Having a child in hospital can place a financial burden on families, with time off work, travel and food costs. There are supports in place to help families with some of these costs.
Help with travel costs
Parking at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People is currently free of charge for all patients and visitors. Parking is also free at St John’s Hospital in Livingston. Regular travel costs, including mileage or taxi costs are included in the Scottish Government Young Patients Family Fund and can usually be claimed for and reimbursed.
Young Patients Family Fund
If you are the parent or primary carer of a child under 18 and also receiving in-patient hospital care, you can apply for the Young Patients Family Fund for help with some costs, including food and travel. Details of the fund, including what is included and how to make a claim can be found at the Family Fund.
CHAI Benefits Service
The Community Help and Advice Initiative (CHAI) is a free service based at the RHCYP, offering independent and impartial advice to people on their income, welfare rights, debt and employment. CHAI is a registered Scottish charity providing advice to people affected by housing, debt and benefit issues in Edinburgh and Midlothian. We also specialise in homelessness prevention housing advice.
CHAI can help families with:
Kirsty Robertson, Welfare Adviser (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Tel: 07464 927716
Email: kirsty.robertson@chaiedinburgh.org.uk
- Benefit checks to maximise income and check benefit entitlement
- Making benefit applications for example for Universal Credit, Best Start Grants, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carer’s Allowance.
- Applying for emergency funding such as Crisis Grants
- Applying for Community Care Grants or charity grants to furnish a home
- Appealing any benefit decisions
- Housing issues including court and/or tribunal representation
- Employment issues
- Debt and money advice including help with budgeting
- Making referrals to other organisations for employability and support
