The Whole Person Approach

Finance & money

You may choose to:
- Earn a salary or wage
- Apply for a student grant or loan
- Maximise your social security, disability or other benefits
- Enhance your budgeting skills
- Get information about debt or savings management

The following money-related factors need to be considered in an holistic approach to achieving a decent quality of life:

Salary / Wage
Money paid for work undertaken

Student grant / loan
Money received from a student grant or student loan from your Local Education Authority.

Benefits
Money received from benefits -- see below.

Debt / savings management
Assistance is available from independent and private organisations or local citizens advice bureaux. For help with dealing specifically with debt, visit http://www.moneyadvicetrust.org/

Benefits
The complexities of the benefits process involving different agencies and detailed form-filling can often act as a barrier to ensuring appropriate help and support is accessed.

But disability benefits are crucial for a decent quality of life. Accessing the full potential of an individual's entitlement to benefits can assist in achieving this. You can get a benefits check for free from your local citizens advice centre or welfare rights office. There may also be independent community organisations offering advice in your area, you could try looking for their details in the phone book or at your local library. These organisations will also help you with revisions and appeals if you are turned down for a benefit.

For more information on benefits for people with mental health problems, visit this web-site run by Neath Mind http://www.benefitsinmind.org.uk/