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City Hospice Cost of Living Response

We offer tailored advice based on your circumstances, so we help you identify your eligibility for benefits and assist you in claiming them.

City Hospice Cost of Living response

There are considerable costs associated with illness and treatment, such as travel to appointments, childcare, heating, and general daily living expenses.

Your ability to work may be affected by your illness, the effects of your treatment, the psychological impact of your diagnosis, or a combination of all these factors.

During this time, state and local authorities provide the majority of financial support. While most benefits are means tested, some are not and can be paid regardless of household income.

City Hospice can help with:

We offer tailored advice based on your circumstances, so we help you identify your eligibility for benefits and assist you in claiming them.

We are here to help you fill out the application forms, provide advice, and gain knowledge of the benefits that are available, Benefits differ according to age and personal circumstances.

Click on any of the options below to read more information:

Working Age Benefits

Universal Credit

The introduction of Universal Credit (UC) in 2013 replaced most income related benefits in order to streamline the benefits system. Due to the fact that it is still being rolled out, it may not be available in all areas, as it will not be fully implemented until 2024.

It is designed to incorporate 6 benefits into one monthly payment. Replacing:

  • Income based Jobseekers allowance.
  • Income based Employment and support allowance.
  • Income Support.
  • Working Tax credits.
  • Child Tax credits.
  • Housing benefit.

Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Universal credit acts as a top-up to your income if you are unable to work because of an illness or care for a person with a life-limiting illness, regardless of whether you are working or not. You may claim Universal credit whether or not you are working and if your income has decreased.

Universal credit also includes rent payments so you can pay your rent directly yourself.

If you are already receiving any of the 6 benefits then you can stay on these benefits unless you have a change in circumstances, please seek advice before changing over to Universal credit.  If you continue on these benefits the Department for Works and Pensions will contact you when you are due to migrate to universal credit, so then you do not need to apply.

Sickness Benefits

These provide additional income while you are sick from work. They Include:

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
  • New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NSESA)
  • Universal Credit

Benefits – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits and financial support if you’re disabled or have a health condition.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a tax-free benefit for people aged 16 or over who have not reached the State Pension age. There are criteria which need to be met to qualify for this benefit so it is advisable to seek assistance with claiming this benefit.

https://www.gov.uk/pip

Benefits if you are of Pension age

In addition to the state pension, those with long-term health conditions can receive additional assistance.

Pension Credit

When you are over the State Pension age and have a low income, you may qualify for Pension Credit to help with your living costs. Housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges, can also be covered by Pension Credit. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

Pension Credit: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Attendance Allowance (AA), if you are aged over pension age and have a health condition.

Eligibility

You can get an Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

  • you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example, blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
  • your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
  • you have needed that help for at least 6 months (unless you might have 6 months or less to live)

Attendance Allowance: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits from your Local Council

Housing Benefit

If you rent your home, then you may be eligible for Housing Benefits to help with your rent payments.  If you get Universal Credit, then help with the rent will be included as part of your claim.

Council Tax Support/Reduction.

Anyone on a low income who has council tax to pay may qualify.

Please be aware Council tax reduction is not being merged with Universal Credit, so a separate claim needs to be made, directly to your local council for Council Tax Reduction.

Council Tax Rebate.

Many households will be entitled to a £150.00 council tax rebate. To be eligible your property needs to be in Council Tax bands A to D, and the property must be your sole or main residence. This will be applied automatically and you should not need to apply. You can check your housing band here: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPS).

These are payments made by the local authority to help with housing costs.

Including those affected by:

  • the benefit cap
  • removal of the spare room subsidy in the social rented sector
  • Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates

You may get a DHP to cover housing costs for:

  • a rent shortfall
  • rent deposits
  • rent in advance if you need to move home

The Household Support Fund.

You may be able to get help with essential costs from your local council. This could help if you’re struggling to afford things like:

  • Energy and water bills
  • Food
  • Essential items

Your council may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays.

This funding is available to anyone who’s vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council.

You can check what help is available on your local authority website: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk

Benefits for Carers

Carers Allowance.

You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.

The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:

  • Personal Independence Payment – daily living component
  • Disability Living Allowance – the middle or highest care rate
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Child Disability Payment – the middle or highest care rate
  • Adult Disability Payment – daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate

You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for this person. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get, please seek advice before claiming.

Your eligibility

All of the following must apply:

  • you’re 16 or over.
  • you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.
  • you’ve been in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 2 of the last 3 years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
  • you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, or you live abroad as a member of the armed forces (you might still be eligible if you’re moving to or already living in an EEA country or Switzerland)
  • you’re not in full-time education.
  • you’re not studying for 21 hours a week or more.
  • you’re not subject to immigration control
  • your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.

Carer’s Allowance: Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Carers Credit.

You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.

Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record.

Energy Assistance

Energy Bills Support Scheme.

A £400 reduction off energy bills for households was made payable from October 2022. This automatic, non-repayable discount is applied in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023 to help households through the winter months.  You do not need to apply for this it is applied to any household with a domestic electricity meter.

Warm Home Discount.

You may be eligible for £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid directly to you however it’s a one-off reduction on your electricity bill, payable between October 2022 and March 2023.You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

If you’re struggling with Energy debt

The British Gas Energy Trust would encourage you to contact your local Money Advice Agency for help before applying for a grant. If you get advice, this will help your chances of a successful grant application.

You can find your local Money Advice agency here:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/use-our-debt-advice-locator

You can telephone the advice services

PayPlan

PayPlan’s supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts every year, and treat all of their calls with the strictest confidence.

StepChange Debt Charity

  • stepchange.org
  • 0800 138 1111

Call the UK’s leading debt charity. Get free, confidential advice and practical solutions to help you deal with your debts.

Debt Advice Foundation

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.

National Debtline

Face to Face Advice

A charity that provides free face to face debt advice in your own home, with ongoing support available by telephone. Give our friendly team a call on 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org to find out more.

Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024

You may get Cost of Living Payments between spring 2023 and spring 2024 if you are receiving a state pension, and you get low-income or disability benefits.

The government has announced  Cost of Living Payments will be made between spring 2023 and spring 2024. These payments are:

  • £301 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during spring 2023
  • £150 for people on an eligible disability benefit, to be paid during summer 2023
  • £300 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during autumn 2023
  • £300 for pensioner households, to be paid during winter 2023 to 2024
  • £299 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid in spring 2024

Further help can be found at: Help for Households – Get government cost of living support