Compass in Cumbria - Factsheets & Guides

Attendance Allowance - Information Guide

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for those aged 65 years and over who need extra money to help with care needs or for help with personal care.

More money in your pocket - Information Guide

If you’re over 60, you could be entitled to benefits and concessions you haven’t been able to claim before such as Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment, Attendance Allowance and more.

Paying for care and support at home - Factsheet

This factsheet explains charging for social care services in places other than care homes, mainly related to services provided in your own home. This is because the two charging systems are slightly different. It also covers charging for carers’ services.

Paying for care in a care home if you have a partner - Factsheet

This factsheet explains how being part of a couple affects your eligibility for local authority funding if you need to move into a care home. It looks at your rights to welfare benefits also. It focusses mainly on if you are seeking state support rather t

Paying for permanent residential care - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about the financial help that may be available from your local authority if you need care in a care home. It also covers arranging and paying for care yourself.

Advance decisions, advance statements and living wills - Factsheet

There are things you can do to make sure others know how you would like to be cared for and which medical treatment(s) you would want to refuse, if you are ever unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.
Preparing an advance statement and an

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards - Factsheet

This factsheet looks at the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS relate to people who lack mental capacity who need to be placed and detained in care homes or hospitals for their treatment or care and to protect them from harm.
This factsheet c

Getting legal advice - Factsheet

This factsheet helps you to get the legal help you need, including legal information and advice on civil matters (where you have a dispute with another individual or organisation). It does not cover criminal matters.
It covers free advice from local and

Universal Credit - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about Universal Credit, a means-tested benefit for people under State Pension age. It gives information about Universal Credit, how it affects people claiming other benefits and how to claim it.

Benefits for people under Pension Credit age - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about benefits for people under Pension Credit age (this is rising and is 63 and 9 months as of April 2017 and will be 64 and 6 months by April 2018). It gives information about Universal Credit and how it affects people c

Carer's Allowance - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what Carer’s Allowance is, the eligibility criteria, and how to make a claim.
It also explains how Carer’s Allowance may impact on any other benefits you or, the person you are caring for, are receiving, and what to do if you have

Pension Credit - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what Pension Credit is, the eligibility criteria and how to make a claim. It explains what to do if you have a change of circumstance.

Attendance Allowance - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about Attendance Allowance, a non means-tested benefit for people aged 65 and over who have care needs.
It explains what Attendance Allowance is, the eligibility criteria, and how to make a claim. It explains what to do i

Council tax - Factsheet

This factsheet aims to help you understand
 Council Tax liability and payment
 Eligibility for Council Tax Support schemes
 Other ways of reducing you Council Tax bill

State Pension - Factsheet

This factsheet gives information about the new State Pension (for people reaching State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016) and the old State Pension (for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April
2016).
It explains how to claim your pension

Housing Benefit - Factsheet

This factsheet explains what Housing Benefit is, who qualifies for it, andV how it is calculated. It explains how to claim and what to do if you want to challenge a decision.
It has information about Discretionary Housing Payments and what to do if you h

Planning for retirement: money and tax - Factsheet

This factsheet looks at some common money and tax issues connected with retirement, including dealing with pensions and tax allowances. It also explains about record-keeping and dealing with paperwork.

Home improvements and repairs - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about the help you can get if your home is in a poor condition or unsuitable for your needs.
It includes information on the financial assistance and practical support available to help you make improvements, as well as

Intermediate care and reablement - Factsheet

This factsheet explains intermediate care and reablement. These terms describe short-term NHS and social care support that aims to help you:
 avoid unnecessary admission to hospital
 be as independent as possible after an unplanned hospital stay or il

Dental care: NHS and private - Factsheet

This factsheet explains how to find an NHS dentist, charges for NHS treatment, and how receiving certain benefits or the NHS low income scheme may help with the cost of NHS treatment.