Helping Older People in North Ayrshire and Arran
June 2009

Dear Constituent,

Katy

Pension Credit
This is for people aged 60 and over. Pension Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of £130 per week if you are single, or £198.45 per week for a couple. In addition pensioners over 65 who have savings may be rewarded for having saved.
People on Pension Credit may be entitled to free dental treatment as well as some other services. For more information call 0800 99 1234.

Housing/Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is available if you are on a low income. You do not have to be getting any other benefits to qualify. For more information contact your local council office. If you live alone you are eligible for a 25% discount on Council Tax, and a person with severe mental impairment is exempt from Council Tax.

War Pensions Scheme
You may qualify if you have been injured or disabled as a result of your service in the armed forces. To find out more call the service Personnel and Veterans Agency on 0800 169 2277.

Veterans Badge
The government has instituted a Veterans Badge for every person who has served in the Armed Forces. To find out more call Katy’s office on 01505 684127.

Free Passport
This is available to all British citizens born before 02/09/1929. For further information call 0870 521 0410.

Free Bus Travel
If you are disabled or over 60 in North Ayrshire you quality for free unrestricted bus travel throughout Scotland with One Scotland Entitlement Card. People who live in the area covered by Strathclyde’s Concessionary Travel Scheme can also use their entitlement Card to obtain cheaper fares on First ScotRail trains and the Glasgow Subway within the area covered by the scheme. For details contact Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on 0141 333 3211. For new applications call 0870 4288247.

Senior Railcard
This is for people over 60 and costs £26 per year or £65 for a three year period. A Senior Railcard gives 1/3 off standard and first class travel as well as other benefits. For more information call 08457 48 49 50.

Free Driving Licence
If you are aged 70 or over and due to renew your Driving License, you are now entitled to renew for free. The DVLA will send you a renewal from when your old Licence is about to expire. For further information call 0870 240 0009.

Attendance Allowance
If you are 65 or over and need help with personal care, such as washing, dressing, etc, you can apply for this benefit. Higher rate, for day and night care, is £70.35 and lower rate, for day care only, is £47.10. For further information call 0800 882 2000

Married Couples Allowance
If you’re married and either you or your partner were born before 6th April 1935 you qualify to claim Married Couples Allowance. For information contact the Inland Revenue on 0845 070 3703.

Free Prescription and Eye Tests
If you are aged 60 or over, you can get free NHS prescriptions and eye tests and may be entitled to help with various other health related costs including free NHS dental treatment, free wigs and free fabric supports. You may also get vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses and refunds of necessary travel costs to hospital for NHS treatment (including check ups). For more information pick up the leaflet “HC11 Are you entitled to help with health costs?” at the local post office or call the Scottish Parliament Older People Helpline on 0845 125 9732.

Free TV Licence
You can receive a free TV Licence if you are aged 75 or over. For more information call the TV Licensing Information Helpline on 0845 602334.

Carer’s Allowance
If you are looking after a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week you could get Carer’s Allowance. The disabled person must be entitled to Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate) for personal care, or a Constant Attendance Allowance if the person is receiving a War Disabled Pension. The weekly payment for those who qualify is £53.10. However eligible carers on benefits get a Carers Premium which varies according to their income - for more information call the Job Centre Plus Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 2000.

Winter Fuel Payment
A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 or over with the cost of heating during the winter. If you are aged 60 to 79 you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment of £250 per household. If you are 80 or over you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment of £400 per household. You should receive your payment automatically in time for Christmas. For more information 0845 915 15 15.

Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment provides additional help towards heating costs when there is a cold spell. If you are on Pension Credit or another income related benefit, this could be for you. Payment is made automatically for those eligible when the weather is below 0º for a period of 7 consecutive days. For more information call the local Pension Centre on 0845 606 0265.

Energy Assistance Package
Anyone can phone Energy Savings Scotland at 0800 512012 for free advice. Anyone at risk of fuel poverty can get benefits and tax checks plus information on low energy tariffs. You may qualify for loft insulation and cavity wall insulation if you are a homeowner or private tenant, if you or your partner are 70 years or over with no central heating, are aged 75 years or over, or receive a qualifying benefit. Similar help may be available if you are a local authority tenant or have a social landlord.
You may qualify for full central heating and insulation if you are a homeowner or private tenant if you are 60 or over and have never had central heating, if you are 75 or over and live in an energy inefficient home, or if you are 60 or over, live in an energy inefficient home and receive a qualifying benefit such as attendance allowance, pension credit with a guarantee element, etc. To find out more phone 0800 512012 or visit http://www.energyassistancepackage.com [1]

Contents Insurance
If you are a North Ayrshire Council Tenant over 60 years of age, the council have a special arrangement with Royal & Sun Alliance which you can apply for through the council. It gives cover like flood damage and freezer contents etc. Forms are available in housing officers.

Free Personal Care at Home
If you live at home and think you need personal care, you should ask the Social Work Department (01294 317700) to carry out a Care Needs Assessment. You will not have to pay for any personal care you are assessed as needing. The care would be provided by local authority staff or by an agency commissioned by them. You will still have to pay for non-personal care costs, such as meals on wheels, shopping etc.
If you wish to organise your own personal care you should contact the North Ayrshire Council Independent Living Team 01294 276650.

Living in a Care Home
If you are aged 65 or over and require 24 hour care which has been assessed by North Ayrshire Council, you are entitled to assistance with care home costs. If you have assets of under £17,750 the council will top up your state pension and benefits to a maximum cost of the nursing home of £540.10 per week. If your assets are between £17,750 to £22,500 you receive less towards the costs. If you have assets over £22,500 you will receive £222 per week contribution towards a nursing home place provided North Ayrshire Council have assessed you as needing this. If you have a spouse living in your family home, usually its value is not part of your assessment. To get more information or to discuss your needs you should contact your Social Work Department 01294 317700.

Katy Clark MP
53 Main Street
Kilbirnie

KA25 7BX

Phone: 01505 684127
E-mail: clarkk@parliament.uk [2]
Website: www.katyclarkmp.org.uk [3]