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Finance and Benefits
This section aims to provide links to sites that can help maximise your income and gives details of organisations that can help you.
For details on benefits not listed see www.direct.gov.uk and the “Work, Jobs and Retirement” section.
Age Concern Gwent, Hospital Discharge Service
The service provides support for clients from 55 + who have been discharged from hospital. It is a four week service, operating 7 days a week and the following can be provided: shopping, pension collection, preparing light meals, referring on to other Agencies, etc. All benefit entitlements can be checked if the client wishes. We do not carry out personal care.
Telephone: 01495 227039 (9-5 and answer machine)
Fax: 01495 227039
Age Concern
A service for people over 50, information and advice on a variety of topics including benefits, insurances etc. There is a local Age Concern office in Crumlin.
Telephone: 01495 244228
Assistance with water and/or energy debt
British Gas Energy Trust website has a booklet available on its website that gives information to people on how to get assistance from utility companies with water and/or energy debt. The booklet is in a .pdf format
Attendance Allowance (AA)
A tax free benefit for people aged 65 or over with an illness or disability, who need help with personal care. To arrange a visit for help to complete the form contact The Pension Service
Telephone: 0845 60 60 265
Bereavement Benefits
Bobby Scheme
The bobby scheme can fit FREE window locks and door safety chains for people over 60 or victims of crime.
Telephone: 01633 245202
Business Eye
Business Eye is a free, impartial information service for Wales created to find the answers to your business questions. Whether you are an established company, a new idea, a sole trader or an employer of hundreds, Business Eye is here to help and can put you in contact with support from the public, private or voluntary sectors.
Telephone: 08457 96 97 98
CHAD (Centre for Help & Advice for the Disabled)
CHAD offers a FREE confidential One-2-One client consultation service. We are able to help clients fill in benefit application forms, and liaise with other agencies on the client’s behalf. CHAD also runs a DLA clinic once a month with representatives from the DWP.
For information contact Teena Morgan tel: 01443 822262
Care and Repair
Care and Repair Caerphilly is an independent home improvement agency for people over 60, or disabled, living in the Caerphilly Borough who own their own home or rent from a private landlord (not council). We provide FREE impartial advice on various housing issues including grant availability. Our case worker will visit you at home and can also advise on claiming benefits such as Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit and will complete any application forms for you if you wish.
Telephone: 01495 235393
Carers Allowance (CA)
For people aged 16 or over who are spending at least 35 hours a week looking after someone who is getting a qualifying benefit.
Child Benefit
Paid to the person responsible for a child egardless of income.
Telephone: 0845 302 1444
Child Tax Credit
A payment to support families with children and can be claimed by those responsible for at least 1 child or young person.
Telephone: 0845 300 3900
Citizens Advice Bureau
Finance and Benefits
The CAB provides free and independent advice to people with debt problems. We can help our clients sort out their priority debts, make sure that they have all the income that they are entitled to and deal with their creditors. There is no quick fix, but we help you get back in control of your finances.
The CAB has expert knowledge of the welfare benefits system and can help clients make sure that they are receiving all the benefits that they are entitled to and challenge decisions when benefits have been refused, reduced or stopped. We can advise on all benefits, whether provided by the council, Benefits Agency or Pension Service.
Our Advice Line numbers are:
01443 831112 1:30 – 4:00 Tuesday & Thursday
029 2088 2105 1:30 – 3:30 Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Council Tax Benefit (CTB)
For people on a low income, and savings under £16,000, who need help to pay council tax. .
Telephone: 01443 815588 – ask for the benefits section
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
A tax free benefit for adults up to 64 years of age, with a disability or illness, who need help with getting around or help with personal care or both.
Exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (Car Tax)
You may be entitled to apply for exemption from paying your car tax if, for example, you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. Check out the website or telephone the DVLA for advice.
Telephone: 0870 240 0010
Financial Services Authority
Clear independent and impartial advice on a variety of financial issues including
- Budgets
- Credit
- Debt
- Savings and investments
Funeral Payments
Help The Aged
Help The Aged publishes a wide range of information sheets and reports that can point you in the right direction on matters including benefit entitlements.
Home Energy Efficiency Grants Scheme (HEES)
The Welsh Assembly Government funds the HEES scheme. It provides grants of up to £3,600 for eligible householders in Wales. The scheme offers improvements designed to make homes in Wales warmer and more energy efficient.
Telephone: 0800 316 2815
Housing Benefit (HB)
For people on a low income, and savings under £16,000, who need help with rent.
Telephone: 01443 815588
Income Support (IS)
For people up to the age of 60 with income below a certain threshold, including lone parents and people who have to stay at home to look after relatives etc.
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
For people currently out of work, or who work less than 16 hours a week, up to the age of 65 for men and 60 for women.
Pension Credit (PC)
An income related benefit for people 60 or over. Pension Credit can reward people 65 or over who have saved for their retirement. An online calculator can be found on The Pension Service website.
Telephone number: 0845 60 60 265
Smoke Detectors
The Fire Service can fit FREE smoke detectors on each level of your home.
Telephone: 01443232504
State Pension (SP)
For people who have reached state pension age, currently 60 for women and 65 for men, and who meet the qualifying conditions. State Pension can be deferred and when finally claimed can mean extra weekly pension or a taxable lump sum. Choices on reaching State Pension Age are
· Retire and claim your SP
· Claim your SP and continue working
· Put off claiming your SP for a while to earn extra SP when you do claim, whether you are still working or not
Telephone: 0845 60 60 265
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Employed people who are sick for 4 or more days in a row may qualify for SSP from their employers for a maximum of 28 weeks in 1 spell of sickness.
Working Tax Credit
Help for working people with or without children, single or couples, employed or self employed.
Telephone: 0845 800 3900
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