| Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS website. |
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| Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives. |
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Benefits For CarersYou might not think of yourself as a carer. But you probably are if you're looking after someone regularly, including your spouse or a family member, because they're ill or disabled. As a carer, you may be entitled to one or more state benefits to help you with the costs. Carer's AllowanceWhat it isCarer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers. It's £81.90 a week. You can get it ifYou look after someone for at least 35 hours a week. You cannot get it ifYou get more than £81.90 a week from some other benefits. But it's still worth applying as you may have what's called an underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance. This can help increase other benefits you're getting. Find out moreCarer's CreditWhat it isA National Insurance (NI) contribution to help make sure you do not lose out on some social security benefits, such as the State Pension, because of gaps in your NI record. You can get it ifYou look after someone for at least 20 hours a week and you do not get Carer's Allowance. Find out moreCarer PremiumWhat it isAn allowance you get on top of some benefits. You can get it ifYou already get a benefit, such as Income Support or Housing Benefit. How to claim Carer PremiumAsk about it at your local Jobcentre Plus or Jobs and Benefits Office. Disability Living Allowance for childrenWhat it isAn allowance to help with the extra costs of looking after a child under 16 years old with a disability. It's between £28.70 and £184.30 a week. You can get it ifYou're the parent or carer of a disabled child. Find out moreCheck what benefits you can getCheck if you're entitled to Carer's Allowance and other benefits with the entitled to benefits calculator. Use the entitled to benefits calculator Get a carer's assessmentAs a carer, you may be eligible for support from your local council. Before you receive any help from your local council, you need to have a carer's assessment. Find out how to get a carer's assessment Get help and adviceGet expert benefits advice, plus help filling in claim forms, from:
How to challenge a benefits decisionYou can challenge a benefits decision if:
You can find out how to challenge a benefits decision on the Carers UK website |
| OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic. | | |
| Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com. | ||