SEND - Family Finance
Family Finance aims to inform and educate families, leading to their greater financial well-being and consequent improvements in lifestyle. At a time of huge change to the benefits system, the organisations listed below will help provide a much needed source of free, confidential, high-quality and up-to-date advice for parents. Please also use the links to view related information.
See below to a Government saving Scheme
Get help with savings if you are on a low income Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save): How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Updated - November 2022
Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit
Specialists in welfare benefits, debt & housing advice.
The service is FREE, Indepentent, Confidential & Impartial.
Drop in Tuesdays & Wednesdays and you will need to be there before 9am
Telephone helpline & appointments: Direct 0118 9551071 - Advice Line 0118 9551070
252 Northumberland AvenueReadingBerkshire RG2 7QA -
Email: advisor@readingspecialist.co.uk
https://readingspecialist.co.uk/
CommuniCare
CommuniCare is a local Christian Community Advice Centre to help people in the Reading area meet their complete needs through offering information, advice and support.
CommuniCare can offer Debt Advice - Form Filling - Housing Advice - Benefits Checking - Employment Advice and much more...
233, Kings Road Reading, RG1 4LS Tel: 0118 9263941 Email: office@communicare.co.uk Web: www.communicare.co.uk
Autism Berkshire - Benefits Service
Autism Berkshire's Benefits Service iprovides help completing application forms and preparing for appeals, and our Benefits Adviser Kevin Jackson is also able to represent people at benefit assessment hearings and appeal tribunals.
In addition to helping with benefit applications for individuals and families living with autism, Kevin is now able to assist people with a number of conditions related to autism, including severe dyslexia, dyspraxia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
He can help with the following benefits:
Universal Credit; Employment & Support Allowance; Jobseeker's Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
We also offer some advice seminars at our office about how to complete application forms for some benefits.
For more information see autismberkshire.org.uk/benefits-service/ and to book appointments, call Kevin Jackson or Autism Berkshire’s administrator, Georgie Mitchell, on 01189 594 594 or email admin@autismberkshire.org.uk
Reading Mencap
Contact a Family Adviser at Reading Mencap Centre by telephoning 0118 966 2518 during office hours 9.30 to 1.30 Monday to Friday Reading Mencap Family Support Service You may just want to chat to a Family Adviser to see if your child or dependant might qualify for a benefit, it is always worth checking.
Stepping Forward
Stepping Forward Stepping Forward works to facilitate and accelerate access to essential services, information, resources and life opportunities so that all people affected by disability can live a full life.
Please see links below for further information on Benefits & Finances
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Cerebra - Working with you and your amazing child
Our website gives advice on finance and benefits and they publish a comprehensive guide on DLA.