Overview
Having a child or young person with additional needs can put extra pressure on your finances. It costs more to raise a disabled child than a non-disabled child. It can also be difficult to do both paid work and caring.
If you’re struggling to pay bills or worried about money, you can get free help. You don’t need to wait until you’re in debt or facing a crisis.
Check you’re getting all the financial help you can
If money is tight, it can help to first check you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to.
Find out about:
- benefits for disabled children and young people, parents and carers
- grants that may help with the extra costs of raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person
- help with costs linked to services and support your child or young person needs
If you have a disabled child, Contact can help you understand benefits and other financial support your family may be able to get. Their parent advisers can give information and advice about your situation.
You can also use Help4All to find other support available in Somerset, including help with money, food, housing and other family needs.
If you’ve already looked at these, or the extra help still isn’t enough, you can get free money and debt advice.
Get help with money problems
If you’ve already looked at the financial help available, or it still isn’t enough, there are places that can help.
MoneyHelper has free guidance on managing your money, from everyday finances to dealing with money problems.
If you’re worried about debt or struggling to keep up with payments, Citizens Advice Somerset can help.
A debt adviser can look at your finances with you and explain your options. They can also help you deal with people you owe money to.
Get help if you can't afford essentials
If you don’t have enough money for essentials such as food, energy or other urgent living costs, help may be available.
Somerset’s Crisis and Resilience Fund can provide urgent help if you’re struggling to pay for essentials.
You can also get advice about longer-term support to help prevent another financial crisis.
Learning to manage your own money
If you’re a young person who wants to learn about budgeting, bank accounts, benefits and managing your own money, see Managing your finances in Preparing for adult life.