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Money Advice

Benefits and Direct Payments

One in three people with a serious mental health problem are in debt. They are three times more likely to be in debt compared to people without similar conditions.

This booklet (a 3mb pdf) provides basic advice for health workers on dealing with this issue. The booklet doesn’t expect health workers to become debt experts, but describes the big differences that health workers can make by knowing and doing small things. The research, writing, design, illustration, and production of the booklet has been a collaboration between people with direct experience of mental health problems, The First Step Trust, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Mental Health and Debt - from where the booklet is available - has further resources which, although principally aimed at health service professionals, could be of use to service users.

Advice on Benefits

	Giving advice on individual benefits is very difficult to do as this area is extremely complex and constantly changing. What may be available to some people may not be applicable to others.

The Social Security Office
Henry Giles House
73-79 Chesterton Road
Cambridge CB4 3BQ
Telephone: 01223 545200

The Social Security Office provides information on benefits in English and a wide range of other languages and processes most claims. Useful leaflets which they publish include:

• Sick and Disabled (SD1)
• Caring for Someone (SD4)

The agency also operates the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) for general advice and information for disabled people and carers, but cannot deal with individual claims. Forms, which are dispatched from the BEL, will be dated and any claim will be backdated to that time. In some circumstances forms can be completed over the
phone.

Benefit Enquiry Line for people with disabilities
Telephone: 0800 882200
Textphone: 0800 243355

For sources of independent advice and information on benefits and other issues contact:

Directions Plus
1 Orwell Furlong
Cowley Road
Cambridge CB4 0WY
Telephone: 01223 569600 (Advice line)
Fax: 01223 506470
Email: info@directions-plus.org.uk

Cambridge Independent Advice Centre
41 Mill Road
Cambridge CB1 2AW
Telephone: 01223 712222
Fax: 01223 712294
Email: ciac@ciac.org.uk
Website: www.ciac.org.uk

Citizens’ Advice Bureau
72/74 Newmarket Road
Cambridge CB5 8DZ
Telephone: 01223 222660
Fax: 01223 222661
Email: cadadmin@cambridgecab.org.uk
Website: www.cambridgecab.org.uk

Direct Payments

Access to direct payments is extremely variable and support in accessing direct payments in Cambridgeshire is limited. However, more information about this aspect of financial support is being made available and will be accessible from this website.

WHAT ARE THEY?
Direct Payments are an alternative way of getting the care and support that you need. They are cash payments made directly to you so that you can make your own social care arrangements. You are able to have more choice, control and independence about how your care is organised.

HOW MUCH WILL I GET?
The amount will be worked out following your assessment. It is based on your level of need which is outlined in your care plan and the current rates payable by the Local Authority. You will be expected to sign a contract.

WHAT CAN DIRECT PAYMENTS BE USED FOR?
There are no hard and fast rules to how the money is spent, but it must be used to obtain the type and level of service to meet your needs which will have been recorded and agreed in your care plan.

DIRECT PAYMENTS IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE answers all of your questions in more detail and can be accessed here on or alternatively a paper document can be obtained via Vaness Gibney, Social Care Professional Lead at Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB1 5EF. Please telephone the admin team on 01223 218695 to request a copy.

© Lifecraft Mental Health Handbook 2005

Last revised 7 May 2007

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