Financial help for families (360G-SCVO-a0gb000000QAZHaAAP)

This project will research & draw together in one place all of the disparate information about financial help for families of young people with disabilities, whether local or national, statutory or private (this is currently scattered across various websites and resources, but families can't easily find all the relevant information). This means that local families can easily locate, understand and access the financial help available to them, empowering them to maximise their finances which in turn will alleviate the social exclusion and poverty often associated with living with a disability. 31% of disabled children are in poverty (‘Disability and poverty’, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, August 2016). The cost of raising a child with additional support needs is 2-3 times higher than average & families often fall into debt or go without food or heating to make ends meet. Some of our families live in areas of multiple deprivation where poor transport, ill health and unemployment exacerbate the challenges of childhood disability. These factors mean a child is unfairly deprived of an ‘ordinary life’, (i.e. one where they have the same opportunities as their non-disabled friends) and parents suffer enormous pressure. Benefits or sympathetic grant funders can help, but families are often unaware of these, or unable to navigate the application process. Other assistance such as council tax concessions or support with fuel costs is available, but in our experience even fewer families know about these. The information gathered will be: • shared with families during individualised consultations at Signpost • published on our website • made into a booklet given to families, but also shared with/distributed by other local agencies e.g. libraries, social work, credit union, Citizen’s Advice and benefits advisors Additionally, two front-line staff will be trained to understand benefits, suggest ways to maximise income and support families to take financial control.