need advice about benefits but do not have loads of details

[bednobs]

hiya, there is a man who lives near me that hasn't been very well at all and i've been trying to help by doing various things like take him shopping and take him to the gp. He is unwell so is not working (and hasn't for some time and also wouldn't be able to at the moment) he tells me he gets "income support allowance" at about 65 per week (i don't know if he means esa or is) He gets council tax benefit which reduces his ct to about a fiver a month.
He told me this morning that i wouldn't have to take him shopping because he didn't have any money. I really don't want to set a precedent by buying him food or giving him money, because it's going to be the same next week and the week after and the week after that, and i really can't afford to support another adult. Also, i have pointed him in the direction of cab to sort things out, but he hasn't done anything about it, and in a way i feel unwilling to help someone who is unwilling to help themselves. His illness is alcoholism, and he also has no motivation to do anything to stop. He is still paying for prescriptions etc.
My question is, do any other benefits he might be entitled to spring to mind? He is a single man, no kids and owns his house. He is a long way off retirement

[cathfromsaron]

he may not want to stop drinking, so extra benefits will just feed his habit/s more, not improve his health!

i would offer a lift when you are going places and leave it at that!

[hc4361]

There are two components to DLA, it is possible to qualify for one and not the other - the care component where you need help to look after yourself and the mobility component when you have difficulty walking.


He may qualify for the care component. There are three rates - the lowest is £19.55 per week, middle is £49.30 and highest is £73.60.
This is tax free and is paid in addition to other benefits.

[Buenchico]

You refer to "income support allowance" which I'm guessing refers to either Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or (more likely) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or (possibly Income Support.

You further mention that "he is still paying for prescriptions etc.". If he's in receipt of any of the benefits mentioned above, he shouldn't be!
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.../HealthCosts/HC11.pdf

[bednobs]

thanks everyone (except helen who seems to have thanked herself!)