Help Benidorm

We are so very sorry to hear of the sad news that Marilyn, who was a long serving and very respected member, has passed away and was laid to rest at Villajoyosa crematorium. Marilyn was an extremely valued volunteer and was the President, some years ago. During her time, she made many, many friends………she will be sadly missed.

R.I.P Marilyn Rogers

Jack and his mates decided to have a 3-day holiday in Benidorm. Jack has Type 1 Diabetes and what he didn’t anticipate was that his personal possessions would mysteriously disappear and he would collapse due to hypoglycemic encephalopathy and end up on ICU due to prolonged hypoglycemiae; in a coma, relying on breathing and feeding tubes to keep him alive, with possible brain damage. Jack did not declare his pre-existing condition on his insurance and for that, is paying the ultimate price. Jacks’ mum and dad have been with him every single day since it happened and now just want to take their son home and get him into Neuro rehab.

Jack’s parents organised a massive fund raising campaign to pay for an air ambulance back to the UK. The cost was over 25,000 euros. Help Benidorm was able to arrange a grant from The British Benevelont Fund in Madrid to cover part of the cost.

Jack returned to the UK and is making good progress in a rehabilitation unit in a Staffordshire hospital.

Do you have C.O.P.D or similar related conditions and rely on an 02 Oxygenator, preventing you from booking holidays ?

HELP Benidorm can loan you, free of charge, a Respironics Everflow continuous oxygen concentrator for the duration of your holiday. We request a returnable deposit of 150€. We ask for proof of prescription by a registered Doctor. As a charity we receive no funding but rely solely on donations. Contact us via Facebook (HELP International). contact us on +34 607 387 040, or email us at benidormhelp@gmail.com or fill in our CONTACT FORM

Could you give some of your time to help people in time of need or who have become vulnerable? We are a small group who meet every Thursday morning (10.30 am) at the community centre up near the tram station (Centro Social José Llorca Linares C/ de Goya, s/n, 03502 Benidorm). It is helpful if you have a car and can speak Spanish (but in no way is this an essential requirement). We are a happy bunch who fully support each other. Check us out to find out what we do and consider if its something that you could be involved with…..on Facebook (HELP International). Visit our website https://www.helpbenidorm.org. Or contact us on 607 387 040

HELP International were more than happy to give another contribution to Project 4 All. Accepting the donation is Jonny Hellraizer (Jonny Elraiz) and Jo Hollingworth (middle); two of the exceptional volunteers who ensure that the homeless and vulnerable people in and around the Benidorm area, are looked after. The aim of the charity is to get out and about with regular food runs, as well as equipping people with (winter) supplies ( sleeping bags / clothes etc).

The charity needs constantly funding for it to continue its amazing work. Check out their Facebook page if you want to make a donation.

Presenting the cheque are HELP volunteers; Jennifer Illston (left) newly elected Secretary and Linda Booth (right); Membership Co-ordinator.

You can apply for this at the ayuntamiento. Also online in English at https://alicante.avanzagrupo.com/en If you are on the Padron you are advised to do it through the town hall to get more benefits. You will need a photo.

For Benidorm council book appointment (Cita Previa) at. https://benidorm.org/es/ayuntamiento/concejalias/atencion-al-ciudadano/cita-previa. Chhose Otro Tramite Sin Registro and choose nearest office.

For people living in Spain with Spanish public health care provided by an S1 form they should apply for the New EHIC card and not the GHIC which is for UK residents only. You can only apply for this if you were legally resident in Spain (i.e. had a green EU resident card) before 31st Dec 2020. This means you are covered by the withdrawal agreement.

https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start

It appears that though the EHIC covers you for urgent care while visiting other EU countries apart from Spain, it does not cover you in the UK. You are always advises by the UK Government to take out additional travel insurance.

The new UK EHIC will cover you for all medically necessary, state-provided healthcare when visiting another EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.

Below is copied from EHIC website

“If you hold an S1, your EHIC will not cover you in the country you live in or the UK”

Most benefit claims need a certificado de empadronamiento, generally the historico colectivo with all family members listed on it.

The extension office of Benidorm Ayuntamiento in Avenida Juan Fuster Zaragoza 1, on the corner of the health centre block, opposite the GB Bar (formerly Mad Monk) now say that you no longer need an appointment.

Social Bonus. Iberdrola Electricity Discount for Low Income ( Pensioners, Covid Affected,) Also Large Families ie more than 3 children. The account should be in name of claimant (Titular)

https://www.curenergia.es/social-bonus

It is easy to apply online or at Iberdrola office. On the first page is a chart showing annual income levels below which you can claim. Also when you start to fill it in you will be shown the monthly limits below which you can apply.

You need to be on the regulated variable tariff, Pvpc not on a special deal except for Dia y Noche.

If you are not supplied by Iberdrola you should enquire with your supplier, but if it is a free market tariff you are on, you can not claim this discount bonus.

(If you are receiving UK pension and Attendance allowance, remember that they are paid 4 weekly so you will have to multiply them by 13 and divide by 12 to get the monthly figure.)

The discount is normally 25% (vulnerable) but can be 40% (severley vulnerable) for people on a very low income.
The income limits vary according to family size and special circumstances.

Special circunstances include single parent, disability more than 33% if you have a disability card from Alicante, or Dependency grade 1 or 2 if you have this on an “Informe de salud para reconocimiento de prestaciones sociales)The latter, an assessment of your disability is done by the nurse and doctor at your Health Centre.

Large Families and Pensioners receiving a Spanish pension can get the 25% discount without proving income, but can claim the 40% discount if they fall below the income limits.

Large families with more than 3 children will need a large family certificate to claim.

Remember British pensioners will have to show income with a P60.

Also if you do not have a libro de familia, you will need to get a certificate of Fe de Vida to show you are alive. You can get these from the local registry office, courts (Juzgado) or justice of peace office (Juzgado de Paz)

Obtaining Volante de Empadronamiento from Benidorm.
Most benefit claims need a volante de empadronamiento, generally the historico with all family members listed on it. You can do it online if you have cl@ve at this link. https://sede.benidorm.org/catalogo-de-servicios

or making an appointment for using this link ( also for making appointment for other council services except PROP office)

https://benidorm.org/es/cita-previa#services

La Nucia and Al faz de Pi do not require appointments to get volante de empadronamiento from town hall. Neither does Villajoyosa, but you get in from the Casa de Juventud.

You have to renew discount every two years apart from Large Families who renew when their large family certificate runs out. There is a separate link for renewals on the main page.