Have you thought of Appointeeship?

An appointee is someone who has been given authority by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) / JobCentre Plus to receive a person's benefits on their behalf. There is no need to submit any medical evidence to prove that the person has lost capacity.…

Making a Will

Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death. If you make a will you can also make sure you don’t pay more Inheritance Tax than you need to. You can write your will yourself, but you should…

Support to help vulnerable residents stay warm this winter

Energy Support Scheme from Reading Borough Council The Energy Support Scheme offers advice and help to older people, people with disabilities or long term health conditions and families with very young children whose health and well being is most at risk because their homes are…

Deputy's Office (Reading Borough Council)

The Deputy's Office manages the finances of social care clients who are unable to do so themselves. Clients, who are already getting services from Adult Social Care Services, are referred to the Deputy's Office when they are deemed to have lost the mental capacity to…

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new single payment for people who are looking for work or on a low income.  It replaces means-tested benefits and tax credits for working-age people up to pension credit age. For further information available on the Reading Borough Council's website, please…

NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

If you are referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme…

Working and caring

Although working alongside caring can be difficult to juggle, it does ensure you have a life outside your caring responsibilities which provides different challenges, the chance to meet/stay in contact with other people and some financial stability. Should I give up work? Many carers feel…

Help with decision making (Power of Attorney)

Power of Attorney If the person you look after lacks the capacity to make decisions about their care (because of a learning disability, head injury, dementia etc.) the Council will discuss their needs with the person/people legally allowed to make welfare and/or financial decisions for…

Help with care costs and independent financial advice

Adult Social Care Services are not free. However, the person you care for may be entitled to financial support from the Council to help towards care costs. The rules around charging for social care services are complicated - for more details visit www.reading.gov.uk/carecharges Charges for…

Help from your GP

Caring can take a toll on your own health and wellbeing so it is especially important to look after yourself. It is important you identify yourself as a carer to your GP Practice so they are aware of your situation and can offer extra support if…