Financial advice
The financial implications of an SCI can be challenging, especially when the injured person has been a significant earner for the family.
Financial concerns are one of the leading causes of stress for people and will undoubtedly have an impact on the whole family.
So it’s important to get help assessing your financial position as soon as possible.
What should you consider?
If your relative was in employment up until the time they were injured, the first thing you need to do is check their terms and conditions of employment and find out how long they will be paid by the firm and whether they need to apply for Statutory Sick Pay.
Some companies may have a welfare scheme to support employees in need of extra financial help. This may be useful later if you need a specific piece of specialist equipment.
If you are unable to make regular payments such as your mortgage for example, contact the companies concerned and ask for a ‘holiday’ while you sort matters out. If you explain you are seeking professional advice on your long-term financial situation, they will be sympathetic.
Find out if your relative had any critical illness cover or if there is personal injury cover or legal expenses insurance with your household insurance policy.Be warned: We do not recommend you use a non-specialist solicitor appointed by your insurance company to deal with an SCI claim. You need a specialist in SCI work.
If you have a young family, and there are issues such as school and college fees to pay, you should speak to the establishments concerned, explain the situation with your relative and ask for time to sort things out.
If you have a young family, and there are issues such as school and college fees to pay, you should speak to the establishments concerned, explain the situation with your relative and ask for time to sort things out.
All the SCI Centres will be able to offer advice on how to obtain grants and funding and will assist in claiming the benefits to which the injured person is entitled. Each grant making trust have their own criteria.
There are two national spinal cord injury grant making charities:
- Aspire Fund gives money to people with spinal cord injury to help them purchase essential equipment to increase independence and improve quality of life.
https://www.aspire.org.uk/eligible-for-a-grant
Telephone: 020 8420 6707 - Regain funds specialist equipment to improve the independence of all British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of a sports or leisure injury.
http://www.regainsportscharity.com/
Telephone: 01590 677854 - SIA has information about funding your care at https://www.spinal.co.uk/get-support/life-matters/funding-your-care/
Sources of financial advice
There may be a Benefits Advisor who can come into the hospital or a hospital social worker or case manager qualified to give benefits advice. Ask in the SCI Centre who you can approach for advice.
StepChange Debt Charity is the UK’s leading debt advice organisation. Through their Freephone debt helpline, and online Debt Remedy tool, they provide free debt advice to help transform the lives of those struggling with the stress and worry of problem debt.
Telephone: 0800 138 1111
Website: www.stepchange.org
www.directgov.co.uk is a one-stop site for all public services but, if you type ‘guide to benefits’ in the search box, you will find a comprehensive section on benefit entitlements.
www.entitledto.co.uk is a free benefits calculator to work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.
There are 135 local DIALS offering telephone advice.
Call the national office on 01302 310123 to find your local branch or visit their website www.scope.org.uk.
You can find details of your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau by:
Telephone: 020 7833 2181
Website: www.nacab.org.uk
Free dedicated welfare benefit advice service tailored to provide appropriate advice and support to people with Spinal Cord InjuryTelephone: 020 8420 6711email: welfarebenefits@aspire.org.uk
Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. It gives free impartial guidance to all members of the public.
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations
The Benefits Calculator takes less than 10 minutes to complete and it will tell you which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, including tax credits.
The Grants Search can help you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant or other types of help.
Click directly on this link for disability related information Disabled, ill or injured – Turn2us
Website: About Us – Turn2us
