Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Further advice
Our Legal Casework Service can provide information on other issues affecting deaf or hard of hearing people. However, we may not be able to provide direct advice or representation. You can find more information in our factsheets.
Community Care
Services for deaf and hard of hearing people
If you are deaf, you can get a lot of support from your local council, your local Jobcentre Plus, the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions, and other organisations, such as us.
Local authorities
Your local authority (LA) has a legal duty to give you help. This includes providing services. Your local social services department or housing department will usually provide these services. Contact these departments first.
The National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (NHSCCA) says that LAs must find out if any disabled people, including deaf people, need any particular community care services. To do this, they must carry out a community care assessment. If you need any community care services, the local authority should produce a community care plan to show what services you need and how you will get these.
The LA cannot refuse to carry out the assessment. However, this does not mean that you will definitely receive the service you need. The LA can take its resources into account when deciding whether someone is eligible to receive services. If your situation meets the criteria, and the LA decides that you need the services, it cannot then use a lack of resources as a reason not to meet the need.
You should make sure that your LA knows that you are deaf or hard of hearing or if you have any other disability. Contact your local social services department to do this.
Equipment
Your local social services department can help you with equipment. For example, textphones or a flashing light alert for your doorbell.
Community care grants
Community care grants are 'discretionary' awards to help disabled people live independently in the community. This means you do not automatically get them because you are disabled. As well as being disabled, you must meet certain conditions to get a grant. They are awarded by the Social Fund, which is part of Jobcentre Plus. They do not have to be paid back.
See our factsheet Community care grants for more information.