Benefits are there to make tough times that little bit easier. To ensure that when it feels like your world is falling apart, you have a little help to make sure it doesn’t.
However, while it is great that these are put in place and they are a source of help and comfort during bad times, there are some that you really hope you will never have to claim, simply because claiming them will mean you are in a situation you hoped you would never have to be in.
Here are three benefits you should definitely claim if you find yourself in these situation, but let’s hope you never do:
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Bereavement Allowance
If you are claiming this allowance it means you have lost a spouse or a partner – something we would all like to think will never happen but, unfortunately, it can.
If you do find yourself in this situation claiming benefits will probably be the last thing on your mind while you are grieving but the situation can get a whole lot worse if money becomes an issue. Perhaps your partner was the breadwinner or you are struggling to find the money to pay for the funeral.
There are several different options and you will have to match certain criteria to claim. The type of benefit you can claim will be dependent on things such as your age, whether you have children and whether you were married or just living together.
Check out the Money Advice Service to find out more about bereavement benefits. Although, be aware this could affect other benefits, so make sure you check this first.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits
If you have to claim this benefit then you have become ill or are disabled because of an accident or disease either at work or on an approved employment training scheme or course. Not a situation you ever want to find yourself in!
The amount you will get depends on your individual circumstances. You will be judged by a medical advisor on a scale of 1 to 100% to determine your level of disability.
Normally you must be assessed as 14% or more to see any benefits. If you are at the bottom of the scale you will receive around £33.60 a week, however if you are at the top of the scale you will receive around £168.
Carer’s Allowance
We are all happy to care for other people but if we are doing it because they are ill or disabled it can take over your entire life meaning working is out of the question.
We don’t want to avoid the Carer’s Allowance because we don’t care, we want to avoid it because we do! We don’t want those close to us to be in a position where they need that kind of care. However, with the above, it is unavoidable and some of us will find ourselves needing to claim this allowance.
You could get £62.10 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for. But you won’t be paid extra if you care for more than one person.
If you do find yourself needing these benefits, don’t miss out on them! They really will make a difficult time that little bit easier.