Support

 

Becoming disabled can be a difficult time and you may want to talk with someone. Counselling is available from a number of organisations. Talk with your GP who may be able to refer you to a counsellor. If you have a visual impairment or are deaf, the specialist teams within Social Services may be able to help.

---

An excellent online source to meet disabled people is http://www.youreable.com/

---

A carer is someone who looks after a friend, relative or neighbour who needs help because of sickness, age or disability. Your carer may be entitled to an assessment in their own right. Contact Social Services for more information on Carers Allowances.

---

If you are a car user you may be entitled to join the disabled parking scheme. The disabled parking badge scheme (Blue Badge scheme) is a national scheme for people who, are registered blind, have severe walking difficulties or regularly drive but are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand. The scheme provides a wide range of parking benefits. For example the scheme enables badge holders to park free in most pay and display car parks and also to park on single and double yellow lines in most streets for up to three hours.

---

Employment 

 

To increase your chances in the workplace you may wish to improve your skills. Many of the local colleges and schools offer adult learning courses offering you the chance to learn at all levels. Alternatively, Learndirect offers many courses aimed at increasing skills.

---

The Jobcentre Plus website can give you information on employment and disability. It also provides specialist services for people with disabilities. For more information about the services available you can call in to your local jobcentre or visit the Jobcentre Plus website which now incorporates the former Employment Service website.

---

 

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free social security benefit intended for people with a long-term illness or a disability. It can be paid in addition to other benefits such as Retirement Pension. It is for people aged 65 and over. For more information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

---

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free social security benefit intended for adults and children with a long-term illness or a disability. It can be paid in addition to other benefits such as Incapacity Benefit but can also be paid if you are working. For more information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

---

If you are aged 16 or over and working on average 16 hours a week or more but you are restricted in the type of work, number of hours you can work or amount you can earn because of disability then you may be entitled to Disabled Person's Tax Credit. This benefit is claimed through the Inland Revenue. For more information click here to visit their website.

---

If you are aged between 16 and 65 and you have been unable to work for at least 28 weeks in a row because of disability or if you have never been able to work you may be entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance. For more information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

---

This is a one off payment that you may be entitled to if you or a member of your family is severely disabled as a result of vaccination. For more information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.

---

War Disablement Pension (WDP) is a payment made to people who have been injured or disabled as a result of any service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces. For more information visit the Veterans Agency website.

---

 

As well as the information above you can get help and advice about welfare benefits from the Citizens Advice Bureau. They can help you with advice about benefits and other problems you may have.

---

 

Cheshire Social Services Department