What help can I get with independent living?

10/03/2008

What help is available to enable one to stay in one’s own home, eg: a stair lift, which I can't afford? I am a 62 year old council tenant on Pension Credit and I get out of breath walking.  Also, I already receive the lower rates for care and mobility within the Disability Living Allowance: will this be increased to Attendance Allowance when I reach 65? The current award ends this year.  

 

Reader from London

 

 

The Benefits Doctor says:

 

Independent living is an important issue and one that your local council’s social services will be able to help you with. A health and social care assessment with the social services department is often the first step towards getting the help and support you need. This can include looking at healthcare, equipment or help in your home. 
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for people under 65 when they first claim, so you will continue to get DLA after 65 as long as you fit the conditions. Once you are over 65, it is then only possible to upgrade your DLA care component to the equivalent of Attendance Allowance. I would also recommend getting touch with your local benefits advice service for help with your DLA renewal forms. 

 

 

Billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed each year by older people - often because the “system” seems confusing and demeaning.  MT‘s “Benefits Doctor” Lee Healey, the manager of leading London charity DABD (UK),  is here to help! Lee writes a “Benefits Doctor” column for Mature Times every month. You can write to him with your questions headed “Benefits Enquiries by email to: jayne.warren@maturetimes.co.uk. We cannot promise to answer all enquiries, but we will certainly do our best