Funding My Service
There are now several different ways services can be funded. Community Care Monies, Independent Living Fund, Individual Budgets and a system called In Control.
In Control is a system characterised by individual budgets for self directed support, and one which is being used particularly in learning disability services. In Control is a unique partnership between families, individuals, service providers, local authorities, government and many other organisations.
You can visit the In Control website at www.in-control.org.uk for more information about this type of funding.
If you are in receipt of your own Individual Budget, Living Ambitions can provide a service to enable you to choose organise and implement plans that will help you achieve the changes that you want in your life.
Living Ambitions can provide assistance on a contractual basis and we will be accountable to you and where appropriate with assistance from family and friends we can support you with the range of tasks that you require.
We will...
- Help you decide what changes that you wish to make
- Assemble, cost and write up a plan to achieve changes
- Find and liaise with people and community resources to compliment your plan
- Identify sources of funding
- Help you implement your plan
When your plan is implemented Living Ambitions can....
- Monitor the delivery of your support
- Recruit, train and support your staff or personal assistants
- Hold your personal budget and help you provide details of your expenditure to the Local Authority
You apply for any funding stream by contacting your local Social Services Department and asking for a Community Care Assessment. Your family or relatives who are caring for you may also ask for a Carers Assessment.
Money Talk
Are you getting everything you’re entitled to?
Make sure you know what’s what with this quick guide to youth and disability benefits.
Sifting through the benefits system can be painstaking and confusing but it is important that you are receiving everything that you are entitled to so, it’s worth talking to someone at Jobcentre Plus or an independent advice agency. Living with a disability can be very expensive and if you find that you are still short of funds you could always apply to some independent funds for financial assistance.
How will things change as I move from child to adult benefits?
Your parents can continue to claim for you as a dependent right up until you turn 19 (sometimes 20) if you stay in full-time, non-advanced education or some types of unwaged work-based training. However, from your 16th birthday it is possible for you to start claiming in your own right. If you are interested in doing this your parents will have to stop claiming any benefits or tax credits for you as a dependent. It’s well worth talking to an expert about this in order to check that your gain does actually match their loss.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
If you have quite a severe disability you are probably already receiving the DLA. There are two components to help with personal care and mobility. You can receive either or both of these components. At 16 the rules about DLA change slightly. If you already receive it your claim may be looked at after your 16th birthday and you might find that you are now entitled to a higher rate. If you don’t receive DLA you might now find that as an adult you are entitled to it. Make sure you check this out. You can receive DLA even if you have a full-time job and it will not affect any other benefits your parents might be receiving.
Carer’s Allowance
If your carer is claiming Carer’s Allowance this will not be affected by any benefits you claim in your own right. Even if you move out of home, providing that they continue to care for you for over 35 hours a week, they will still be able to claim. If you do move out of home though, be sure to get expert advice as your carer’s claim for Carer’s Allowance might affect what you get in some benefits.
Incapacity Benefit (in youth)
If you cannot work because of illness or disability you might be able to claim Incapacity Benefit in youth. If you are under 20, (or under 25 in some cases if you have been in education or training) you do not need to have paid National Insurance to apply. You must have been continuously incapable or work for 196 days to be eligible. Be aware that claiming Incapacity Benefit could affect your parents’ benefits. If you are under 19 and you study 21 hours a week or more, ignoring any education specifically because you are disabled, you may be unable to claim.
Income Support
This is a benefit for people over 16 on a low income. You may receive this instead of, or as a top-up to, Incapacity Benefit. Working will usually affect getting this benefit and it might be worth looking into Working Tax Credit instead. If you receive this benefit you may also be awarded the Disability premium or the Severe Disability premium as part of it. If you are studying, special rules apply.
Jobseeker’s Allowance
This is for people who are out of work or working less than 16 hours a week and actively seeking work. You will have to enter into a ‘Jobseeker’s Agreement’ at the Jobcentre and explain how you plan to find work. If you are aged 16 or 17 you may only be able to claim if you are in certain situations, for example, you are ‘estranged’ from your parents.
Working Tax Credit
If you work over 16 hours a week and are on a low income, then you are probably eligible for Working Tax Credit. The amount you receive will vary according to the amount you earn and other benefits you receive. There is also a disability and a severe disability element. To claim this benefit you must contact HM Revenues and Customs.
Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance
This will help you to cover the cost of some, or all of your rent. If you are disabled you may be entitled to claim even if you are a student. In some areas a new scheme is being trialled called Local Housing Allowance which will eventually replace Housing Benefit. With this system you are given a fixed sum of money so that you can find somewhere cheaper to live and keep the rest of the money.
Council Tax reduction
A discount available to those on a low income. The disabled band reduction scheme tries to make sure that people who live in larger or adapted properties in order to accommodate needs arising out of their disability do not have to pay more. There are also some other discounts that might be applied to your bill depending on who is in your household, for example, some carers can get a discount on the bill.
Other benefits and sources of money
Disabled people are also entitled to a range of other benefits. Do you know that you do not have to pay VAT on specialist equipment, or that you may be eligible for free eye tests, free dental treatment and free prescriptions? There are benefits for people who have lost a spouse or who have become sick or disabled through illness or an accident. There are schemes for disabled students, disabled people seeking work as well as the Independent Living Funds, Direct Payments and other Government funds. It is important that you talk to a specialist adviser; try the Citizens Advice Bureau, to make sure that you have a complete picture.
Every Disabled Child Matters
The Government has announced plans to invest £340m over the next three years to improve services for disabled children and their families. Some of this money is going into transition from child to adult services. To see how this might benefit you, have a look a the Every Disabled Child Matters website.
Charities and trusts
If you still find that you are short of money for those all important one-off extras, then there are quite a few charities and trusts offering financial assistance to disabled people and their carers. A Guide to Grants of Individuals in Need lists over 2,500 organisations and might be a good start. You should be able to find a copy in your local library. Also talking to a charity that deals with your specific disability might be helpful.
