If you or the person who had the stroke is on a low income and has to pay for housing,  you may be able to apply for:

• Housing Benefit – may be subject to a benefits cap if in rented accommodation
• Shelter Scotland: Housing benefit and local housing allowance

If you or the person who had the stroke have a mortgage and you qualify for one of the benefits listed below, you may be able to get some help towards the interest you pay for your mortgage:

• Universal Credit  – Please note that Universal Credit is paid differently in Scotland
• Money advice Service: Universal Credit explained
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• GOV.UK: Pension Credit

 If you or the person who had the stroke pay council tax, you may be able to apply for:

• Disabled Council Tax Band Reduction (Scotland) – apply to your local authority for this
• Carers UK: Council tax / Rate Relief

If you or the person who had the stroke is over state retirement pension age, you may be able to apply for:

• State Retirement Pension and New State Pension– this is a contributory benefit. The UK government has introduced new rules which raise the age at which you can claim your state pension. The amount of pension you may receive will depend on your national insurance contributions.
• Pension Credit – this is means tested
• Working Tax Credit – also means tested. You will need to be working to claim this benefit

It is always best to have an individual review of your own circumstances in relation to the benefits system. Many carers do not know what benefits they could be claiming for or how to get these. You should get help to do this from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Carer organisation. They can help you to make an appeal if you are turned down for a benefit.