Disability Living
Allowance (DLA):
A vital benefit for children and adults under 65 who have a long term
illness or disability—and one that many people miss out on.
Payable on grounds of physical and/or mental
health problems. Many claimants who qualify do not think of themselves as
‘disabled’; an unfortunate name for a wonderful benefit! Receipt of DLA can
have many positive knock-on effects on people’s other benefits, and can ONLY
leave someone BETTER OFF.
Made up of mobility and care components.
Although claims are based on the help people reasonably need, you DO NOT
need to be getting help to qualify. Nor do you need to spend any benefit
awarded on paying for help.
You can work AND get DLA (although people
with DLA going into work sometimes find it cut or lost as a result). Someone
getting DLA before the age of 65 can continue to receive it afterwards.
Attendance Allowance (AA):
The restricted version of Disability Living Allowance (see above) for people
who are 65 or over when they first claim. Sadly no help is available for
mobility problems suffered by those aged 65 or over when they first claim -
awards are based on care needs alone.
Like DLA, AA can only ever leave people BETTER OFF.
Industrial Injuries Benefits:
A special compensation scheme for people who are sick or disabled through
either an accident at work, or through a prescribed disease. They are
usually more generous than benefits available to people through the
‘ordinary’ system, so it’s always worth checking the root cause of
disabilities.
War Disablement Benefits:
A similar scheme to Industrial Injuries above, aimed at people who became
ill due to service in the armed forces and certain civilians during war
time. Again, usually more generous than standard sick-route benefits, so
check it out.
Child Benefit:
A weekly amount payable for each child or young person that you are
responsible for. Payment of Child Benefit from April 2003 is through the
Inland Revenue.
Guardian’s
Allowance:
A benefit paid to those looking after children who are effectively orphaned.
Paid on top of Child Benefit.
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Means Tested benefits
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