Factsheets & Guides

Housing Services, Directory for older people, their families and carers

This directory highlights housing and related services for older people living in the South Lakeland area.

Information relates to; keeping independent, safe and well within your home, independent advice and advocacy organisations as well as alternativ

Caring for someone with dementia - Information Guide

This guide takes you through the dementia journey, from getting a diagnosis to talking to family and friends, joining a carers group, accessing help, and the practical things such as sorting out someone’s finances and legal affairs

Property and paying for residential care - Factsheet

This factsheet explains how your property is treated in the local authority means test for the provision of permanent residential care home accommodation.

Finding, choosing and funding a care home - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about finding, choosing and funding a suitable care home including types of homes, how to identify the right home for you and funding of care home placements.

Equality, discrimination and the Public Sector Equality Duty - Factsheet

The Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1 October 2010 and combines almost all UK previous anti-discrimination laws in one single law.
One of its most important aims is to consolidate and update the Public Sector Equality Duty - a duty for public bodies

Dealing with an estate - Factsheet

When a person dies, somebody has to deal with their estate, collect in their money, property and possessions, pay any debts and then distribute the estate to those entitled to it.
This factsheet provides general information for personal representatives o

Making a will - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what you should think about when making your will and how to make sure that the will is legal, effective and your wishes are carried out.

Pension Freedom and benefits - Factsheet

This factsheet explains some basic information about your choices with respect to drawing down pension savings. You can contact Pension Wise for information and guidance.
This factsheet sets out the impact of different choices drawing down pension funds

Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a non means-tested benefit for people aged 16 to 64 who have a disability.
The factsheet also gives information about Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which is gradually being r

Dealing with debt - Factsheet

This factsheet aims to help you understand how to recognise and deal with debt problems, as well as where to seek assistance with debt.
Included is information about:
 the stages of debt advice
 how to seek assistance
 organisations that can help

Challenging welfare benefit decisions - Factsheet

This factsheet explains who makes benefit decisions, how a decision can be challenged, and how to make complaints.

Help with health costs - Factsheet

Most NHS services are free but there are charges for prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses and wigs and fabric supports.
This factsheet explains how the NHS Low Income Scheme helps people on a low incme with charges and

Social Fund, Advances of Benefit and Local Welfare Provision - Factsheet

The Social Fund is a scheme to help people with expenses that are difficult to meet from a low income and includes:
 Winter Fuel Payments
 Cold Weather Payments
 Funeral Payments.
Advances of Benefit are a form of payment that replaced the discreti

Homelessness - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about homelessness. It explains how your local authority can help you if you are homeless and the circumstances in which it has a duty to rehouse you.
Information on the allocation of council and housing association housi

Tenancy rights - security of tenure - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information on a tenants right to keep their home (security of tenure). It explains how different tenancies offer different levels of security, meaning some tenants can be evicted more easily than others.

Finding private rented accommodation - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about finding private rented accommodation. It includes information about letting agencies, what to consider when viewing a property and things to think through before signing a tenancy agreement.

Tenancy rights - rent -Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about what your landlord can charge you in rent, depending on the type of tenancy you have.

Council and housing association housing - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about applying for housing from local authorities and housing associations ('social housing'). It explains how applications for social housing are assessed, how waiting lists are organised and how properties are allocated.

Hospital discharge - Factsheet

This factsheet explains how your discharge from hospital should be managed following NHS treatment so that you don't stay in hospital longer than necessary and receive the help you need in the most appropriate place.

Transgender issues in later life - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about later life for transgender (or trans) people. The main focus is on growing older for people who have transitioned and live their lives permanently in their affirmed gender. It also provides information for people