Welfare Benefits Assistance

Cherry Lodge has a 'Benefits Advisor' to assist in ensuring that members and their families get the welfare rights to which they are entitled. The Benefits Advisor is available on Tuesday afternoons and at other times by appointment. Please ask Fiona to make an appointment. The service is confidential and impartial.

The Benefits Advisor can:

  • Check you are getting all benefits that may be available to you whether you are working, off sick or retired, depending on individual circumstances
  • Help with filling in forms
  • Assist with preparing for appeals and other administration

What Benefits are available?

Attendance Allowance
This is for people over 65 who need help with personal care. For example if you have difficulty with washing, dressing, going to the toilet, getting in or out of a bed or chair, moving around the home, if you have communication difficulties, or need someone to keep an eye on you.
There are two rates of attendance allowance; the lower rate is paid for help during the day or during the night, and the higher rate if you need help during both day and night. Attendance allowance is not means tested or taxable.
Special Rules
This benefit is for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness so that benefits can be obtained quickly.
Invalid Care Allowance
This allowance is for carers of working age, who are providing 35 hours of care weekly to someone in receipt of Disability Living or Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance
This benefit is for people under 65 at the time of claiming. Disability Living Allowance covers help with personal care, as described for Attendance Allowance; this is called the Care Component. However, there are three rates:
  • The lowest rate is for those who would have problems if you tried to prepare a cooked main meal for yourself.
  • The middle rate is for those who have problems or need help during the day or if you are liable to get into danger.
  • The highest rate is for those who have problems or need help both day and night.
Disability Living Allowance also has a mobility component which is for people who have difficulty getting around. Disability Living Allowance is neither means tested nor taxable.
Incapacity Benefit
This is for those people who become ill and have paid sufficient National Insurance Contributions in the correct period. Initially you would receive six months Statutory Sick Pay followed by Incapacity Benefit.
Additional Benefits
  • You may be entitled to Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit.
  • You may be able to continue working and claim Disabled Persons Tax Credit, or if you have children under 16, Children's Tax Credit.
  • There are also additional benefits for those who have accidents at work or an industrial disease.

Other Types of Help

Help with NHS Costs
Travel to hospital, free dental treatment, sight tests and glasses.
Help with Prescriptions
Some people can get free prescriptions; ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you are not entitled to free prescriptions it may be worth purchasing a Certificate of Pre-payment of Prescription Charges. Ask for form FP95 from your chemist or main post office.
Blue Badge Scheme
Parking concessions to help people with severe mobility problems. Contact your local authority for an application form.
Transport
Ask your local authority about bus passes and mini-cab or taxicab schemes.

Useful Telephone Numbers


Citizens Advice Bureau 08701 288080
Benefits Enquiry Line 0800 882200
Disability Action in the Borough of Barnet 020 8446 6935
Dial-a-Ride (North London) 020 8829 1219
Dial-a-Ride (Hertfordshire) 01923 443388
Community Transport Scheme 01707 375159