Financial Benefits
There are several financial benefits available that may be available for those who are over State Pension Age. These include:
- Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. - Carers Allowance
Help if you regularly spend time caring for someone. - Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. - State Pension
You are able to claim the new State Pension when you reach State Pension age. - Council Tax Support
The New Forest District Council may be able to offer help towards paying your Council Tax.
We are able to assist you with benefit advice, and can help you with completing forms. We are an alternative office for the DWP so can issue and help you to complete your claim for Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit or Carers Allowance.
If you require assistance, contact the Information and Advice Team 02382 027595, to make an appointment, as some forms can take up to 2 hours to complete.
Power of Attorney
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions.
We have information booklets available in the office which help explain Lasting Powers of Attorney in more detail. Please contact the Information and Advice Team 02382 027595, who can answer any question you may have.
Please note, we are able to complete the forms for you so they are ready to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, but we are not able to give legal advice. We do request a donation for this service.
Blue Badge
The Blue Badge parking scheme allows the holder:
- Use of designated parking spaces
- In some circumstances, parking on single or double yellow lines
- Free parking at parking meters in some areas
We can assist you to complete an application for a new blue badge, or to have your existing blue badge renewed.
Care Funding Options
Please note, we have an interview room available if you need any help or advice on matters that you do not want to discuss in the general office.
We can talk through various options for care, both in your own home or in a residential setting. We will also be able to go through funding options available and ensure that all benefits are being paid to those that will be self funding, or those paying for their own care at home.
Are you, or a family member or friend struggling with every day tasks, like getting washed and dressed, getting to the bathroom, getting up and downstairs, getting in or out of bed? You may be struggling with breathlessness, unsteadiness, dizzy spells or a whole range of other illnesses. Please contact the Information and Advice Team 02382 027595.
Health and Wellbeing
We can provide you with information on caring for your eyes, going into hospital, healthy living, managing incontinence, avoiding falls, care at home, adapting your home, choosing care homes and many other topics. We also have information on some of the local groups that we can put you in touch with.
Advice and Guidance
We are not legally qualified here, but we do have information on topics such as; looking after someone else’s affairs, wills and estate planning, your consumer rights and more. So if you need any information on these topics please pop in and pick up one of our brochures.
We are also able to do a benefits check for you to ensure that you are getting the benefits you are entitled to.
We generally make appointments for these types of meetings, so if you would like to chat to us privately, and in confidence this can easily be arranged.
Please make an appointment with the Information and Advice Team 02382 027595 and we will book you in to see someone that can assist you.
Statement of Services
Please refer to our current Statement of Services.
Advice Quality Standard
Age Concern New Forest has been awarded the Advice Quality Standard (AQS).
This is a mark awarded to organisations that give advice to members of the public on legal issues. Organisations are audited every two years and have to demonstrate that they are accessible, effectively managed, and employ staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of their clients.
