Finances

General advice on financial assistance for disabled people

Children with disabilities can be eligible for Disability Living Allowance and, at the age of 3, a mobility allowance is also assessed.  Details of eligibility can be found at the government website link above or talk to the Cheshire Carers Centre for advice http://www.carers.org/local-service/34926/services

Children are eligible for a blue badge if they in in receipt of the higher rate of the mobility element of Disability Living Allowance.  Children under the age of 3 qualify for a badge if they have a condition that requires they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment and/or that have a highly unstable medical condition and need quick access to transport to hospital or home.

The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme aims to ensure that disabled people do not pay more Council Tax because they live in a larger property than they would have needed if they were not disabled. Having a disability does not automatically entitle you to a reduction.

The requirements state that the property must be the main residence of at least one disabled person (whether adult or child) and you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• there is a room, other than a kitchen, bathroom or lavatory in the property, predominantly used by the disabled person (A room used as a bedroom or bedsitting room will not qualify)
• there is a second bathroom or kitchen used for meeting the needs of the disabled person (a second lavatory will not qualify)
• If there is a disabled person who needs to use a wheelchair indoors and there is space for them to do so

Cheshire East have an ‘Everybody Options’ leisure membership scheme which offers discounted membership for council leisure centres (swimming, gym, fitness classes) for carers in receipt of Carers Allowance.

Carers can apply for a relaxation card which offers discounted rates on beauty and relaxation treatments in local colleges

Children who are in receipt of the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance but who do not have a social worker and Direct Payments may be eligible for Aiming High Individual Payments which can be used to fund short breaks or respite care

A Direct Payment is an amount of money which the Council Social Services may give you to meet your care needs.  You can spend this money on services that will help you with your child’s everyday life (eg. respite care)

Some suppliers offer special discounted tariffs for vulnerable customers. These are often referred to as ‘social tariffs’. Some suppliers also offer help with energy efficiency measures such as insulation or draught proofing. You should contact your supplier to find out what help they provide and whether or not you are eligible. Each supplier will have its own eligibility criteria.  If you are unable to benefit from a special discounted tariff it is still worth asking if you could be paying less. They may be able to offer you a cheaper deal, or you might be able to save money by paying in a different way, for example by direct debit.

If someone is blind or severely sight impaired, they will receive a 50% concession on the cost of the household’s TV Licence. If the eligible person lives with someone who is blind or severely sight impaired they can also benefit from the blind concession by transferring their licence to the name of the blind or severely sight impaired person. 

There are numerous charity organisations which help provide support to families of disabled children – from funding an adapted bicycle to a holiday.  This website helps users find organisations which may help depending on their specific need.

There are too many individual organisations which offer free access to attractions for carers to mention each individually.  Many theatre companies, cinemas, zoos, parks, museums, theme parks, concert halls, palaces etc will offer free access to carers and it is worth asking what their policy is whenever you book anything.

This guide is about getting access to banking for people with a learning disability. It gives you general information about important laws including the Equality Act, Mental Capacity Act and banking laws. It includes tips and information on how to get support from banks and the different type of accounts you can choose from. It also tells you where you can get more information and help and how to deal with problems.