Some benefits you might get are:
Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to get:
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
If you’re disabled you can apply for the following:
If you’ve been assessed by your local council as needing care and support services, you can get:
You may be eligible for Universal Credit and could get help with housing costs.
If not, check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction from your local council.
You may be able to top up a low salary by claiming Universal Credit, Income Support or Working Tax Credit.
You also might be able to get an Access to Work grant to pay for:
You do not have to pay VAT on certain goods and services if they’re just for your own use and you’re disabled or have a long term illness.
You may be able to get compensation if you’ve been injured or disabled while serving in the armed forces.
Disability Living Allowance for children (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children under 16 to help with the extra costs caused by long-term ill health or a disability.
Personal Independence Payment is gradually replacing DLA for adults with long-term ill health or a disability. If you’ve reached State Pension age you can apply for Attendance Allowance instead.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free benefit for people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age. It can help with the extra costs caused by long term ill-health or a disability.
Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who are State Pension age or over, have a disability and need someone to help look after them.
You may be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you cannot work because of illness or disability.
Carer’s Allowance is extra money to help you look after someone with substantial caring needs.
You could also get Carer’s Credit so there will not be any gaps in your National Insurance record if you have to take on caring responsibilities.
Published: 10th February 2020
Source: GOV UK
Story URL: https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/disability-and-sickness-benefits
The 2018 BHTA Retailer of the Year Award is open for entries and this year we are looking for Healthcare Professionals to nominate their local retailer and win the chance to attend the BHTA Awards Dinner as our guest if your nomination wins.
We are looking for nominations for retailers who you work with locally in your community that offer exceptional support to you as healthcare professionals or carers, working together to provide equipment to help maintain independent living for one of your clients / customers. This could include mobility products, independent living aids, beds, chairs, stairlifts, bathing or any specialist equipment for which you rely on the retailer for advice and support. This nomination request is specifically for a local retailer you work with rather than a National Manufacturer.
The Retailer you choose should be someone who you believe goes beyond what is expected and offers you a service that is consistent time after time when using them. The retailer may have well trained staff, an excellent showroom, wide range of products, service facility etc……….that you rely on as a healthcare professional to do your job in your local community.
When nominating the retailer there may be an individual staff member who you rely on for their knowledge, experience and approach to the products and services you receive. You can also nominate an individual at the company.
To nominate your local retailer complete the Entry Form pdf
Remember if your nomination wins you and your partner/colleague will get two places at the BHTA Awards Dinner on 29th November so why not nominate your local retailer today !
For more information about the Awards Evening Hosted by Simon Weston CBE : Click Here
The fuelcard people know its their job to find you the very best deals for fuel.
BHTA has been working with fuelcard people since 2016 to offer our members a choice of thousands of locations
nationwide to receive on-going fuel discounts throughout the life of their account.
Contact us on 0844-808-2013
A company facing a disciplinary hearing tomorrow (Thursday 17th August) over allegations of practices such as cold calling potential customers has resigned from the BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association). ‘Arise Mobility’ was featured in a BBC Watch Dog ‘Rogue Traders’ programme broadcast on 12th July.
The programme questioned the company in relation to evidence about cold calling, the length of time their sales staff spent at potential customers’ homes, and lack of pricing transparency. During the programme, the BHTA’s Director of Governance & Policy, Sarah Lepak, confirmed that disciplinary action had begun in relation to the allegations and further information which had come to light.
All members of the BHTA are subject to its Code of Practice which protects consumers and is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The disciplinary hearing could have led to the expulsion of Arise Mobility from the BHTA for breaches of the Code. The company’s resignation received this week means that the Company is no longer a member of the trade association.
BHTA Director General Tracey Lloyd commented:
‘The BHTA works to protect the reputation of its member companies who supply goods and services to disabled people and to ensure that consumers can buy from them with confidence. It is very important, therefore, that people buying such products do so from a BHTA member company’.
Published: 16th August 2017
British Healthcare members are now on the new search to find a trader in the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. Traders in this scheme display the TSI approved code logo. When you see the logo it means that the trader has agreed to provide good standards of service including clear information before a contract is signed and a clear complaints procedure.
All BHTA members work to the Code of Practice endorsed by (TSI) and the Citizens Advice portal will help guide consumers to members looking for assistance when purchasing healthcare products.
Click the link to find your nearest BHTA member:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/finding-a-trustworthy-trader/finding-a-trader-trading-standards-institute-consumer-codes-approval-scheme/
BHTA Scotland Conference and Garden Lobby Reception Holyrood Scotland
The first event of the British Healthcare Trades Association Centenary calendar will be our Conference at the Macdonald Hotel Holyrood and Garden Lobby Evening Reception in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 24th May 2017.
We have arranged for a great line up of speakers for our afternoon conference with Professor June Andrews a recognised leader in the worldwide movement for people with dementia. June was the Professor of Dementia studies at the Dementia Services development at the University of Stirling for a decade and is a sought after speaker on dementia care.
Dr Mike Winter the Medical Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities (PCF) with NHS service Scotland Mike’s key responsibility is to provide clinical advice and leadership within (PCF) which is responsible for influencing expenditure for consumables within HS Scotland.
Neil Findlay MSP, convener of the Scottish Parliament Health & Sports Committee. Following a career in teaching and local politics he was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2011. Neil was named “Community Politician of the Year in 2015.
There will also be representatives from business as part of the conference panel representing “Doing Business in Scotland”.
David Watt from the Institute of Directors, Stuart Mackinnon Federation of Small Businesses and Euan Kidd Scotland Excel & Skills, development Scotland.
This is a great opportunity to listen, engage and discuss healthcare topics in Scotland with our panel of experts.
The evening garden lobby reception will give BHTA Scotland section members an opportunity to engage with their MSP’s in a relaxed environment within the Scottish Parliament building and celebrate 100 years of healthcare.
Our sponsor for the evening event is Alex Cole-Hamilton Scottish Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson. At this event section members will have a chance to illustrate some the latest designs and innovations in products that are changing how healthcare is delivered by BHTA members today in Scotland and healthcare generally.
For more details about attending either the BHTA Scottish Conference or the Evening Garden Lobby Reception
Contact: Margaret Smith: margaret.smith@caledoniapublicaffairs.com
A new report has revealed that a staggering £625m of taxpayers’ money could be saved if more appropriate provision was made for people needing home adaptations. The report’s authors presented the findings to leading parliamentarians and industry figures in Parliament this morning.
The report was produced by the LSE (London School of Economics) Personal Social Services Research Unit. It found that for every £1 spent on adaptive technologies there could be a net saving to the taxpayer of £1.10 – equating to an annual potential saving of £1,101 per person per year if the government puts aids and adaptations at the heart of its adult social care reforms.
The Government estimates that over half a million people (568,000) over sixty require an adaptation to their home. If the Government were to meet this need, it would deliver a saving of £625m.
The report is the result of a detailed investigation into the case for aids and adaptations as a core component of Britain’s future social care mix. The research examined both quantitative savings related to reduced falls, hospitalisation and operations, and qualitative savings related to confidence and quality of life.
The report Building a business case for investing in adaptive technologies in England makes a clear commercial case for government putting preventative care at the heart of its healthcare policies.
The briefing was sponsored by Anne McGuire MP, chaired by Lord Rennard and industry representatives included Mike Lord of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), Patrick Stannah and Angus Long. The event focussed on the vital role played by adaptations and mobility equipment in allowing people to live independently in their own homes as well as potential savings to taxpayers that result from the provision of home adaptations.
The BHTA have made three core recommendations to government in light of the report’s findings:
Mike Lord, of the BHTA, said that: “Social care is a ticking demographic time bomb – but one that can be diffused. With low cost adaptations such as grab rails or stairlifts, people retain the dignity and quality of independent living while significantly cutting costs. This is a win-win situation; we urge politicians to ensure it is at the heart of social care reform.”
Patrick Stannah, joint managing director, Stannah Lift Services, commented: “The Adult Social Care system is unsustainable and is struggling to deliver. We are now facing a crisis situation, with the shortfall only projected to get worse and worse.
“As the Government considers the draft Social Care Bill, it is vital that it invests in prevention and unlocks the savings identified in this report. Investing in prevention delivers a better deal for older people and a better deal for taxpayers.”
Published: July 2012
Source: Stannah
Page URL: https://www.stannah.com/news/social-care-report-unearths-625m-savings-for-british-taxpayers/