1. Overview of Benefits
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

2. Who can get sickness and disability benefits?
Still working
Employed but can’t work Don’t work because of illness
Caring for someone
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

3. Types of benefits Contributory Non-contributory Means tested
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

4. Working May be eligible for other things, e.g. free prescriptions
No change to income but outgoings may increase
Working Tax Credit
Disability benefits
May be eligible for other things, e.g. free prescriptions
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

5. Employed – off sick Occupational sick pay Statutory sick pay
Help with rent or mortgage costs
Help with Council Tax
Tax Credits
Savings and partner’s income taken into account for income-related
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

6. Not employed
Employment and support allowance - contribution based or income related
Savings and partner’s income taken into account for income-related
Help with rent or mortgage costs
Help with Council Tax
Child Tax Credit
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

7. Severely affected Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – 16-65
care needs
mobility needs
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – under 16
Attendance Allowance (AA) – 65 and over
Special rules for terminal illness
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

8. How ESA is assessed Physical descriptors Mental health descriptors
Descriptors look at how your condition affects ability to carry out certain activities
MH - incl support needed to complete tasks
Variable condition
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

9. How PIP is assessed Daily living activities Mobility activities
Descriptors look at whether you can carry out certain activities and if you need assistance with them
MH - incl support needed to complete tasks
Variable condition
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

10.
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

11. Help filling in ESA50 form
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

12. Help filling in ESA50 form (cont)
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

13. Help filling in ESA50 form (cont)
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

14. Help filling in PIP form
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

15. Help filling in PIP form (cont)
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

16. Carers Carer’s Allowance
Provide 35 hours or more of care/support to someone on PIP, AA or DLA
Not working, or
Working but earning less than a certain amount each week
Not a student
Not on certain benefits
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

17. Care Act 2014
If you are elderly, disabled or have an illness, you may be able to get care and support arranged by your local council to help you live as normally as possible.
Council website has information on adult care and support
IACE team contacts Jill and Claire: Care support advisors based in Macclesfield but covering Cheshire East . Tel
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

18. Telephone Claire or Jill:
IACE
Telephone Claire or Jill:
Website:
Helpline:
(24 hour answer service)

19. Cheshire East Council website

20. Other things to consider
Help with prescription charges
- free prescriptions if patient has certain conditions
Help with costs to travel to hospital
- Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
Blue badge
- severe walking disabilities
All benefits may be affected by changes in circumstances during the illness, e.g. hospital stays
Accurate as at Nov Please be aware that the welfare benefits system is complicated and changes frequently. For specific advice please contact Citizens Advice Cheshire North on

21. Come and see us We operate face to face services in
Macclesfield (Sunderland Street)
Knutsford (Town Council Offices)
Poynton (Civic Hall)
Wilmslow (4 venues)
Drop in sessions & appointments (including telephone call-backs)

22. Other ways to get help You can also contact CA for advice via
Telephone – –
Self help websites

23. Self Help Websites
CA national website CA local website

24. Next step Phone or visit our offices Pick up a leaflet
Check out our websites