If you find yourself in a situation where your financial circumstances change due to:
- being made redundant
- having a change in employment status
- being unable to work due to a heath issue or disability
- having to reduce working hours due to caring responsibilities
- being in receipt of a low income due to retirement or becoming a lone parent
You may be eligible for state benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions. You may also be eligible for additional support via your local council. Benefits are available which are both means tested and non-means-tested.
Whatever your situation we are here to advise and support with state benefit applications and to ensure you are claiming everything you are entitled to.
what we can offer
We can help by offering:
- advice and guidance about the different benefits that are available through the state benefit system and your local council
- to carry out a benefit check to help maximise your income or provide you with the tools to carry out a check
- assistance and support with benefit claims. We can help with the completion of claim forms
- advice and support if a benefit claim has been declined. We can help with benefit appeals and offer representation at appeal hearings
- short term financial assistance if you are experiencing difficulties meeting your essential expenditure whilst awaiting the outcome of a benefit claim
We recognise that finding yourself in a situation where you may need to claim benefits can often be difficult to talk about. Our support officers can provide a listening non-judgemental ear about anything benefit-related and are here to support you. If you would like to talk to a member of our team then click here to contact us.
benefits FAQs
Do all benefits take into consideration income and capital?
No. For example, if you have a health issue or disability that affects your ability to carrying out daily living tasks and/or affects your mobility then you may be able to claim Personal Independence Payment (for people under state pension age) or Attendance Allowance (for people over state pension age). These benefits are non-means-tested and do not take into consideration your or your partner’s income or capital. There are also contributory benefits which are based on national insurance contributions and can be claimed if you are unemployed (New Style Jobseekers Allowance) or are not well enough to work (New Style Employment and Support Allowance). Please see our UK benefits page for more details on these benefits.
What happens when I contact caba?
One of our team will have a chat with you about your situation. They'll listen to you, and they may be able to identify other ways in which we can support you alongside our benefit advice services. One of our benefit advisers will then be allocated to you as your support officer, and they'll be your main point of contact at caba.
How confidential is caba?
Everything you tell us is kept in the strictest of confidence. We don't share your personal information with any third parties, and that includes the ICAEW. Caba is a separate organisation from the ICAEW and is an independent charity with its own board of trustees.
how we can help
We support the wellbeing of past and present ICAEW members, ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and their spouses, partners and children up to the age of 25. If you believe you may be entitled to receive benefit support, but are not sure about eligibility we can help. Contact our team of advisors, to discuss further.
The information in this article is designed to provide general advice only. The list of benefits is not exhaustive. Every effort has been made to make sure that the information is correct. However, as the benefits system is complicated and legislation can change, we recommend you seek expert advice in relation to your personal situation.
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