their cared for in 2011

Jobcentre Plus are to phase out Incapacity Benefit and replace with Employment and Support Allowance. Below is a brief summary of the changes.

Jobcentre Plus can offer Customers help and support through this process.

Incapacity Benefit Reassessment

Between Feb 2011 and Spring 2014, people who receive the following benefits will be contacted and assessed for Employment and Support Allowance.

• Incapacity Benefit (IB)
• Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
• Income Support (IS) paid on the grounds of illness or disability.

Contact will be over the 3 year period and will normally be at the time when they were due to attend the Jobcentre for their ‘Personal Capability Assessment’.

What are the changes?

These benefits are being phased out and Customers receiving them will be assessed for eligibility to Employment and Support Allowance by undergoing a Work Capability Assessment. If they do not qualify for Employment and Support allowance they will be invited to apply for Job Seekers Allowance.

What is Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)?

There are 2 Customer groups within ESA with different allowances and conditionality.

• Work Related Activity Group - where an eventual return to work is realistic. Work Focused Interviews will concentrate on what a Customer ‘can do’ rather than what they ‘can’t do’.
• Support Group - where illness or disability has a severe effect on long-term ability to work. They will not be expected to look for work or undertake any work related activities (unless they wish to do so) and will get the extra support they need.

Important points

• No one moving from their existing benefit to Employment and Support Allowance will see a reduction in the level of their benefit at the point of change.
• Jobcentre Plus will phone Customers and offer help when letters are sent out and can talk through any queries when completing the Work Capability form. They will also be contacted by phone to advise on their ESA entitlement and advised on next steps.
• A Support Worker can attend a Work Capability Assessment (and any subsequent appointments) and this is strongly encouraged.

The www.direct.gov.uk website holds useful information about Employment and Support and Allowance, including information on the Work Capability Assessment.