|
Extra personal income tax allowance
You are entitled to this allowance. You should apply to your tax office - proof of registration will be required.
Additional income support benefit
You may be entitled to this benefit. Apply to the local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Exemption from ‘non-dependents’ deductions from income support
You may be entitled to this benefit.
Other Department for Work and Pensions benefits
You may be entitled to other benefits such as:
- Income Support (if you are under 60 and on low income)
- Attendance Allowance (if you are 65 or over)
- Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 65)
- Carers Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Pension Credits (60 or over)
- Tax Credits
For further information contact your local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Citizens Advice Bureau, welfare rights officer or rehabilitation officer.
Additional housing benefit
You may be entitled to this benefit. You should apply to your local council benefit section.
Exemption from ‘non-dependents’ deductions from housing benefit
You may be entitled to this benefit. You should apply to your local council benefit section.
Council Tax benefit
You may be entitled to a reduction in the amount you pay. Enquiries need to be directed to the council tax office independently.
TV license at reduced cost
You are entitled to a 50% reduction in the cost of your TV licence. However, TV licenses are now free for everyone over 75 years. This applies to any household where one member is over 75 years regardless of their medical condition.
British Wireless for the Blind Fund
You may be entitled to a radio, radio/cassette, or CD/radio/cassette player on a free permanent loan. Information is available from your rehabilitation officer.
Postage concessions
There is a free postage scheme for people registered as sight impaired/severely sight impaired called Articles for the Blind. For more information contact your local rehabilitation officer. Full details of the scheme and labels are available from the RNIB.
Telephones
You may be entitled to financial assistance from us towards the cost of installing a telephone. This is given in cases which meet the criteria for the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Applications are subject to an assessment of need.
Telephone for the Blind Fund
You may be entitled to assistance with line rental charges and /or installation. Further information is available from the charity Telephones for the Blind.
Free Directory Enquiry service
BT offer a free Directory Enquiry service to people who cannot use the telephone directory. You are entitled to this service. Details are available from British Telecom or your rehabilitation officer.
Bus passes
You are entitled to a bus pass that will allow free travel on buses within Cheshire at any time of the day. You should contact your local rehabilitation officer. If you hold a disabled/older persons bus pass this allows free travel after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day Sat/Sun. See Transport - Concessions.
Disabled persons car badges
You are eligible for a disabled persons car badge, applications are available from your local community services office. See Car Badge Scheme.
Disabled persons rail card
You are entitled to this service. Enquire at any manned station or obtain an application form from:
Disabled Persons Railcard Office
PO Box 163
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE12 8WX
Tel: 0845 605 0525
Textphone: 0845 601 0132
In some districts the local District Council Office will pay the rail card fee – enquire locally. See Transport - Concessions for more information.
Free eye tests
Advise your optician that you are registered sight impaired / partially sighted in order to be exempt from the NHS eye examination fee.
Welfare Rights Service
A specialist advice service offering confidential, impartial and independent advice on welfare benefits, free of charge.
* You can contact a rehabilitation officer via the Access Teams * |