Can I have the lowdown on DLA/ESA "extras" etc?

[Watchoutdailyfail]

Regular poster, namechanged because I'm worried about being told off for claiming benefits and I don't feel up to arguing.

I've just had my DLA reassessment through, and it has been upped from the middle rate care I have been getting for three years. I now get middle rate care and lower rate mobility, and that is safe till 2016. I have a serious mental illness that fluctuates massively.

Massive relief and so on, obviously.

However, I had been managing a small amount of self employment, and been getting the extra disability element to my tax credits. Now my health has meant I have had to give that up.

I'm looking into if I can claim ESA, as DH works, and also housing benefit/council tax benefit. However, am I missing out any "extras"?

EG I have just found out that, all the time I have been claiming DLA, I could have had a disabled persons railcard, and I have also started applying for a bus pass, on the grounds that my disability and medication means I would most probably be refused a driving licence.

Are there any other, I hesitate to use the word, but can't think of any other, so don't shout at me, "perks" to being so disabled that I will probably never work more than very part time again?

Come on people, I need cheering up - a free lollipop, anything!

More seriously, how about childcare etc? Previously we have had tax credits childcare element, and I am really not sure if I can cope with the kids all the time while DH works. I can for most of the time, but I need a break - surely if I am deemed to need care myself, there is some way my kids can be looked after for an hour or two so I can have a breather?

The best place to start answering all those questions would be this Benefits Checker. If you input your circumstances as completely as you are able, you should get an idea if there's any extra help available that you haven't considered yet.

No-one should tell you off for claiming benefits. We're all lucky enough to live in a country where we take care of people when they need help, and all of us may need that help at some point. There are some nasty types on MN, admittedly, but most seem to lurk on the AIBU and Politics boards. :)

Unfortunately, it doesn't include the extras, and for childcare it just says "incapable" - I don't know what that means.

I get HRC DLA. There are quite a few extras you can get which won't appear on benefits checker.

You can ask social services for a needs assessment and they may be willing to provide direct payments which you can spend on someone to support you however you wish. They might be able to provide other services, it depends what is available in your area.

I get a CEA cinema card which allows one person to come with me to the cinema. Most theatres and other leisure venues, National Trust etc will also allow free entry for a carer - often not advertised, but it's always worth asking, just bring a copy of your DLA letter (it shouldn't matter that your DH doesn't get Carer's).

It sounds like your DH can't get CA as he's in FT work, but if there is another adult who helps to care for you (over 35 hrs pw), they could get carer's allowance even if they don't live with you. They need to earn under £100pw and not be a FT student.

Many gas/elec companies have a cheaper tariff for the disabled, you'll need to call and ask about it as they don't tend to advertise. We're on the British Gas tariff and it's much cheaper than the standard rates, plus they have a policy not to cut us off if we got into debt.

I do some courses at a local college and pay concessionary fees. I could get a discounted leisure card (if I was the type of person who'd want to go to the gym!). These usually depend on your local council so check their website.

We have a Carer's organisation in our county which gives lots of information on local services and discounts - try to find out if there's a similar services in your area as they'll know what's available locally. Your DH would be considered to be your carer, so there would be some grants/services for him too. At our centre they offer free therapy, holistic therapies and massages, plus a small annual sum which can be spent on something like a day out or whatever the carer wants.

Brill, thanks :)

For anyone else reading this - I spoke to tax credits, and they will still send the childcare element, so worth baring in mind for anyone in the same situation.

Child care element for tax credits is based on whether you are both working over 16 hours or one of you is working over 16 hours and one of you is incapacitated (though ill health). So you should be entitled to it. If you give them a ring they will clarify.

HTH

Opps X posted