Hart and Rushmoor Branch of the National Autistic Society - Information for Adults with Aspergers

Benefits:
You may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance if you meet the specific
criteria. Over 16's have to complete the adult form, but you can have help from
various sources including the Benefit Enquiry Line, Citizen's Advice and your
local Jobcentre Plus. The NAS also have some helpful advice on the subject,
including a supplementary information document.

The Disability Alliance is regarded as the leading authority on social security
benefits for disabled people.

Diagnosis:
If you are looking at getting a diagnosis you have two options; via the NHS or
privately. If you opt for the NHS, your GP is the place to start - go fully
prepared with a detailed list of why you think a diagnosis might be needed and
how it would help your life. If your GP agrees, you will then have to join a
(long) waiting list to see a specialist.
If you opt for the private route, it is generally a faster process, but will cost
you in the region of Ł250 (minimum!) The NAS Autism Directory provides list
of places to get a diagnosis, but the nearest one to Hampshire, which assesses
and diagnoses adults, is the www.ashwoodpractice.co.uk.

Further Education:
An Adult Learning Grant could pay you up to Ł30 per week during term time
to help with the cost of studying full-time for a first Level 2 or 3 qualification.
To qualify you must be over 19 years old, studying on a relevant course and
earning less than Ł19,000 per year.

An Education Maintanance Allowance (EMA) is for 16, 17 and 18 year olds
who are thinking of joining an LSC funded Entry 2 Employment programme or
starting a full-time further education course at college or school, or becoming
a Programme Led Apprentice.

A Disabled Student's Allowance is a grant to help meet the extra costs of
studying that students face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning
difficulty. They are designed to help disabled students study on an equal basis
with other students. More information can also be found here.

Housing Issues:
There are many places to look for advice and help with housing and support.
The first place to check what's available is your local council, but there are
also other organisations that may be able to help.

www.housingoptions.org.uk Housing Options is a housing advisory service
for people with learning disabilities, their families and their supporters.

www.NAS.org.uk The NAS provides a wide range of residential and day
services for adults with autistic spectrum disorders. This range includes
residential and day provision, offering flexible, specialised support to
individuals with varying needs.

www.efitzroy.org.uk Are a national charity that provides practical support
for adults with all forms of learning disability. They run various services
within Hampshire, click here for more details.

www.leonard-cheshire.org Support for disabled peopled, offering respite
care, care at home, day care and independent living services.

Direct payments: These are to assist you to live the lifestyle of your
choice. Being able to control your own assistants is what Hampshire Direct
Payments scheme is all about.

Employment:
Hampshire Supported Employment has offices in Aldershot, Basingstoke
and Fareham. They offer an employment service that works in partnership
with employers in Hampshire, giving individuals with a learning disability the
opportunity to experience employment and contribute to the workforce.
Telephone 01252 319 603 for more information.

ASSIST (Asperger Support, Signposting & Information Services Team) run
the ASPIRE group, which is for adults with Asperger Syndrome. Group
members are aged between 18 and 40+ and although the group is based in
Goldalming people come from all over the county and beyond!