Action for M.E. produces a range of information sheets which give you details on what benefits are available. The sheets help you to decide which benefits may be appropriate for you and give you information on applying and, if necessary, appealing. Read our guide to benefits for a range of information and advice.
If you are in further or higher education you may be eligible for benefits and certain exemptions.
Always check with your local Jobcentreplus for up to date information about benefits, as you or your parents/carers may be eligible for benefit support such as:
For you:
- Income Support
If you are aged between 16 and 25 you may be able to claim young person's non-contribution Incapacity Benefit or Income Support.
- Housing Benefit
If you live in a rented house and pay rent and you have a low income, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit. You do not have to have any other benefits to qualify. You may also be able to claim a Council Tax Benefit. It is worth talking to an advisor to check whether you qualify.
- New Deal for Young People
Help and support to improve your job prospects if you are aged 18 to 24, and you are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, and you have been unemployed for 6 months or more.
New Deal is individually-tailored practical help and support to improve your job prospects. There are different schemes to suit your circumstances. Under the New Deal you will have a personal adviser who will help you to look for a job.
There are Disability Employment Advisers for people with a disability. Ask your Jobcentre Plus about New Deal for Young People.
For your parents/carers:
- Disability Living Allowance for Children under age 16
You can claim DLA for a child with a severe physical or mental illness or disability. DLA is broken into two components, mobility and care.
- Mobility consists of two levels, higher and lower. A blue badge is automatically awarded at the higher rate and Vehicle Exemption Tax can be applied for.
- Care consists of three levels, higher, middle and lower. If your child is on the middle or high rate, you may be able to claim a carer's allowance
If your child is aged 3 months and over and needs extra help looking after or has severe difficulty walking, or if your child is age 5 and over and need extra help to get around outdoors, then you should check out DLA.
- Carer's Allowance
If you are aged 16 or over, and spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone who is getting or waiting to hear about Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance or War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.
Carer's Allowance is paid to full-time carers, it may increase or decrease other benefits that the carer claims. Benefits that are claimed by the person you look after may also reduce.
- Free Milk
If your child cannot attend school because they have a physical or mental illness and they are aged 5-16, you may be able to get free milk for them.
Information and Advice
To find out more information and to get up to the minute advice check out the organisations listed in our useful links.
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