Finances

This guide for families about finances covers benefits, Appointeeship, banking, lasting power of attorney and court-appointed deputyship. It’s a really comprehensive guide and we are really pleased that Emma from our management team was able to contribute to the contents of the guide.

Autism Anglia have created the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) booklet, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) booklet and a Diary with information and tips.

Benefits and Work website says,

“Whether you are making your first claim for PIP, UC, ESA DLA or AA, having your award reviewed or appealing against a decision, our guides will ensure you are not left bewildered or missing out on important information that could make the difference between failure and success.”

Many guides are free, however becoming a member of Benefits and Work (at a reasonable cost)will allow you to access more of their guides.

The Government website provides current information for all benefits including help for carers and carers allowance.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets someone (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help them make decisions or to make decisions on their behalf. This can be for property & financial affairs, health & welfare or both. The person has to have mental capacity to agree to a lasting power of attorney. This link takes you to the Gov.uk website for to make, register or end a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Please take advise if you are unsure if this is the option for your family.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction is provided by your district, borough or city council. Click this link to find your local council.

Appointeeship – Information and guidance from the government website about becoming an appointee for someone claiming benefits.

DOSH supports people with a learning disability to manage their money. They believe that everyone should have personalised support to use their money in the way they want and for the things they enjoy. Dosh say they can support people to manage and use their money in the way you want. This is called financial advocacy. We can also support you to manage your benefits as your appointee.

To find useful guides like easy read guides to banking, see their resources page.

United response have produced a set of free guides with explanations for all things finance and money related.

The UK government have a page on their website with guidance on Cost of Living

Contact’s Benefits Calculator can help families plan for changes in their benefit entitlements when their loved one reaches adulthood or leaves education. With other guides around benefits and welfare this resource is useful to our families.

Some families may be entitled to a reduction in their Council Tax. Carers UK have produced a factsheet to help you explore if you can get a reduction.

Wills and Trusts Service

If someone with a learning disability has an inheritance left directly to them, it could lead to the loss of their means-tested benefits and support package.

Setting up a discretionary trust can give them financial security and help them to do the things they love.

Mencap provide free seminars for families with information and guidance from a solicitor who specialises in this complex area of law. From their website you can also download a free guide.

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Learner Support.

Learner Support can help pay for things you need to attend your course or study that are not covered by your course fees.

The money could help with, for example:

• travel costs
• accommodation
• materials and equipment
• a laptop and wifi
• childcare with an Ofsted-registered childcare provider

Colchester Gateway say,

“Our service is for people with Learning Disabilities and their families.

There are times in life when we all need a little help with understanding and making decisions – we can support you with this and Advocate for you with other organisations.  For example, we can support you with accessing healthcare or social care services, challenging decisions about your care and treatment, future care planning, assessments and reviews, housing, benefits applications and appeals, legal matters, police issues, complaints and more. “