| The Benefits Agency namely the Department for Work and
Pensions, can provide you with advice on the disability benefits
listed below and what you may be eligible for:
- Disability Living Allowance (for under
65's)
- Attendance Allowance (for over 65's)
- Incapacity Benefit (sick and unable to
work)
- Carers Allowance (under 65 and caring
for someone over)
Use the Benefits Agency website to get further details of
eligibility criteria or give them a ring. If you live
in the Swindon or Chippenham vicinity and would like assistance
with making an application for any of these benefits, please
give the local office a call to arrange an appointment.
It can take three hours to complete a Disability Living Allowance
application form! Home visits can be arranged if you are unable
to travel to the office.
If you think you may be eligible for a benefit or allowance,
ring your local Benefits Agency - Swindon 01793 489600 or
Chippenham 01249 428000, or the National Helpline 0800 882200,
to request an application form. It will be date-stamped and
payment of benefit will be back-dated to that date if you
are awarded a benefit.
If you want advice about other benefits or an assessment
of whether you are receiving your full entitlement, please
contact your local Citizns Advise Bureau, details are here
 |
Benefits Agency
- (Department of
Work and Pensions)
www.dss.gov.uk
Benefit Agency Enquiry Line
Tel: 0800 882200
Tax Credits Helpline
Tel: 0845 605 5858 |
|
Swindon Benefits
Office
Spring Gardens House
Princes Street
Swindon
SN1 2HY
Tel +44(0)1793 489600 |
|
Chippenham Benefits
Office
St Pauls House
1 Marshfield Road
Chippenham
SN15 1LA
Tel: +44(0)1249 428000 |
Brief Details
of Disability Benefits |
Warning:
The descriptions of benefits given below are not comprehensive.
They should not be taken as definitive. Please refer
to the Benefits
Agency website or publications for full, accurate,
up to date information on each benefit and eligiblity
criteria. |
|
|
Disability Living
Allowances |
This benefit is for people who are under
65 years old when they make a claim. It is for when
you need help with personal care or with getting around
(mobility) due to an illness or a disability. Normally
you must have needed help for at six months and be likely
to continue to need it for at least a further six months.
This benefit can be claimed for children who meet certain
criteria. |
|
|
Attendance Allowance |
This is for disabled people aged 65 years
or over when they make a claim, who may need help with
personal care due to illness or a disability. There
is no allowance for needing assistance with getting
around with this benefit. |
|
|
Incapacity Benefit |
This benefit is for people who were in
employment but are unable to work due to illness or
a disability, and who cannot, or can no longer get Statutory
Sick Pay from their employers. You have to have worked
enough hours in the last two years to meet minimum National
Insurance contributions. It is also available to people
who are self-employed or not employed, but only if they
have paid enough National Insurance contributions in
the last two years. |
|
|
Carers Allowance |
This benefit is for people aged 16 and
over who spend at least 35 hours caring for someone
on middle or high rate care component of Disability
Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, and are not
earning much per week or in full-time education. For
older carers in receipt of a pension, the Carers Allowance
is set against pension. |
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