Money and help you might be missing

A free benefits calculator

Anyone 18 or over who wants to see what they might be able to get.

• GOV.UK points to three free, anonymous calculators: entitledto, Turn2us and Policy in Practice.
• They give an estimate of the benefits you could get and how much, including Carer's Allowance and Council Tax Reduction.
• If it's cancer, Macmillan has its own free calculator (run by entitledto). It takes around 10 minutes.
• Have these to hand: savings, income (yours and your partner's), any benefits or pensions, outgoings like rent or mortgage, and your Council Tax bill.

In Northern Ireland, nidirect has its own benefits calculator.

Next step: Do this first. It's an estimate, not a decision, but it shows which of the things below are worth looking at.

From: GOV.UK: Benefits calculators, Macmillan: Benefits calculator, nidirect: Benefits calculator

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Usually people aged 16 to State Pension age with a long-term health condition.

• It helps with extra living costs if the condition makes everyday tasks or getting around difficult.
• There are two parts: daily living (things like preparing food, washing, managing medicines or treatments) and mobility (getting around).
• You can get it while working, with savings, and alongside most other benefits.
• You usually need to expect the difficulties to last at least 12 months.

Daily living part: £76.70 or £114.60 a week. Mobility part: £30.30 or £80 a week. Tax free.

In Scotland, you apply for Adult Disability Payment instead.

Next step: Start your claim by calling the PIP new claims line (details on GOV.UK). Someone can join the call to help you. Citizens Advice can help with the form.

From: GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), GOV.UK: PIP, how much you'll get

Attendance Allowance

People who have reached State Pension age and need help looking after themselves.

• It's for a condition severe enough that you need help caring for yourself, or someone to keep an eye on you for safety.
• You don't need to have a carer to claim it. It doesn't cover mobility needs.
• It isn't means tested. What you earn or have saved doesn't affect it.
• You usually need to have needed that help for at least 6 months.
• Getting it can mean extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

£76.70 or £114.60 a week, depending on the help needed.

In Scotland, you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead.

Next step: Read the GOV.UK guide and claim from there.

From: GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance

If someone is nearing the end of life

People with an illness that gets worse over time, where a doctor or other medical professional has said they might have 12 months or less to live.

• This is sometimes called the special rules for end of life. Claims can be dealt with more quickly and paid at a higher rate.
• It applies to PIP and Attendance Allowance, and to Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit.
• For PIP under these rules there's no face to face assessment.
• You ask a medical professional (a GP, consultant, hospice doctor or a specialist nurse, for example) for a form called SR1. One form covers more than one benefit.
• If nobody has talked to you about this, you can still ask a medical professional whether they would support a claim.
• Someone else can make the claim for you.

There are different rules in Scotland.

Next step: Read the GOV.UK guide. It explains how to claim, including if you already get benefits.

From: GOV.UK: Get benefits if you're nearing the end of life

Carer's Allowance

People caring for someone at least 35 hours a week, where the person they care for gets a benefit such as PIP daily living or Attendance Allowance.

• You don't have to be related to them or live with them. Caring can include washing, cooking, shopping, bills and taking them to appointments.
• You need to be 16 or over, not in full time education, and earning £204 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
• Only one person can claim it for the same person being cared for.
• It can change other benefits, for you and for the person you care for. Use a calculator before you apply.
• You can backdate a claim by up to 3 months.

£86.45 a week.

In Scotland, you apply for Carer Support Payment instead.

Next step: Check with a calculator first, then apply on GOV.UK.

From: GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance, GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance eligibility

Carer's Credit

People caring for someone at least 20 hours a week.

• It isn't paid as money. It fills gaps in your National Insurance record, which your State Pension is based on.
• Your income and savings don't affect it.
• If you get Carer's Allowance, you already get National Insurance credits automatically.

Next step: Read the GOV.UK guide to see whether it applies to you.

From: GOV.UK: Carer's Credit, GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance

Free prescriptions during cancer treatment

People in England having treatment for cancer, the effects of cancer or the effects of its treatment.

• You need a medical exemption certificate. Without a valid one, you may have to pay a penalty charge.
• Ask your GP or doctor for the application form. The certificate is backdated one month.
• If you pay for a prescription that your certificate covers, ask for a refund form (FP57) when you pay. You can't get one later. Claim within 3 months.
• If you're 60 or over, prescriptions are already free.

Next step: Ask your GP surgery for the form. The NHS checker shows other help with health costs, such as dental treatment and sight tests.

From: NHSBSA: Medical exemption certificates, NHS: Check if you can get free prescriptions

Travel costs to hospital

People in England referred for specialist NHS treatment or tests, who (or whose partner) get certain benefits or are on the NHS Low Income Scheme.

• The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme refunds reasonable travel costs, usually based on the cheapest suitable way to travel.
• The qualifying benefits include income related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and some Universal Credit.
• Unavoidable parking can be included. If you need a taxi, agree it with the hospital first.
• If a healthcare professional says someone needs to travel with you, their costs can be claimed too. Visiting someone in hospital isn't covered.
• Claim within 3 months, at the hospital's cashier office or by post on form HC5(T).

Next step: Keep your receipts and appointment letters, and ask the hospital's PALS office where to claim.

From: NHS: Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

NHS Low Income Scheme

People on a low income with £16,000 or less in savings, investments or property (not counting your home).

• It can help with health costs such as prescriptions, dental treatment and travel to hospital.
• If you already get certain benefits, you don't need to apply. You're already entitled to full help.
• You can claim a refund for treatment you've already paid for at the same time.

Next step: Apply online through the NHS Business Services Authority. Their page explains what to do if you can't apply online.

From: NHSBSA: NHS Low Income Scheme

Council Tax Reduction

People on a low income or claiming benefits, whether you own, rent, work or not.

• It can cut your Council Tax bill by up to 100%.
• Each council runs its own scheme, so what you get depends on where you live and your household.
• Getting PIP or Attendance Allowance can also mean a discount. Ask your council.

There's a different scheme in Northern Ireland.

Next step: Enter your postcode on GOV.UK to find your council and apply.

From: GOV.UK: Apply for Council Tax Reduction, GOV.UK: PIP, how much you'll get, GOV.UK: Attendance Allowance

Turn2us Grants Search

Anyone struggling to afford essentials.

• A free, confidential search that matches you with over 1,700 UK organisations that give grants.
• Grants can be cash, or things like a fridge or other household items.

Next step: Use the Grants Search on the Turn2us website.

From: Turn2us: Apply for grants

Macmillan money advisers (if it's cancer)

Anyone affected by cancer.

• You may read about Macmillan Grants elsewhere. Macmillan says its grant service is no longer available nationally. There are local grants in some areas only.
• Its specialist money advisers are free and confidential. They can help you work out what benefits and support you might be entitled to.
• Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Next step: Call the Support Line, or check the Macmillan page to see if local grants cover your area.

From: Macmillan: Macmillan Grants

Carers UK money guides

Carers, and the person they care for.

• Guides on benefits, grants and schemes, help with bills and household costs, and help with health and care costs.

Next step: Start with their financial support page.

From: Carers UK: Financial support

Citizens Advice

Anyone.

• GOV.UK sends people to Citizens Advice for help understanding and applying for PIP.
• They have plain guides on benefits for sick or disabled people and carers, including PIP and Attendance Allowance.

Next step: Contact your local Citizens Advice.

From: Citizens Advice: Benefits for sick or disabled people and carers, GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)