Carers Allowance
If you spend a lot of time looking after someone with GRI, you may be entitled to extra financial support in the form of a benefit called Carer’s Allowance. If the person you look after receives DLA, PIP, Child Disability Payment or Adult Disability Payment in Scotland for at least 35 hours a week and you don’t earn more than the designated threshold per week (after deductions), you may be entitled to Carers Allowance. Find more information here https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance. If you live in Scotland, you may be able to apply for a similar benefit called Carer Support Payment instead. Find more information here https://www.mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement
Financial Support for Carers
While rewarding and fun, taking care of a person with a GRI condition can also be exhausting, stressful and worrying. It is often a full time job and one that can be done in addition to working for an income. It’s important for carers and the person we care for that their needs are met and that you as a carer get the support you need.
Wherever you live in the UK, support should be available as councils and the NHS have a legal duty to ensure that disabled people and their carers daily living and health needs are adequately met so they can be as independent as possible. While this will look different across the UK because of the different laws in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and the way that different councils implement the law. Ask your local council for an assessment to see what you are entitled to.
There are a variety of personal budgets or self-directed support available depending on your needs, local authority, and if you are an adult, your financial situation. These include:
- personal budget for disabled adults or children with social care needs
- personal health budget for disabled adults or children with health needs
- carer’s personal budget for unpaid carers
- personal wheelchair budget for disabled adults or children
- personal budget for Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)
- continuing healthcare budget
Personal Budgets
Personal Healthcare Budgets
A personal health budget is an amount of NHS money that is allocated to support your health and wellbeing needs.
If you’re eligible for it, you (or someone who represents you), will work with your local NHS team to plan how you spend the money and get the care you need.
A personal health budget allows you to manage your healthcare and support such as treatments, equipment and personal care, in a way that suits you. It works in a similar way to personal budgets and direct payments, which allow people to manage and pay for their social care needs. (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/what-is-a-personal-health-budget/)
Personal budgets are not available in Wales.
Personal Budgets (for Social Care)
Scotland
You must apply for Personal Carer Budget through your local authority, your appointed social worker will assess you (parent/legal guardian) and your child to determine how much rest bite they think you should be allowed. After the assessment is completed and you do not agree with what they have awarded you, you should appeal the decision stating the reasons. The process is completed annually and you will have to submit your accounts (personal budget you have been given ) annually.
England & Wales
Northern Ireland