Advocacy & Welfare Benefits
Updated: Jun 24
Arlene Astley from Advocard presents information on changes to welfare benefits and the kind of advocacy support they provide.
July Meeting Summary: Advocacy & Welfare Benefits
At July's all ages meeting, Advocard's long-standing benefits guru Arlene Astley gave us a run-through of the many changes to benefits that are occurring, and reminded us all that Advocard is here to help you for free. Advocard is an organization based in Edinburgh that provides individual advocacy for anyone experiencing mental health issues. Find the key highlights from Arlene's presentation below.
Types of Benefits
ESA/New Style ESA
Universal credit has replaced ESA for most new claims. People entitled to Contribution-based ESA only claim New Style ESA instead of Universal Credit.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit has replaced income support and income-based jobseeker allowance, income-related employment support allowance, working or child tax credit, and housing benefits. There is no limit on working hours and claims can be made online.
SSSA Devolved Benefits
Child Disability Payment - extra money to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability or health condition. It replaces Disability Living Allowance.
Adult Disability Payment - extra money to help people who have a longterm illness or a disability that affects their everyday life. It replaces Personal Independence Payment.
SSSA Supplementary Benefits
Best Start Grants - provides eligible families with £754.65 on the birth of their first child,£377.35 on the birth of any subsequent children, and £314.45 to help with the costs of learning
Carer’s Allowance Supplement – automatic payment made twice a year to people who get Carer’s Allowance through the DWP
Funeral Support Payment – money towards the costs of a funeral
Job Start Payment – £294.70 for 16 to 24 year olds to help with the costs of starting a job.
Young Carer Grant – annual payment of £359.65 for people 16- 18 who care for people who get a disability benefit from the DWP for an average of 16 hours a week or more.
Child Winter Heating Assistance - a £235.70 payment for families of a child on the highest rate care component of DLA
Scottish Child Payment - £100 every four weeks to help towards the costs of looking after each child under 16 for families who get certain benefits
Winter Heating Payment - a yearly payment of £50 to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter.
Government Funded Benefits Provided by Local Authority
Discretionary Housing Payments
Housing cost elements of Universal Credit / Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction
Scottish Welfare Fund
Role of Advocacy
Advocacy workers help you to secure and know your rights, communicate your wants, and represent you if you are unable. Advocacy workers do not provide advice, but they work hard to make sure you are heard and understood.
Advocard offers practical support by completing claim forms/questionnaires, contacting benefit agencies, gathering evidence on your behalf, attending assessments and appointments, and requesting reconsideration.
Digital Advocacy Service
Did you know that Advocard have launched a new Digital Advocacy Service which can support you to engage with digital health care appointments or online appointments with your social worker? Clink here to learn more.
We'd like to thank Arlene both for the work she does at Advocard and for her presentation on benefits and advocacy. You can view her presentation for more information.
