Also inform creditors – many will offer breathing space if they know someone had a major medical emergency. Costs of Rehabilitation The NHS will cover emergency treatment and in- hospital rehabilitation, but sometimes specialist neurorehabilitation units (especially longer-term residential rehab) have limited availability. Compensation or fundraising can come in if your loved one would benefit from a specific rehabilitation program or equipment not readily provided by NHS. Talk to the hospital’s discharge planner about what rehab is being arranged. You have the right to ask for a referral to a specialist centre if you feel your loved one needs it. There are also private rehabilitation facilities in the UK – as mentioned in the previous chapter, interim compensation payments can fund those if needed, or sometimes a personal health budget via the NHS can be arranged. Work and Employment If the injured person was working, keeping their employer in the loop (with appropriate notes from doctors) is important. The employer might hold the job open, or the person might eventually need to be medically retired if they can’t return. If you, as a family member, must stop working or cut hours to provide care, see if your employer offers compassionate leave or flexible working arrangements. You have a right to request flexible working and to take emergency dependants leave (short-term) in England & Wales. After the acute phase, if the survivor can attempt work, Access to Work grants can fund workplace adjustments or support. Some charities help with vocational rehabilitation.
Attendance Allowance: If your loved one is over the State Pension age and has disabilities from a spinal injury, Attendance Allowance is the equivalent benefit to PIP (for seniors). It helps with daily care costs. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: If the SCI happened at work or was caused by work (e.g., falling from a height on a construction site), the injured person might qualify for this benefit, which compensates for disability from work injuries. NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) This is not a cash benefit, but if your loved one has very high care needs, they might be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. The NHS funds the cost of care (at home or in a care facility) in full. This is usually for severe cases and involves an assessment. Council Services Local authorities can provide support after a spinal cord injury. For example, you can request a Care Needs Assessment for the injured person and a Carer’s Assessment for the family caregiver. These assessments determine if the council can provide services like in-home carers, respite care, equipment (special beds, wheelchairs), or adaptations to the home (through Disabled Facilities Grants). Many spinal cord injury survivors get helpful equipment or home modifications via the council. The NHS and social services also have rehabilitation support – some areas have community spinal cord injury teams that follow up after hospital. Interim financial help If your family’s income suddenly drops (say the injured person was the main earner), don’t wait to seek help. Aside from benefits, speak to your mortgage lender or landlord – some have policies for serious injury (like mortgage payment holidays).
Thompsons Solicitors have a team of employment lawyers ready to help you on employment matters.
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS (UK)
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