Looking after someone 2017, Northern Ireland | Page 26

Other financial help
There are other ways you may be able to get help with your
household finances - such as help with fuel costs, help with
health costs, or by applying for certain loans or grants.

26

Help with fuel costs

Help with NHS health costs

There are a number of ways you
can get help with fuel costs:
• if you have reached the
qualifying age you may be
entitled to a Winter Fuel
Payment to help pay winter
bills – this can be between £100
to £300 depending on your
circumstances
• if you’re receiving certain
benefits you may be able to
get a Cold Weather Payment
of £25 for each week between
1 November and 31 March in
which the average temperature
in your local area is at or below
freezing over seven consecutive
days
• if you meet certain conditions
you may get help to pay for
energy efficiency improvements
trough the the government’s
Affordable Warmth Scheme. The
scheme provides a package of
energy-efficiency and heating
measures, tailored to each
household

In Northern Ireland all prescriptions
are free of charge.

Find out more at carersuk.org/fuel

Looking after someone

If you are getting certain benefits
you may qualify for help with NHS
health costs. This includes free
dental treatment, free NHS eye
tests and vouchers to help pay for
glasses/contact lenses, as well as
reimbursement of fares to hospital
for treatment for you or your child.
You can also claim for the fares of
a companion who needs to travel
with you for medical reasons.
If you are aged 60 and over,
you can get free NHS eye tests
regardless of your income.
If you aren’t getting benefits which
entitle you to help with NHS health
costs, but you have a low income,
you may be able to get help with
health costs through the NHS Low
Income Scheme.
Prepayment certificates for
prescriptions can also reduce costs
if you regularly pay for medication.
Find out more at
carersuk.org/healthcosts

carersni.org