MSA Trust

Social Welfare Specialist Service

As well as our MSA Health Care Specialist support we also have a Social Welfare Specialist Service.

Help can be given with the following range of issues:

  • Benefits checks – information about the benefits system including eligibility, applications and appeals. Our Social Welfare Specialists can provide email, telephone or video call support with the completion of benefits forms.
  • Continuing Health Care (CHC) funding – giving information about eligibility criteria, CHC assessments and the appeals process.
  • Care Services – information about how the care system works, including accessing a care assessment and other services (for example, day centres, respite care, community transport) from local councils.
  • Carers services – information on support for carers including carers assessments, carers groups etc.
  • Equipment and adaptations– information about how to obtain equipment and what should be available via statutory agencies (the NHS, Social Services etc). Information can be given on funding for home adaptations.
  • Information around transport – including the Motability scheme, community transport, blue badges and travel.
  • Grants – the MSA Trust has a small grants budget which our Social Welfare Specialists manages Assistance can be given to access other charitable funding to help meet needs.

Our Social Welfare Specialist, Sam Fitzgerald is available from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm (4pm on Fridays). Louise Hardy is available Tuesdays to Thursdays, 9am-5pm.

They are unable to make home visits but attend our MSA Support Groups on an occasional basis.

We can put you in touch with Sam and Louise by calling 0333 323 4591, emailing support@msatrust.org.uk or through your MSA Health Care Specialist.

Please note, that while we are not part of the National Health Service (NHS) or Health Service Executive (HSE) and do not have access to their database systems, we work closely with health and care professionals in these organisations.