BENEFITS

This is a guide to some of the benefits that are available if you have a mental health problem. If you know of any others please let me know.

Members of Back on Track will be given help filling out the forms if they wish.

North Norfolk District Council provide a benefits help and advice team that can also visit you. Their number is 01263 516245

There is an online questionaire to help you find out which benefits and tax credits you are entitled to on www.direct.gov.uk  go to Money,tax and benefits  then Benefits advisor.

For more details of benefits and to get the necessary forms go to one of the following places.

            *  www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/help

            * Phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line.  0800 882200

            * Contacting your local Jobcentre or Social Security Office

            * Department of Works and Pensions www.dwp.gov.uk

            * Downloading the form from www.direct.gov.uk

            * Contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureaux

DLA ( disability living allowance )  You may be entitled to this if you are under 65 and need help with personal care or have walking difficulties.

Employment and Support Allowance.  People with an illness or disability that means they are unable to undertake any form of work related activity, will get increased financial support and will not be expected to prepare for a return to work. To make a claim phone 0800 055 66 88.

Incapacity Benefit  You may be entitled to this if you cannot work and are not claiming Statutory Sick Pay. You must be under pensionable age. From October 2008 this will be replaced with Employment and Support Allowance.

Attendance Allowance  You may be entitled to this if you are over 65 and have care needs.

Income Support  You may be entitled to this if you are on a low income, are under 60 and have less than £16,000 in capital. From October 2008 this will be replaced with Employment and Support Allowance.

Working Tax Credit You may be entitled to this if you work more than 16 hours a week on a low wage.

Council Tax Benefit.  You may be entitled to this if you are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in capital.

Housing Benefit.  You may be entitled to this if you are a tenent paying rent and are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in capital.

Social Fund.  You may be entitled to this if you have an emergency expense that you cannot afford such as furnishing a home or have no money coming in at all.

Community Care Grant.  You may be entitled to this if for example you are leaving institutional or residential care and settling into the community.

Pension Credit.  You may be entitled to this if you are over 60 and have a low income. It doesn't matter whether you are working or not.

Job Seekers Allowance.  You may be entitled to this if you are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week.

Carers Allowance.  You can claim carers allowance if you are over 16 and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person that is receiving Attendance allowance, Disability allowance or Constant attendance allowance.

Direct Payments.  Social services can give you money to arrange your own services. This money is called direct payments. It does not affect your benefits or tax. Direct payments can be used for care in the home, supported activities, short breaks and equipment.For information contact Independent Living Norfolk. Tel: 01508 491222.

Free Travel.  Concessionary bus passes that allow you to travel free on all local buses that start or finish in Norfolk can be obtained. They are automatic if you are on the higher rate of DLA or you can get one if your GP signs a form. The forms can be obtained from NNDC .   Tel 01263 516294 www.north-norfolk.gov.uk