DIAL SOUTH ESSEX
Disablement Information & Advice Line
Accessibility Services and Support
Transport
Assistance with Initial Contacts and Paperwork
Depending upon the severity of your disability we can help with the initial contacts to the appropriate services and dealers. We can then help with the various paperwork, if needed, and inform you about other benefits and concessions that you may be entitled to. We can also advise on how to obtain adaptations to your vehicle and vital equipment to help you with trouble-free motoring.
Transportation Information
The need for various methods of transport varies from person to person according to their needs and their disability. We have information on all sorts of transport whether it is for business, hospitals, shopping, or leisure purposes. Some local councils operate a bus for shopping, and Shopmobility schemes operate a free wheelchair/scooter loan service in several towns throughout Essex. There are several taxi companies with cabs to accommodate wheelchair users and disabled people. Arrangements can be made in advance to travel on the trains, and special schemes operate at airports. Don’t feel trapped just because you are disabled; there is often a solution.
Blue Badge Application and Benefits
If you have access to a computer, the easiest way to apply for a Blue Badge is online. If you go onto www.gov.uk and type Blue Badge into the search bar, it will take you to the correct page to apply. If you can’t do it online, then contact your local Social Care Office for a Disabled Parking Badge form. Tel: Essex 0345 603 7630, Thurrock 01375 652652, and Southend 01702 215003. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you can get a reduced rate with the RAC and receive various other benefits.
Driving License and Insurance Information
Inform DVLA if you hold a driving license and have a disability that will last longer than 6 months. Also, inform your car and travel insurer that you have a disability or your insurance may not be valid.
Mobility Component of DLA/PIP Benefits
If you receive the High Rate Mobility Component of DLA or Enhanced Rate Mobility of PIP, you are eligible for various benefits such as free car tax exemption and toll exemptions. With the Standard Rate Mobility of PIP, you will get a 50% reduction on car tax.
Disabled Persons Rail Card
By purchasing a Disabled Persons Rail Card, you and a carer can travel at a third off the normal fare. Tel: 0345 605 0525. www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Holidays & Leisure
At DIAL we have information about a selection of holidays to suit most people in Great Britain and abroad. We have details of hotels, adventure and self-catering holidays for all ages.
Wheelchair users can experience a wide range of difficulties obtaining a suitable holiday. We have details of several organisations that specialise in this field and also an organisation that advises people on planning their journey whether it is in this country or abroad. We have a page on this site giving details of facilities at different airports in the UK so have a look before travelling and see if it can be of help to you.
There are numerous clubs and day centres in the area catering for individual needs and problems. These are places for people to go and enjoy themselves, have a chat, have a meal, meet new friends, develop new skills and interests and talk to people that understand.
Mobility
If you are having problems with mobility we may be able to help you decide on the best way to get about for yourself or for someone that you know with a disability.
Wheelchairs are vital to a large number of disabled people to enable them to go out and about and participate in activities that they would otherwise be unable to enjoy. A wheelchair that is suitable for one person may be entirely unsuitable for somebody else, making it absolutely essential for a person considering the use of a wheelchair to have an individual assessment.
DIAL can advise on assessments, purchase, hire, loan and provision of a permanent chair from the NHS, both manual and powered. We also have the names of several reputable suppliers should you wish to purchase and maintain your own chair.
Contact your GP - for obtaining a wheelchair on a permanent basis or for temporary loan there are local groups that lend them out.
For wheelchair loan - in the Basildon district contact Basildon Community Transport Service on 01268 294235.
Red Cross - operate a medical loan service in various locations throughout Essex. Their head office is on 0344 871 1111; They will advise on local opening times and contact details for the branch nearest to you as many of the local branches throughout Thurrock and Essex are currently closed. They also offer a home delivery and collection service for a fee. They have a branch in Chelmsford branch Telephone 01245 280283.
Benefits
We can give advice and information on many different welfare benefits and how to claim them. We give assistance to people who require help with completing forms of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Carers Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Local Council Tax Scheme, and Universal Credit.
Should you disagree with the decision given by the Dept of Work and Pensions (DWP) or if your case is very complicated, i.e. appeal tribunals, we are able to help and represent at First Tier Tribunal. We have gained additional funding to extend this service to include representation at telephone hearing appeals and taking appeals to the Upper Tribunal.
If you are under 16 - and disabled you might be able to claim Disability Living Allowance, between 16 and State Pension age you might be able to get Personal Independence Payment or if you are over State Pension age and disabled you might be able to claim Attendance Allowance. Telephone DIAL on 0333 366 1045 for further information or visit www.gov.uk.
If you and your partner - if you have one are over State Pension age you may be able to claim Pension Credit Tel: 0800 991234.
If you are - in receipt of Income Support, Universal Credit or Guaranteed Pension Credit did you know that you can claim for fares to hospital appointments and get help with optical services, dental care and you do not have to pay for prescriptions.
If you would like to carry out a benefit check - for yourself or somebody you know to see if you are entitled to claim any benefits go to www.gov.uk or the following websites www.entitledto.co.uk or www.turn2us.org.uk. If you are of pension age you can also do a check at www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator. Please have the following information to hand before starting the check, Postcode, Marital Status, Dates of Birth for everybody in the household, number of children, number of any non-dependants, salary and hours worked, name of any benefits you are already receiving and how much you receive, exact amount of all pensions received, exact amount of savings, exact amount of any stocks, shares, premium bonds, etc, exact amount of any tax credits, amount of child benefit, exact details of any other income. You will also need to know whether your home is council, housing association, private rent or if you are a homeowner, exact amount of the full rent or mortgage (before any deductions), the full amount of council tax (before any deduction) and the amount of any maintenance payments.
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