Finances - Benefits

Money Matters

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.

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Autism Anglia guide to PiP/DLA

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

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Benefits and Work

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.

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Benefits - GOV.UK

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

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Benefits - Disability

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Benefits - Help for Carers

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Carers Allowance

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Essex County Council - Housing Benefit

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

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DOSH

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.

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Making Money Easier - United Response

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

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Benefits & Tax Credits | Contact

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.

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Carers UK factsheet about Council Tax reductions

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.

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Colchester Gateway Clubs Advocacy and support service for people with a learning disability and their families in North Essex

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. “