Frequently Asked Questions

Disability

The Government wants to enable people with disabilities to have the same opportunities to work as anyone else. For many, this requires extra support.
 

If you have a disability

Jobcentre (this is an external hyperlink) advisors can offer extra help to people with disabilities seeking work.  Nearly 90,000 disabled people a year are helped into work by the advisers.

They can also help you to assess what sort of job you might be able to do, if your disability makes it harder to do some types of work.

Access to work provides practical support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability - helping pay for new equipment or adjustments to existing working environments.

If you are on health-related benefits, the New Deal for Disabled People also helps people with health conditions or disabilities who want to work and find work.  It is voluntary and you decide whether or not you want to join in.

The Aidis Trust (this is an external hyperlink) is an organisation founded in 1975 which helps disabled people make the best use of information and communication technology by giving information, help and support on all aspects of disability computing.

There are benefits available for people with disabilities, including Disability Living Allowance and Disablement Pensions (this is an external hyperlink) for those injured or disabled as a result of any service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

If you are severely disabled or have been sick and unable to work for over six months, find out what benefits you may be entitled to claim.

If you are over 18 and become disabled, you should contact Social Services (this is an external hyperlink), they will then pass you onto the initial Assessment Team.  If you have a child with disabilities you should contact Social Services Children with Disabilities Team.

Staff at Social Services will be able to give you information and advice and may be able to offer you services such as respite care.  They will also be able to give you information on any voluntary, private, community or leisure groups and organisations that may also be able to help.

What benefits may I be entitled to?

You can get help and advice about welfare benefits.  A Guide to Incapacity Benefit.  For more information please contact the Citizens Advice Bureau (this is an external hyperlink).

Severe Disablement Allowance

If you are aged between 16 and 65 and you have been unable to work for at least 28 weeks in a row because of disability of if you have never been able to work, you may be entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance.

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free social security (this is an external hyperlink) benefit intended for adults and children with a long term illness or a disability.  It can be paid in addition to other benefits such as incapacity benefit but can also be paid if you are working.

To be able to make a claim for Disability Allowance, you must:

  • Claim before you reach 65, unless you are switching from the Invalid Vehicle Service
  • Been paid if you need help looking after yourself
  • Paid if you are aged 3 or over and have severe difficulty walking, or aged 5 or over and need help getting around out of doors
  • Paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you.

Vaccine Damage Payment

This is a one off payment that you may be entitled to if you or a member of your family is severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases. For more information visit the Department for Work and Pensions website (this is an external hyperlink) or Directgov (this is an external hyperlink) or write to The Vaccine Damage Payments Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HB.

War Disablement Pension

War Disablement Pension (WDP) is a payment made to people who have been injured or disabled as a result of any service in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.  Further information is available from Directgov (this is an external hyperlink).

Disabled Person's Tax Credit

If you are aged 16 or over and working an average of 16 hours per week or more but you are restricted in the type of work, number of hours you can work or the amount you can earn because of disability then you may be entitled to Disabled Person's Working Tax Credit (this is an external hyperlink).  This benefit is claimed through HM Revenue and Customs (this is an external hyperlink).

Attendance Allowance

Attendance allowance is a tax free social security benefit intended for people with a long term illness or a disability.  It can be paid in addition to other benefits such as Retirement Pension.  It is for people aged 65 and over.

To be able to make a claim for Attendance Allowance, you must have been:

  • Paid if you need help looking after yourself
  • Paid if you became ill or disabled on or after your 65th Birthday, or are claiming on or after your 65th Birthday
  • Paid at different rates depending on whether you need care during the day, during the night or both.

There are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get Attendance allowance quickly and easily.  You can get Attendance allowance even if no one is actually giving you the care you need.  You may not get Attendance allowance if you are in hospital or residential care.  Attendance allowance is not affected by savings.  Attendance allowance is not usually affected by other money you have coming in.  Attendance allowance is usually ignored as an income for working out Income Support and Jobseekers allowance.

Income Support

Income support is available to people who are on a low income. If you have savings over 8,000 (12,000 if you or your partner are aged 60 or over, and 16,000 if you live in residential care or a nursing home), usually you cannot get Income Support .  If you have to sign on at the Jobcentre, you will also not be able to get Income Support.

You can claim for Income Support;  if you are aged 16 or over, on a low income, or not working or working on an average of less than 16 hours a week, and your partner works on average less than 24 hours a week.

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory Sick Pay is paid to you via your employer, and can be paid to you for up to 28 weeks.

If you were; Sick for at least 4 days in a row including weekends and bank holidays, Employed when you became sick, Earning enough on average for it to be relevant for NI purposes (this amount is lower than the amount when you start paying NI contributions) you can claim for Statutory Sick Pay.

If you want to know how much you have earned for it to be relevant for NI purposes, contact your Inland Revenue Office.

You can get Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks in one spell of sickness, Spells of at least 4 days in a row with 8 weeks or less between them are counted as one spell, If you have more then one job you may be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay from each employer.

Where can I find information on employment and disability?

Jobcentre Plus (this is an external hyperlink) can give you information on employment and disability.  They also provide specialist services for people with disabilities.  For more information about the services available you can call in to your local job centre.

Adult Learning

To increase your changes in the workplace you may wish to improve your skills.  Many of the local colleges and schools offer adult learning courses offering you the chance to learn at all levels. Learndirect offer many courses aimed at increasing skills.  For more information visit their website at www.learndirect.co.uk (this is an external hyperlink).

Where do I go for Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation services include help with physiotherapy and adaptations for the home. 

There are also private organisations and specialists that may be able to help. For more information contact your local library.  The staff there will be able to help you find private providers.

Am I entitled to help with transport?

If you are a car user you may be entitled to join the disabled parking scheme. The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who are registered blind, have severe walking difficulties, or regularly drive but are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand.

The scheme provides a wide range of parking benefits.  For example the scheme enables badge holders to park free in most pay and display car parks and also to park on single yellow and double yellow lines in most streets for up to three hours.

New Deal for Disabled People

If you are on health related benefits the government has introduced New Deal for Disabled people (this is an external hyperlink) helping the sick or disabled people who want to work, find work.  It is voluntary and you decide whether or not you want to join it. 

You can get help from New Deal for Disabled people if you are on health related benefits. If none of the benefits apply to you but you have a disability or health condition, find out about the New Deal Jobseekers with disabilities (this is an external hyperlink).

Disabled Facilities/Public Conveniences/Radar Keys

There are 17 sets of Public Conveniences in the Borough, 15 of these are under the Council's control. The two remaining are the responsibility of the Fareham Shopping Centre. Many of them have facilities accessible to disabled people. Facilities accessible to disabled people are kept closed, but access can be gained 24 hours a day with a special key called a Radar Key.


Radar keys are free from the Council. If you or a member of your family would benefit from using a disabled toilet, and you would like a Radar Key, please contact the Customer Services Centre on tel 01329 236100 or e-mail: customerservices@fareham.gov.uk.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will a Resident's parking permit cost?
£40 per annum. (Free for applicants who are disabled and holders of an blue badge.)

How many Resident's parking permits can I purchase?
2 Annuals (Except for High Street where only 1 may be purchased)

What if I decide not to purchase a Resident's parking permit but change my mind later?
A permit may be purchased at any time when the office is open to issue them. However please be advised that at least 7 days notice is required for processing an application. At the beginning of the month and They are valid for either is valid for either three months or one year. Please note that for new permits you will need to provide copies of the following documentation when you apply: - Registration Document - Recent Household Bill (date within the last 3 months) - Drivers Licence or Passport

Where can I park if I purchase a Resident's permit?
Anywhere on the lengths of road or scheme designed for residents'' parking as stated on the permit.

Can my friends or visitors use my Resident's permit?
No, the permit will be specific to the vehicle belonging to the resident of the area, but the resident is able to purchase 24 hr visitor scratch card permits for friends and visitors to display.

During what hours will the Resident's Parking Scheme operate?
Please refer to the signs relating to each residents parking scheme as hours may vary.

Who enforces the Resident's Parking Scheme?
Civil Enforcement Officers.

What happens if I move house and have purchased a Permit?
You may be entitled to a refund only on full months calculated at the Quarterly Rate from the date the request was received at the Parking Services Department

How can I find out more about the scheme?
For current resident permit holders or for enquiries requesting a new resident parking schemes please contact parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100.

Can I complete an application form for a Permit?
A Residents Permit Application Form (36Kb) for a Permit is available, alternatively please contact parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100.

Can I buy a season ticket?
Annual and quarterly season tickets are available for long stay car parks only. Please complete and send the Season Ticket Application Form (222 Kb) to the Parking Services Department.

Where can I park if I am a disabled badge holder?
There are a large number of conveniently situated bays reserved for disabled badge holders, throughout the town. Blue Badge holders can park free in all pay and display car parks, only if the Blue Badge is clearly displayed in the parked vehicle, with the expiry date facing upwards. The exceptions are the Pay on Foot car parks, where Blue Badge holders are required to pay. Blue Badge holders who are Borough residents can apply to the Council for a swipe card allowing free entry and exit to the Pay on Foot car parks.

Where can I park my motorbike?
Solo motorcycles may park free of charge in any of the areas within the car parks specifically marked for motorcycle use. If there is no are specifically marked for motorcycles (sometimes indicated by m/c) then you may park in other marked bays that are not otherwise restricted, for example you could not park in a Disabled Bay.

Why do I have to pay for parking?
You have to pay for parking in any car park in the town centre. In addition to raising income to pay for maintenance of existing and provision of new car parks, charges also ensure an adequate turnover of parking spaces for shoppers and short term visitors. If the Council did not charge, the cost of maintenance would fall on Council Tax payers and car park visitors would make no contribution.

Why don't you pay for the car parks' maintenance with savings you would make if you no longer needed to employ Enforcement staff?
Even if parking was free, patrolling would still be required to provide a regular supply of convenient parking spaces for shoppers. A maximum period of waiting would need to be introduced, and this, together with other regulations would still need to be enforced. Enforcement staff also act as a deterrent to crime.

Why don't you provide change machines?
Change machines are an inviting target for theft. The very nature of the machines requires that they be full of cash at all times. No cash is left in ticket machines overnight. The Council may consider introducing a scheme for payment by cards. Change is provided in the Pay on Foot car park payment machines, Osborn Road Multi Storey Car Park and Market Quay Car Park.

Why don't I get a refund if I pay for an hour and only stay for five minutes?
The charging structure is such that any stay up to one hour is the same charge. The Council is very aware of the competition from "out of town" shopping stores and neighbouring local authorities and these factors are borne in mind when setting the parking fees.

Why can't I pick someone up and drop someone off in the car parks?
You can, but you must comply with the parking regulations by stopping in a marked bay and purchasing a parking ticket. The car parks are provided for the off-street parking of vehicles. If casual setting down/picking up were to be allowed, congestion would cause delays and frustration to car park users.

Why do you insist on the ticket being stuck to the windscreen?
A ticket on the dashboard can turn over when the car door is closed. If stuck on a side window and it falls it will disappear from view. If stuck on the windscreen just above the dashboard, it will probably still be visible to the Enforcement Officer on the dashboard should it fall. For further information on parking in Fareham Town Centre or for any other details please contact the Parking Department in the Department of Regulatory Services on tel: 01329 236100 ext: 2355 or e-mail parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk.

What is Fareham Parking Enforcement?
Since 2 April 2007 Fareham Borough Council have been responsible for enforcing traffic regulations such as limited waiting, double or single yellow lines, no stopping at bus stops. Previously the responsibility for enforcing these lay with the police and was carried out by traffic wardens. Other regulations will remain under the jurisdiction of the police – such as moving traffic offences – one way streets, turning bans, speeding restrictions on driving, endorsable offences, parking on zigzag lines, obstruction of highways, accesses, footways. The Fareham Parking Enforcement Service covers the management and enforcement of both on and off street parking throughout the Borough. The service is delivered in line with the Parking Enforcement Policy that sets out the main principles for enforcement associated with the delivery of this service.

What does the Parking Service consist of?
There are currently eleven Civil Enforcement Officers in the team (including one Supervisor and three Team Leaders). Civil Enforcement Officers work a shift system as enforcement takes place seven days a week; this does include evening and Bank Holiday patrols. The members of this team will be able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to any vehicle which contravenes a restriction.

If I receive a Penalty Charge Notice, what will the process be?
CEOs will only issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if a vehicle has contravened the regulations in place. These will be served and placed on the front windscreen of the vehicle, handed to the driver or sent through the post, for more details please see the Traffic Management Act 2004 page. Penalty Charge Notices will be either £70 or £50 depending on the level of contravention (which would be indicated on the Notice) and must be paid within 28 days. A 50% discount will be granted if paid within 14 days. There are several payment options, by cheque, online, on the automated telephone service, or personally at the Cash Office at the Civic Offices and these are outlined on the rear of the Penalty Charge Notice. There is obviously a right to appeal and this must be done by completing the PCN Challenge Form, this can be sent in by post or via e-mail to parkingservices@fareham.gov.uk. This should include PCN number, full name and address and any supporting documents, for example, invoice, delivery note or copy of Blue Badge showing the serial number and expiry date. In most cases the discount period will be reset if an appeal is made within 14 days of the date of issue of the PCN. Unresolved disputes are settled through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. This is an independent tribunal body based in Manchester. It is important to note a Penalty Charge is a civil debt and non-payment will be pursued by Fareham Borough Council through the County Court system. Non-payment could ultimately lead to bailiff action. For more information on how to Appeal please see the following links: - www.patrol-uk.info (this is an external hyperlink) or www.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk (this is an external hyperlink).

Does this mean that the Council will review its position on resident's parking schemes?
Yes, but not immediately. The Council is preparing a Fareham Town Centre Parking Strategy, which will consider the opportunities for introducing residents’ parking schemes in the vicinity of the town centre, where there is a high incidence of commuter or shopper parking. Any subsequent schemes that are introduced would need to be self-financing, and be informed by the initial period of operating the new enforcement regime.

Can I park outside a school to pick up/drop off my child(ren)?
Parking outside schools should be discouraged for the safety of the children. Zig zag markings at the entrance to some schools mean drivers must not stop, even to drop off or pick up. The Civil Enforcement Officers will enforce this regulation by serving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), either by placing the PCN on the vehicle, handing it to the driver, or sending the PCN through the post. The police can also enforce these regulations as parking outside schools is an endorsable offence, which will incur penalty points on the driving licence.

Is it possible to park on verges to keep out of the way of passing traffic?
Vehicles parking on verges and pavements are becoming an increasing problem throughout the Borough - it is contrary to the Highways Act, can often be an obstruction to other users of the highway and if there are double yellow lines it is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act, resulting in the issue of a parking ticket. Parking on verges may also damage public ultilities plant in the verge or may leave unsightly or hazardous ruts. Motorists should therefore not park on verges. Fareham Borough Council is not an enforcing authority for verge and pavement parking and reports should be made to the police non-emergency number 0845 045 4545. The Council has introduced Traffic Regulation Orders making parking on verges in certain streets in the borough an offence, as part of an on-going programme. For more information contact: tel: 01329 236100 or e-mail: traffic@fareham.gov.uk

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How to get here

Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Hampshire, PO16 7AZ

Tel: +44 (0)1329 236100 | Mobile Text/Photo: 07876 131415 | Fax: +44 (0)1329 821770