Blue Badge Holders Urged To Claim Benefits
| Published: 22nd April 2008 16:57 |
Blue Badge holders across the county may be missing out on the benefits they are entitled to.
People who already have a Disabled Person's Parking Badge, a Blue Badge, and are aged over 65 could also qualify for Attendance Allowance.
Many Blue Badge holders are not aware that the reason they have their badge is due to some form of disability, which may open the door to entitlement to an Attendance Allowance payment of either £44.85 or £67 per week.
As part of their ongoing Benefits Uptake Campaign, Leicestershire County Council and Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland are offering a free telephone helpline, 0800 567 7047, from Monday, April 28, to help people apply for the allowance.
Even if people don't have a Blue Badge they may be entitled to claim Attendance Allowance, which is a health-related allowance payable to over 65s who struggle with their personal care.
It is not means tested and will not adversely affect any other benefit to which people are entitled. In many cases when Attendance Allowance is awarded other benefits either start or are increased.
The temporary helpline will run until Friday, May 2, for people over 65 to call the trained Age Concern advisors for confidential advice about how to claim and practical assistance with completing Attendance Allowance application forms.
David Sprason, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Social Care, said: "We believe there are many older people in Leicestershire who may not realise that they qualify for Attendance Allowance. If people have a Blue Badge already we would encourage them to explore fully what other entitlements they may get. A quick call is all it takes, and experts will be on hand to take their call."
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