Finances – Debt Management

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

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.

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

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.

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. “