If you are living with a life-limiting or terminal illness in Lincolnshire, we might be able to help you access the benefits or grants you are entitled to – from MND to Parkinson’s, Dementia to COPD.
Our Welfare & Benefits team exists to ease money worries with practical advice and guidance, but most importantly, to listen and to reassure.
Including discussing the benefits you may be entitled to, supporting and completing application forms, and accessing grants or other support that may be needed.
We are proud to take a whole-family approach – supporting not just the patient, but also spouses and carers. Our Welfare & Benefits team aim to ensure the whole household’s finances are considered, at a time when it is needed most.
One of the first things people worry about after a diagnosis is their financial security, and the impact this will have on themselves and their family.
Our Welfare and Benefits team are here to support you, your spouse or carer, in a variety of ways:
Although there are some areas the team does not cover, such as debt management or legal matters, we can signpost you to the relevant people.
If you would like to talk to us about what you could be entitled to, contact our Welfare and Benefits Team on 01476 513 544, between 8.30am and 4.30pm (Monday to Thursday) or 8.30am to 4pm (Friday).
To access this service, you must be registered to a Lincolnshire GP and have a life-limiting illness which includes conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, heart failure, motor neurone disease, COPD, and many other non-cancer conditions, as well as many cancer diagnoses, including those where treatment is continuing but is not expected to cure the illness.
If eligible for the service, we aim to contact people within five working days – something we’re very proud of. We understand how important it is to get the help as soon as possible.
Please note: Our Welfare and Benefits team will ask for your explicit consent to access your SystmOne records or speak with a health professional involved with your care, such as your GP, Macmillan Nurse, or Consultant. We will ask for consent to gain access to medical letters and information regarding your health condition, to best support your applications. If you do not give your explicit consent this will not affect our team assisting you, but it will make it more difficult and may delay progress of your claims.
If you would like to talk to us about what you could be entitled to, contact our Welfare and Benefits Team on 01476 513 544, between 8.30am and 4.30pm (Monday to Thursday) or 8.30am to 4pm (Friday).
Attendance Allowance is financial support to help you with the extra costs of your disability or health condition. It can help if you have difficulty with personal care or need someone to assist you because of your condition. You must be State Pension age or older when you claim.
Find out more
You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has died. It is designed to support you during the early months following a bereavement and can help with living costs or other expenses.
Find out moreA Blue Badge gives parking concessions to people with severe mobility problems. If you meet the required criteria, the St Barnabas team can help you fill out the application.
Find out moreCarer’s Allowance is for people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who needs ‘substantial and regular’ care. This usually means they wouldn’t be able to manage everyday tasks without your help.
Find out moreCouncil Tax Benefit can help reduce the amount of council tax you need to pay if you’re on a low income, receiving certain benefits, or in specific circumstances. It’s designed to make managing your household costs a little easier.
Find out moreThe (DWP) Bereavement Service is intended to support people who have recently lost a loved one. They can help you sort out any benefits or entitlements your loved one received, including their State Pension, and check whether you may be eligible for help with funeral costs or other support.
Find out moreYou may be able to get the new style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you’re ill and unable to work. You will need to have a fit note and have paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions.
Find out moreYou could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.
Find out moreHousing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income, or claiming benefits. You can only make a new claim if you have reached State Pension age or you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
Find out moreMacmillan grants are small, discretionary, one-off payments to help people with the extra costs that cancer can cause. They are for people who have a low level of income and savings. If you need things like extra clothing, help paying heating bills or even a relaxing break, you may be able to get a Macmillan grant.
Find out morePersonal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit to help you with some of the extra costs you may have because of a health condition or disability. The amount of PIP you get is based on how your health condition affects you, not on the condition you have.
Find out morePension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
Find out moreAn underlying entitlement to a benefit means that whilst you satisfy the criteria for the benefit, you cannot be paid it. In the case of Carer’s Allowance, you may not be paid it if you are getting certain other benefits, as benefit rules state that you cannot get paid both at the same time. However, you may still be able to get some extra money in recognition of your caring role, because you can still have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance.
Find out moreUniversal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work, or you cannot work.
Find out morePriority Services Registers (PSR) provides extra help and additional support during a power cut for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or those who rely on power for medical equipment. It helps to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs.
Find out moreIf you would like to talk to us about what you could be entitled to, contact our Welfare and Benefits Team on 01476 513 544.
However, given that the eligibility of entitlement to welfare benefits is prone to change, The Trust is unable to provide warranty as to the accuracy of the advice and accepts no liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused because of reliance on such information.
The Trust always recommends that service users confirm with the relevant authority on their entitlement to any benefit before making a claim.
