Managing your money

We don’t know what lies ahead of us in terms of life choices, health or potential care needs, but it is never too early to start planning your future finances to make some of this a little easier.

There are many organisations who can provide you with free, independent advice in relation to managing your finances and we would strongly advise that you should take financial and legal advice to help you decide which course of action to take in terms of preparing for your future and the possibility of paying for care services.

Society of Later Life Advisors (SOLLA)

Financial advice can be daunting at the best of times and even more so when it comes to planning in later life. SOLLA accredited advisors can give you independent advice on a range of financial matters such as:

• retirement planning - pensions and annuities
• funding for Care Home fees
• funding for care in your own home
• equity release and other property options
• savings and investment planning
• tax matters and estate and wealth planning

Disability Information and Advice Line (DIAL)

Disability Information and Advice Line (DIAL) is an organisation made up of experienced experts with a common interest on disability and catering to all aspects of living with a disability. They are a team of agile, committed, and focused individuals who believe in the abilities that reside in disability.

As a network of local centres, their primary goal is to provide adequate information and support to individuals living with disability throughout the United Kingdom.

Making a will

Making a will can help protect your loved ones after you die, and ensure your estate is dealt with in the way you choose.

More information on how to make a will can be found on the Gov.UK website.

Budgeting/Help in a Crisis

MoneyHelper can give you advice and support around:

• benefits
• family and care
• money troubles
• savings
• everyday money
• pensions and retirement
• homes
• work

Help in Emergencies for local people (HELP)

HELP (Help in Emergencies for Local People) is a discretionary scheme offering local welfare assistance.

Types of support available:

• support for exceptional needs
• limited payments for emergency funding in a crisis
• to help people moving out of care

Citizen’s Advice England

The Citizens Advice Service is independent and provides free, confidential, and impartial advice to everybody. This could include matters such as:

• employment
• debt
• housing
• benefits
• legal matters