How can I access support?

02/04/2008

Q: I am a disabled person living in the Torbay Area. I am having problems with the local healthcare authorities and am experiencing increasing memory and cognitive problems following a severe car accident.

 

I have been in touch with “Headway” who agree that there appears to be a problem but I am not sure who to turn to next. I am now having severe difficulties managing my own affairs, financial and otherwise. Your advice would be very much appreciated.

 

 

The Benefits Doctor says:

 

It sounds to me as if you need to contact your local council’s social services department for an assessment of your needs. The assessment will highlight the areas you are having difficulty with, including managing your care needs and finances. 

 

They will then be able to help you work out what support you need. 

They should also be able to help you access support for the problems you are having with your local health services. I’d also obtain a benefits check as there may be disability benefits you can claim.

 

 

 

 

MT‘s “Benefits Doctor” Lee Healey, the manager of leading London charity DABD (UK),  is here to help! Lee writes a “Benefits Doctor”  column for Mature Times every month. You can write to him with your questions headed “Benefits Enquiries by email to: 

jayne.warren@maturetimes.co.uk. We cannot promise to answer all enquiries, but we will certainly do our best.