Benefits Advice and Support

Page Updated: 7th August 2023

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On this web page you will find links to a range of organisations and charities that can provide information, advice and support when applying for benefits if you or someone you care for has a Special Educational Need and/or disability.

West Sussex based charities

Reaching Families - A parent-carer led, grassroots charity which aims to support parents and families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in their daily lives. This is through the delivery of information, training and peer support. They work with over 2,000 West Sussex families every year through a range of high-quality projects and services.

West Sussex Parent Carer Forum - An independent charity run mostly by parent volunteers; they represent parent carer views to various organisations and professional bodies to improve county/health/social care services for disabled children, young people and their families.

Carers Support West Sussex - Run Support Groups, a Carer Response Line, help carers access equipment to assist them in their caring role or provide funds so that carers can do something for themselves. They can also help carers access counselling and call back services.

Citizens Advice West Sussex - Help to Claim service - help applying for Universal Credit. Free, impartial advice from Citizens Advice. Online support including Consumer service, Help to Claim, Debt advice.

Household Support Fund - The fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in need, including unpaid carers and disabled people.

National information and advice

Gov.uk - Offers a wide range of up to date information on many topics including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit. You can also download forms for completion.

Contact - Support families with the best possible guidance and information. They bring families together in local groups and online, to support each other by sharing experiences and advice. They help families to campaign, volunteer, fundraise and shape local services to improve life for themselves and others.

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 partner organisations.

Shelter Housing - Advice helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services.

Advice UK - Support to front-line centres agencies that offer independent social welfare and legal advice to those in need.

Support Line - Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. They work with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies, an inner feeling of strength and increased self-esteem to encourage healing, recovery and moving forward with life.

Scope - Provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed. They provide a helpline for benefits advice.

Skybadger - Provide a range of information and support relating to apply for disability related benefits.

Disability Rights UK - Disability Rights UK are the acknowledged experts on benefits for disabled people

The Family Fund - We are the UK’s largest provider of grants to low-income families raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people. Family Fund believes that families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people should have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as wider families. Helps families of disabled or seriously ill children under 16; for example with family breaks, digital equipment, white goods, clothing, bedding, furniture and play equipment.

Independent Lives - Many people in West Sussex are designing their own care and support with information, advice and guidance from Independent Lives which is a user-led charity and social enterprise working to change the lives of disabled people, people with support needs and carers.

Linking Help with Hope - our mission is to provide financial assistance to those who are in hardship due to illness or disability. This includes physical and diagnosed mental health conditions, learning disabilities and people caring for an adult or child with a disability. Applications via professional person who knows details of finances and personal circumstances. (formerly League of the Helping Hand)

REACT - An independent charity which helps children with a life-limiting illness that are living at home with their family. We provide individual financial assistance where possible for assist with equipment and facilities, to help with care and treatment, fares to hospital appointments, and domestic items which may not be available from other sources and mobile home holiday and lastly funeral expenses.