Building Financial Resilience for People with Learning Disabilities

FAIR (Family Advice Information Resource) Ltd supports people with learning disabilities, their parents and carers, by providing advice, information, activities and advocacy support. It provides advice on welfare rights, social care, benefits, financial capability and information in accessible formats including health guides.

FAIR recognised that the impact of welfare reform, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis was, and still is, having a disproportionate effect on people with learning disabilities and their families. More people are facing poverty and crisis situations, and there can be long delays when trying to access benefits. FAIR was being approached by an increasing number of families and carers who previously managed to get by but were now struggling to maintain a basic standard of living due to the increase in household bills and food shopping.

In April 2025, FAIR received a grant of £5,000 from the Volant Charitable Trust small grants programme, contributing to the cost of employing a full-time Cost of Living Advice Worker to support people with learning disabilities.

The Advice Worker aims to provide early intervention to prevent situations from reaching a crisis point, helping individuals and families access the income and benefits they were entitled to and better manage day-to-day life. Through practical support, people with learning disabilities and their carers were better able to build financial resilience, manage their circumstances and live more independently. 

The project also helped address the additional financial pressures and barriers faced by people with learning disabilities during the cost-of-living crisis. By improving financial wellbeing and reducing financial stress and anxiety, the support contributed to improved overall wellbeing and a better quality of life for disabled people and their families and carers.

Individual Story

A lady was referred to FAIR from the Jobcentre as she needed support with completing a form to determine she had limited capability for work related activity. She had applied for Universal Credit (UC) as she had not been able to maintain her job as a care assistant due to poor health. She also had a learning disability, epilepsy, and significant mental health issues in addition to being a mother and carer of two children, one of whom with significant care needs. With only a community psychiatric nurse (CPN) for support she had no other help to deal with letters, benefits, and money.

FAIR helped with her Universal Credit claim and was quickly given the award. After dealing with the presenting issue, the worker discussed benefits more in depth with her and it became apparent she should have been getting a higher rate of disability benefit. The worker helped to complete an Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - Change of Circumstances form as she was getting only standard daily living but with no mobility component. Social Security Scotland take quite a while to process claims, and in the meantime, she was supported to contact her GP for a Severely Mentally Impairment (SMI) Council Tax discount on her Council Tax as she was entitled to it but never knew.

The lady was in extreme crisis and poverty. FAIR therefore supported her to access fuel bank vouchers and funding to help pay her energy bills and to contact Home Energy Scotland as there appeared to be an issue with her bill prices.

Following support from FAIR her annual income increased by over £14,000 per year after receiving the highest award for Adult Disability Payment of almost £9,000 a year and £5,000 backdated, almost £5,000 a year from Universal Credit, and a SMI discount to Council Tax applied, which is a reduction of 25%. FAIR also helped her to apply for grants to buy essential items and made her case known to social work for further support at home.

FAIR said quite simply: 

Read more about the Volant Charitable Trust – Small Grants Programme.