Money and rights · 30 min
A support check, once a year
An hour once a year to find out what help, allowances and discounts you or the person you care for may be entitled to.
Many people who care for someone, or who live with illness or disability, may be entitled to help they never claim, simply because nobody told them. A once-a-year check is a calm way to find out what applies to you.
The steps
Four small steps,in your own time.
Choose a quiet hour and gather a few facts: your household income, your housing costs, any conditions or disabilities in the household, and how many hours a week you spend caring.
Use an official government benefits checker or calculator for your country, if there is one, or contact a free, independent advice service near you.
Make a short list of anything you might be entitled to, from regular payments to smaller things such as discounts on local taxes, travel concessions or help with heating costs.
Choose one item on the list and start the claim or make the call this week. Write the date in your paperwork folder.
The reason
Why it helps
Support systems are often complicated, and entitlements change as circumstances change. Checking once a year, with official or independent help, means you are less likely to miss something you are owed. Taking one action straight away turns a good intention into real help.
A gentle variation
If forms make you anxious, ask a free advice service whether they can help fill them in; many do this every day. If you are caring for someone, check their entitlements too, with their permission.
WE · TRIBE
Try itwith someone.
Ask a friend or family member to sit with you while you do it. A second pair of eyes helps with forms, and it makes the hour less lonely.
Try it today
This week, run one official benefits or support checker for your household and write down one thing to follow up.
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