Disability and sickness benefits

A form and some moneyMost people who have had a stroke will be entitled to some sort of income, either from their employer or from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  


Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If you are employed, you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer, depending on how long you've been employed, your age and how much you earn. SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks of sickness. When your entitlement to SSP ends, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance, a new benefit (replacing Incapacity Benefit and Income Support from 27 October 2008). If your stroke (or illness) happened before 27 October 2008 and you are under State Pension age you may still be able to claim Incapacity Benefit.


Department for Work and Pensions benefits
Contact the Benefits Agency, Department for Work and Pensions, for more information on the following:

  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaces Income Support and Incapacity Benefit from 27 October 2008 and is paid to people who cannot work because of illness or disability. There is more information about this new benefit at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm)
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for people under 65 to help with personal care and mobility. It can be claimed alongside other benefits and income, and is not based on financial circumstances
  • Attendance Allowance (AA) is for people 65 and over who need help with personal care. Payment starts six months after a stroke but can be claimed beforehand
  • Someone who cares for a disabled person for more than 35 hours a week may be entitled to Carer's Allowance (CA), depending on other benefits and their income.


Benefits Agency enquiry line

  • Freephone: 0800 88 22 00
  • Textphone for people with hearing difficulties: 0800 24 33 55


Low-income benefits:
Income Support, If you are aged 16-59 (contact your local Jobcentre) 

  • Working Tax Credit (contact HM Revenue and Customs on 0845 300 3900)
  • Pension Credit, if you are over 65 (phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234)
  • Help with payment of mortgage interest


Local council benefits
House and moneyApply to your local council to see if you can claim Housing Benefit (for help with rent) or Council Tax Benefit (for help with Council Tax bills). 

Local council benefits and low-income benefits are paid to couples, so each partner's income is taken into account.


Links:
Going to hospital
Returning home
Health professionals
Social services
Stroke Association services
How can family help?
Going back to work
Driving