Benefits update

Disability Benefits

In this publication we are raising awareness of disability benefits, which are for people who have difficulty with their personal care, or in some cases their mobility. The difficulties can be due to a physical or mental health condition.

Disability benefits are:

• Non means tested (it does not matter how much income or capital you have)
• Tax free
• Paid whether you are in or out of work

You will need to have lived in the UK for two out of the last three years.

Which benefit to claim with depends on whether you are state pension age or below. We are providing a summary of the benefits in this article. If you would like more information on the criteria and whether the benefit could be for you, please contact your Blesma Support officer or see our website for a factsheet https://blesma.org/understanding-benefits/

Above State Pension age

Attendance Allowance is for people over state pension age who require assistance with their personal care or help to make sure they are safe. This can include difficulties such as getting washed and dressed or difficulties you have overnight.

Attendance Allowance is based on the effect your long term health condition or disability has on your daily life, not the condition or disability itself. You can get Attendance Allowance even if you live alone and you do not need to have a carer. It is paid to recognise the increased costs an individual may face due to an illness or disability.

You will need to satisfy a disability test showing how your care needs affect you throughout the day or at night. Most claims are decided by the information you write on the form and supporting evidence from someone who knows you well e.g. a medical practitioner.

Attendance Allowance can be paid at one of two rates depending on the level of care required.

Lower rate	£61.85 per week	Day or night time care needs
Higher rate	£92.40 per week	Day and night time care needs

 

If you already receive Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment you will not be able to receive Attendance Allowance.

Payment of Attendance Allowance may be affected if you receive Constant Attendance Allowance with a War Pension or Armed Forces Independence Payment with an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

 

Below State Pension age

Personal Independence Payment is for people who have difficulty with their daily living activities such as washing and bathing, (the daily living component) or difficulty getting around (the mobility component).

Personal Independence Payment  is based on the effect your long term health condition or disability has on your daily life, not the condition or disability itself. You can get Personal Independence Payment even if you live alone. You do not need to have a carer. It is paid to recognise the increased costs an individual may face due to an illness or disability.

You will need to meet the disability conditions, which means satisfying a points based test which assesses your ability to undertake specific activities. Decisions can be made based on the information you write on your form and the supporting evidence from someone who knows you well e.g. a medical practitioner. However, most claims require you to take part in a telephone, video or face to face assessment.

Personal Independence Payment can be paid at one of two rates for each component, dependent on the number of points scored in the assessment.

Daily living component
Standard rate	£61.85 per week	Score 8 – 11 points
Enhanced rate	£92.40 per week	Score 12 or more points
Mobility component
Standard rate	£24.45	Score 8 – 11 points
Enhanced rate	£64.50	Score 12 or more points

 

Payment of Personal Independence Payment may be affected if you receive Constant Attendance Allowance with a War Pension or Armed Forces Independence Payment with an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

You can continue to receive Personal Independence Payment after state pension age as long as you continue to meet the criteria.

If you live in Scotland, Personal Independence Payment is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment. The rules for the benefit are predominantly the same and includes the same points based assessment and rates of payment. Adult Disability Payment is being phased in across Scotland. You can claim from the following dates:

• 21 March – if you live in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or the Western Isles
• 20 June – if you live in Angus, North Lanarkshire or South Lanarkshire
• 25 July – if you live in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, East Ayrshire, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire or South Ayrshire
• 29 August – if you live anywhere else in Scotland

If you live in Scotland and already receive Personal Independence Payment you will be transferred over to Adult Disability Payment at some stage over the next few years. You do not need to do anything at this stage, Social Security Scotland will contact you at the time of your transfer.

THE MOTABILITY SCHEME

If you receive a benefit because you have a disability or illness that makes it hard for you to get around, you can use the payment to pay for a vehicle from a charity called Motability. You can choose from lots of different vehicles, for example; cars, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs.

You can access the Motability scheme if you have been awarded:

• Personal Independence Payment enhanced mobility component
• Adult Disability Payment enhanced mobility component
• Disability Living Allowance higher rate mobility component (the precursor to Personal Independence Payment)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

You must have at least twelve months left before your benefit ends.

Your benefit will go directly to the Motability Scheme each four weeks to pay for your lease. Some lease vehicles cost lest than your weekly benefit and you will be able to keep the difference if you lease a lower cost option.

You will probably need to make a payment upfront if you choose a more expensive vehicle. You may be able to receive a grant from Motability to support with the extra costs.

The lease also covers:

• Insurance
• Breakdown cover
• Vehicle tax
• Servicing and maintenance
• Some adaptations

How to find a Motability vehicle

You will need to show you evidence that you are eligible for the scheme. You will need:

• Your ID – such as a driving licence or passport
• Your certificate of entitlement from the Department of Work and Pensions or Social Security Scotland

You will then need to visit the dealer of your choice. If you are unsure what is available where you live, you can find a dealer on the Motability Website or call the Motability helpline. Ask the dealer for an appointment with their Motability specialist. If you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, take it with you to make sure it fits in the car. You can visit several different dealers if you wish.

To find out more about the Motability scheme please visit their website www.motability.co.uk or call their helpline 0300 456 4566