Welfare and Benefits Advice

We can advise you on what you may be entitled to and support you with applications for blue badges and TV licences. If we think you’re not receiving the benefits that you are entitled to, we can refer you for a benefits review with DIAL, a disability information and advice service run by DisAbility Cornwall.

What benefits could I claim?

Attendance Allowance

This is for people over state pension age who need help with personal care because of a physical or mental disability. There are two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability. If you claim an Attendance Allowance you could be entitled to extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or a Council Tax Reduction.  The Attendance Allowance is also tax-free and not income-related.

Find out more: Attendance Allowance  

Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is for people aged between 16 and state pension age. It can help with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability. The rate depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. It’s tax-free and you can claim it whether you’re in or out of work. To be eligible for PIP you must have a long-term health condition or disability and difficulties with activities related to daily living and/or mobility.

Find out more: Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Pension Credit

You may be entitled to Pension Credit if you and your partner (if you live with a partner) are over state pension age and are on a low income. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs and can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. In addition, if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, you could receive a one-off payment in the winter to reduce your electricity bill.

Find out more: Pension Credit  

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. You must be aged between 18 and the State Pension age and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments in order to be eligible.

Find out more: Universal Credit 

Blind Person’s Allowance

Blind Person’s Allowance is a tax-free allowance which means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax. You can only claim Blind Person’s Allowance if you’re registered with your local council as blind or severely sight impaired or you have a document from your doctor that says you’re blind or severely sight impaired.

Find out more: Blind Person’s Allowance: 

Disability Living Allowance

This is a tax-free benefit for disabled people who need help with mobility or care costs. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can now only be claimed on behalf of children under the age of 16 years. However, if you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you’ll continue to get DLA as long as you’re eligible for it. There are two components of (DLA); the care component and the mobility component. Your child might qualify for one or both components and the amount of benefit awarded depends on the level of help your child needs.

Find out more: Disability Living Allowance

Additional benefits

If any of these benefits are awarded it may increase the amount of Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Pension Credit you’re entitled to and reduce the amount of Housing Benefit or Council Tax you have to pay. Additionally, your carer (if you have one) may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance in their own right.

Find out more: Carer’s Allowance

Access to work

Access to work is a government funded grant which helps people with disabilities within the workplace. It can be used to pay for specialist equipment, a personal support worker or transport costs if you can’t use public transport.

Find out more: Access to work

Concessions

If you are registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired there are a number of concessions that you may be entitled to.

Blue Badge Parking Permit

A blue badge enables the person driving you to park in designated disabled parking bays and on some yellow lines (some exceptions apply). You do not have to be a driver or a car owner to apply for a blue badge but you do have to be travelling in the car when it is used. If you are registered as severely sight impaired you automatically qualify for a blue badge. If you are registered as sight impaired but have other health conditions, Cornwall Council will need to assess your application. You can contact Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 121 or apply directly online at www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge, or for a small charge of £5, we can help you with the application process. If your application is successful there is a £10 charge for the blue badge made payable to Cornwall Council.

Find out more: Blue Badge Parking Permit

Free Bus Pass

If you live in Cornwall and are blind or partially sighted you will be eligible to apply for a free bus pass. You will need to provide proof of your registration with the council or alternatively you can provide a letter from your doctor or optician. You will also need proof of address and a passport style photograph.

Find out more: Disabled person’s bus pass

Disabled Person’s Railcard

If you’re registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired you’re entitled to a Disabled Person’s Railcard which enables you and the person that you’re travelling with to get 1/3 off ticket prices. The railcard costs approximately £20 per year and you can apply online (https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/) or call 0345 605 0525.

Find out more: Disabled Persons Railcard

TV Licence Blind Concession

If you or someone you live with is registered as severely sight impaired (blind) you’re eligible for a 50% concession on your TV licence. It does not apply if you are registered as sight impaired (partially sighted). You can apply online or, for a small charge of £5, we can help you with the application process.

Find out more:  TV Licensing ™ 

Cornwall Council Handyperson Scheme

If you are over 60 or have a disability you are eligible for Cornwall Council’s handyperson scheme which gives you access to trusted tradespeople to make minor repairs and adaptations around your home. The scheme costs just £12 per hour if you are in receipt of a means tested benefit, such as Guaranteed Pension Credit, or £18 per hour if not. Materials are an additional charge. To refer yourself into the service contact Cornwall Council on 01872 224707.

Find out more: Handyperson Scheme – Cornwall Council | Care and Support in Cornwall

Support with Energy Bills

Winter Fuel Payment

If you are of State Pension age you could receive a payment to help you with your heating bills. This is known as the Winter Fuel Payment. If you are eligible the payment will be made automatically between November and December.

Find out more: Winter Fuel Payment

Warm Home Discount

If you are in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit you’ll automatically receive a £140 discount of your electricity bill. You may also be eligible for the discount if you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme. The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October and March. You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. And you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.

Find out more: Warm Home Discount Scheme

Cost of Living Payment

You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.

You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. The payments will be made separately from your benefit or tax credits.

Find out more: Cost of Living Payment