Money & Benefits

In the days following encephalitis, money can be a concern. If the person who has been ill was employed when they had encephalitis, their employer should pay them in line with any company sickness package they have or at least Stautory Sick Pay, which can be paid for the first 28 weeks of an illness.

The effects of encephalitis may have an effect on employment and a family's finances. Claiming benefits can help to ease the pressure however the processes are often not easy. It can be a frustrating experience, especially for someone left with difficulties talking, with memory or with understanding. The system is complex and can be confusing, so it is important to get professional advice and to apply as soon as possible so that money to which you are entitled is not lost.

People and families on low income may be able to claim Income Support or Tax Credits. The social worker at the hospital, your local social worker, or the disability benefits advisor at your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau, can all help. Their details can be found in your local telephone directory or go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Benefits advice can be obtained from the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882200.

Headway - the brain injury association produce a booklet 'Welfare Benefits after brain injury', available from their web site www.headway.org.uk or from their Helpline 0808 800 2244 .

The Disability Alliance also have some excellent guides to help you claim benefits and fill in the forms correctly. They can also provide advice and information. www.disabilityalliance.org Tel: 020 7247 8776 or Email: office.da@dial.pipex.com

Direct payments - What are they, who can get them?

There is quite a lot of confusion about the term “direct payment”. Direct payments can mean two things – the direct payment of state benefits into a bank account or the direct payments that can be made by Social Services to someone who has support and care needs so that they can arrange and pay for their own care. This article is about the second type of direct payment.

Direct Payments are cash payments made in lieu of social service provisions, to individuals who have been assessed as needing services. They can be made to disabled people aged 16 or over, to people with parental responsibility for disabled children, and to carers aged 16 or over in respect of carer services.

The aim of a direct payment is to give more flexibility in how services are provided to many individuals who are assessed eligible for social services support. By giving individuals money in lieu of social care services people have greater choice and control over their lives, and are able to make their own decisions about how their care is delivered.

The National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) produces “Everything you need to know about getting and using Direct Payments” and other useful information www.ncil.org.uk