If you are doing general financial planning a great place to get information and advice is The Motley Fool. If they don't have an article on the thing you need to know about they have message boards on many specialist financial subjects.

The Motley Fool have assisted, and continue to support MSRC with some major fund-raising initiatives, such as Squiffy's London Marathon Antics 2005, and MsMuffet's Marathon 2006 for which we are truely greatful.

The Disabled Workers Co-Operative is a 'not-for-profit' organisation that is creating an online Database of the skills, products and services that disabled people have to offer. Registration on the database is FREE and it is FREE for anyone to use.

We have an eJobs Portal aimed at disabled jobseekers where you are able to advertise your vacancies and search for employees FREE.

For further information please visit our website at:

http://www.disabledworkers.org.uk

The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre are pleased to announce the launch of a range of Insurance Services for people with MS. The Insurance services, provided in association with The Insurance Surgery, will cover such things as Life, Travel, and Car Insurance, Enhanced Annuities and Care Home Plans.

For more information please visit the MSRC Insurance Services page

Did you know that if you are on benefits or receive Disability Living Allowance, you may be eligible for Free Loft and wall cavity insulation, or a grant to help towards these costs?

FREE insulation

• Homeowner / tenant over 60 years of age
• Homeowner / tenant in receipt of an income or disability related benefit

 Insulation Improvement Measures

• Cavity wall insulation Loft insulation (including cold water tank insulation jacket and pipe insulation)
• Draught proofing
• Hot water tank insulation jackets
• Reflective radiator panels

In addition as long as one of the above measures are undertaken then the following is also provided:

• 4 free low energy light bulbs
• Energy efficiency advice

Size of grant Grants are 100% of eligible works cost up to a maximum grant of £500

For further info, please call the relevant Telephone Number for your area or go to the EAGA website here

West side of England: 0800 072 0606

East side of England: 0800 952 1555

Wales: 0800 316 2815

Scotland: 0800 316 1653

N. Ireland 0800 181 667

For help or advice on Social Security Benefits for disabled people contact:

The Disability Alliance, publishers of the Disability Rights Handbook, is regarded as the leading authority on social security benefits for disabled people.

Tel. 020 724 78763 (Mondays and Wednesdays 2 - 4 pm)

You can claim two tax credits, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

The general rule is that to qualify for tax credits you must be aged 16 or over and usually live in the United Kingdom.

Full details for the Inland Revenue Tax Credit site.

Did you know that if have a continuing physical disability which means that you can not go out without the help of another person you qualify for a Medical Exemption Certificate (Medex), which entitles you to free prescriptions?

Also People with specified medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they suffer from any of the medical conditions listed below:

• a permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance
• forms of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
• diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
• diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone
• hypoparathyroidism
• myasthenia gravis
• myxoedema epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
• a continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person. Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months.

You may also qualify for a Medex certificate if you receive benefits, or have a low-income.

For all queries relating to the NHS Low Income Scheme, call: 0845 850 1166.

To apply pick up a HC1 Form from an Optitions, a Dentists, or a Social Security Office. Some Doctor's Surgeries and Chemists may also have them.

For general queries, regarding applying for Prescription Pre-payment, Medical and Maternity Exemption Certificates call: 0845 850 0030.

For further information visit the Department of Health's webpage or the Prescription Pricing Authority webpage

Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities. Employment Opportunities is a national charity helping people with disabilities find and retain work. We also provide a wide range of support and advice to employers on disability and employment issues. For further info visit their web site: http://www.opportunities.org.uk

Call Tel: 020 7448 5420

Email: info@eopps.org

Do you want to get back to work despite MS? If so Yes2Work can help you. It is a free service helping people who are out of work because of illness or disability to find and keep jobs!

Job Centre Plus help specifically for disabled people 

The Pension Service website is published by the Government. It provides information for individuals about pensions and other pensioner benefits in the UK, whether you are planning for the future, are about to retire or have already retired. It also has information about pensions for pension providers/advisers and employers.

.

The Department of Work and Pensions detailed web site is available here.

If you still have a problem within the UK please give MSRC a call on 0800 783 0518

The Inland Revenue website for information about any aspect of Income Tax.

This is the Citizen's Advice Bureau for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Always the first stop for advice on benefits and any other financial issues. The CAB also offers debt counselling and much more including help with completion of Disabled Living Allowance claim forms. 

They have a bit of a bad name with some people but they are there to help.

This is Citizens Advice in Scotland.

Always the first stop for advice on benefits and any other financial issues. The CAB also offers debt counselling and much more including help with completion of Disabled Living Allowance claim forms.