1. Is it possible to claim the mobility benefit if you are aged 65+?
2. How do I apply for the Blue Disabled Badge parking permit?
3. Can men now receive the older person's freedom pass at the age of 60?
4. My son wants me to sign my property over to him. What should I do?
5. How can I remove the wasps' nest in my roof?

Some other F.A.Q.s are complex and require specialised, individual advice:

• paying for residential and nursing care
• grants for housing repairs and improvements
• grants for energy efficiency measures
• options for moving home.

Please telephone our Information and Advice Team on 020 8861 7980 between 10am and 1pm Mon-Fri.

Is it possible to claim the mobility benefit if you are aged 65+?

You have to claim this benefit before your 65th birthday. It is actually called the 'mobility component' of the Disability Living Allowance welfare benefit. It is paid at one of two rates, depending on how severely affected your mobility outside the home is. There is also a 'care component' of the Disability Living Allowance, that is paid at one of three rates depending on how much help you need with personal care or how much supervision you need to prevent you coming to any harm. It is also possible to get the lowest rate of the care component if you cannot cook a main meal for yourself although you have the facilities to do so. If you receive this benefit before you reach 65 then it can continue after that date, but you could lose it if your condition improves.

If you are 65 or older when you need to apply for financial help because of a disability you will need to claim Attendance Allowance. This is only given to those needing help with personal care or supervision to prevent them coming to harm. It is not available to those who only need help with cooking or with mobility outside the home.

'Personal care' includes such things as:

• getting out of bed
• washing yourself
• getting dressed
• moving around the house
• going up and down stairs
• getting into and out of chairs
• eating meals
• going to the toilet
• getting into bed.

Generally help with domestic tasks like gardening, shopping and cleaning is not taken into account. An exception to this would be if someone helps you with the cleaning because of sight difficulties, as this is recognised as needing help with seeing and so fits into the personal care remit.

Someone could qualify as needing supervision if they were prone to falling without warning.

It is important to note that both the Disability Living Allowance and the Attendance Allowance are tax-free, can be saved or spent in any way, do not reduce entitlement to other benefits and may actually increase entitlement to other benefits.

For a Claim Pack Call 0800-88-22-00.

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How do I apply for the Blue Disabled Badge parking permit?

The Blue Badge (formerly known as the Orange Badge) allows people to park for free at places like parking meters and pay-and-display bays. It also allows extended parking where there is usually a time restriction and on single and double yellow lines, unless there is a ban on loading and unloading. You cannot park in bus or cycle lanes and must obey other parking regulations. It does not apply on private land. You should not be wheel-clamped if the badge is displayed correctly, though the police may remove your car if it is causing an obstruction. You can use the Blue Badge either if you are the driver of the vehicle or a passenger in your own or someone else's vehicle.

To be eligible for the Blue Badge you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

• Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• Use a vehicle supplied by a Government health department
• Be registered blind
• Have a severe disability in both upper arms, drive a motor vehicle regularly but be unable to turn the steering wheel by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a knob
• Have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

To Apply, contact Social Services.

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Can men now receive the older person's freedom pass at the age of 60?

Yes. Men aged 60+ became eligible for the freedom pass in April 2003. The local councils in England must offer free passes to people aged 60 and over giving at least 50 percent off fares; Councils in Scotland and Wales operate a number of schemes. Contact your local council for further information. There may be a local scheme that offers reduced or even free transport. If you live in London you may be eligible for some help with taxi fares under the 'Taxicard' scheme.

There are also Senior Railcards for help with the cost of most train fares for people aged over 60. You can get an application form and further information from most main railway stations.

If you have a disability you may qualify for a bus pass from the local council for help with bus fares. There is also a Disabled Person's Railcard for reduced rate rail fares on most journeys.

Many coach companies offer discounts to older people or people with disabilities; contact your local coach station for information on what is available.

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My son wants me to give him my property. What should I do?

We can send you our factsheet on this. After you have read it, think very carefully and speak to an independent lawyer.

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How can I remove the wasps' nest in my roof?

Call Harrow Council's Urban Living Department for details.

See www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th4.htm for more details about wasps.

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