Travel and holidays - benefits and financial help

Information for people with dementia who are considering travelling alone and for carers of people with dementia.

It covers practical information about how to cope with travelling if you have dementia, and what to consider if you are a carer.

We have not included any specific holidays or establishments since these are subject to change. The organisations listed under Useful addresses and specialist holidays can help you source a holiday or break that fits your needs.

Benefits and holidays

If you take a temporary break from caring for someone, for example, a holiday - you may continue to receive Carer's Allowance. A total of 4 weeks break can be taken in any 26 week period for holidays. Carer's Allowance may also continue throughout periods when you or the person you care for goes into hospital.

You must tell the Carer's Allowance Unit if you take a break from caring due to a holiday, or another reason, such as going into hospital, or if the person you are caring for goes on holiday or into hospital.

If your stay abroad is temporary, including a holiday, you can usually continue getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for 26 weeks.  You may be able to continue getting DLA for longer if you are going abroad for medical treatment for your illness or disability. Your stay must still be temporary.  The same applies for Attendance Allowance.

Financial help

It may be possible to get some financial help towards your holiday. It is a good idea to start applying well in advance.

Social work departments

Social work departments may be able to help towards the cost of a holiday if you and the person with dementia haven't had one for several years. However, their funds for this are often limited. Your local social work department will be listed in the telephone book under your council.

Charities

A charity may be able to help towards the cost of your holiday, and perhaps towards the cost of taking a helper. 

There is a book called A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need (11th edition, 09/10, £50.00) which lists most of these charities; it is available in every Citizens Advice Bureau, or in libraries.  This book also provides a model of how to make an effective application and advice on sourcing the type of funding to apply to. It may also be purchased from the Directory of Social Change website - www.dsc.org.uk

Tourism for All UK

(0845 124 9971 – full contact details in "Useful addresses") can provide you with information on which charities to try. Your relative may be eligible for help from a specific charity because of a former occupation, trade union membership, connection with the armed forces, religion or ethnic background, or where they have lived or worked.

They also publish A Guide to Financial Help Towards the Cost of a Holiday, Respite Care or Convalescence (£3.50) which includes a large variety of trusts and funds that consider applications for financial assistance towards the cost of a holiday, or in some instances, run their own holiday schemes.

Counsel and Care

(0845 300 7585 – full contact details in "Useful addresses") can also advise you on finding money towards the cost of care for the person with dementia at home.

National Benevolent Fund for the Aged

(020 7828 0200 - full contact details in "Useful addresses") provides assistance for people who are 60 or older and in receipt of either housing benefit, council tax benefit or income support. The provision of free holidays has formed the main part of their work for over 25 years. Around 1000 free holidays each year are arranged.