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 Specialist 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 Specialist 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.

She is unable to make home visits but attends our MSA Support Groups on an occasional basis.

Sam can be contacted on 0203 404 6673, by email at support@msatrust.org.uk or through your MSA Health Care Specialist.