Disability benefits | Financial help for disabled

Several schemes as well as financial assistance programmes can help the disabled pay their bills and live an independent life. The central government provides support as well as councils. In addition, disability help, including grants, can also be provided by charities as well as not-for-profits.

The financial help can be for many needs. Housing as well as fuel bill schemes can assist individuals on a low income. There are also disability programmes around food, both free Meals on Wheels as well as emergency foodbanks, both of which aim to stop hunger. Councils as well as DHP is for the low income and assists with rent payments. Government benefits including Personal Independence Payments (PIP) as well as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) grants can also be provided. More information is available on these assistance programmes below.

Disability benefits from the government

There are some main schemes provided. The central government partners with councils as well as other agencies to provide this help in the community.

Children as well as adults with a disability can receive funds from DLA. The assistance for children is for those under the age of 16, that are residents of the UK, have challenges walking, and that are not under immigrant control. Funds are aimed at paying bills relating to caring for the child, and it can pay for transportation or mobility needs, clothing, food, and other costs of raising the child.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) also helps adults pay the bills, including rent or living expenses. It is aimed at adults with walking difficulties, which could impact employment. It covers both care and transportation costs for the individual. The grants for adults are paid out every 4 weeks, and the amount of money provided is based on a scale. As far as the care that is covered by DLA, this includes household living expenses too. The central UK government may allow grants to be used to pay for food or health care needs of the disabled, and funds can also pay for housing, gas bills, and household expenses.

Council funds can also pay for adaptions to homes, including to those tenants that rent a property or the disabled that have a mortgage. The improvements are wide ranging. Adaptions may be wheelchair ramps, lifts, improvements to bathrooms, free equipment and more. Anything that the disabled person needs to stay in their local area can be covered by the council grant scheme.

Grants can pay for the disabled transportation as well as vehicles. Most of the transportation is around reducing taxes, aid it for people on PIP or DLA. This can make a car much more affordable due to the exemption. It addition to paying for taxes, the Blue Badge parking scheme is for individuals that have difficulty walking and there are discounted travel cards as well.

Benefits known as PIP – Personal Independence Payment, is for the disabled who are between the ages of 16 and 64. It also pays for individuals with a sickness or long-term health care issue. Grants help pay bills when the client is not able to work due to the disability.

PIP is aimed at helping those on care. Government funds assist with living expenses for the sick or older adults. All types of bills are paid by the benefit. PIP can provide funds for housing costs (mortgage or rent) as well as mobility needs. If there is extra health care costs or special food needs, the PIP benefit can pay for that as well. Any need can be covered.

Many other government schemes are provided for the disabled. Work may be arranged by JobCentres, Access to Work can pay for transportation, employment specialists help, and other aid is arranged too. Those facing poverty can also receive help for paying energy bills from discount schemes, payment plans, and more. Many programmes are offered.

For more information on government disability benefits, ring 0345 605 6055. A customer support centre has been set up, and they can advise on how to apply and what the income limits are. Or a local council often has information on grants, welfare schemes, and more. Find local councils.

Financial help for disabled from charities

Most of the financial help is provided by the government benefits above. Charities can help in other ways as well. There are free Meals on Wheels service which deliver items to the disabled. Organisations such as the Salvation Army provide basic needs including clothing, low cost goods from re-use stores, Christmas gifts, and more.

A disabled person, that has no mobility, can sign up for free Meals on Wheels. It is available across the UK in local cities, town, and boroughs. A charity will have a volunteer bring a hot meal to the home of the client. During this delivery a home visit also takes place, in which the disabled person will be checked up on for health and any needed care. Find more details on Meals for Wheels for senior citizens and the disabled.

If mobility is not an issue, then food banks can be used. The client will need a voucher from one of the organisations that take part in the programme. They give out free groceries, food, and related supplies. The places to turn to for the voucher may be Citizens Advice, a church, or even a council centre.

Second hand stores and recycling centres also provide the disabled with goods, including free furniture, for their home. This can prevent them from leaving their property or needing to resettle. The supplies can help them be safe and mobile in their home or flat, so it is an effective form of assistance. Find more details on free furniture from charities and welfare.

A combination of charities, not for profit credit unions and council schemes can offer the disabled rental assistance. There are schemes including Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) which pay a portion of housing costs. When in arrears, there are also places to get help paying rent from. It can help the tenant get back on track with their housing. While no as common, a charity may sometimes have some funds for paying for the needs of the renter as well.

Charities provide grants and vouchers as well. There are some organisations such as Percy Bilton Charity that offer financial help, or others including the Family Action address other living expenses. A list of groups offers some form of aid when faced with a disability. Locate grants.