Disability related expenditure
The following information is for anyone receiving care and support in their own home.
Some people are required to pay towards their care and support. To see if someone does need to pay, they are asked to complete a financial assessment. The information from the assessment allows the council to determine if payment is required and if so, how much this will be.
Disability related expenses
You may have additional expenses that come from having a disability or long- term health condition. An expense is necessary if it is something that you need to pay for, rather than something you want to pay for.
As part of the financial assessment, information on any additional expenses you may have is requested. These additional expenses are referred to as disability related expenditure (DRE). Allowances for these additional expenses vary depending on the support a person needs to manage their long-term health condition or disability.
Disability-related expenses are considered when:
- the extra cost is needed to meet your specific need due to a medical condition or disability, as identified in your care and support assessment of needs; and
- the cost is reasonable and can be verified; and
- it is not reasonable for a lower cost or free alternative item or service to be used. If a lower cost alternative item or service could have been used, the expense considered in the assessment will be the lower cost
For example, if specialised shoes were something you needed and you could buy these for £60 but you had submitted a disability related expenditure claim for a pair you bought for £150, this cost would not be reasonable. However, the £60 would be allowed.
The following table shows further examples of disability related expenditure.
| Item | Amount | Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| Community alarm system eg.,Careline. | £16.33 per month, | Bills from or payments to provider ie. direct debit payment shown on bank statement. |
| Cleaning and gardening. | A maximum of 2 hours cleaning at £18.00 per hour each week. A maximum 1 hour gardening at £18.00 a week. | Evidence of payments to gardeners and cleaners such as invoices or receipts. |
| Additional laundry costs - ie. more than 4 loads of washing for one person a week. | £4.74 per week. | The care plan supports the need for additional laundry. |
| Special or additional clothing, or footwear. | Due to the varied needs of individuals the council will take a person centred approach to determine the costs allowed. | The care plan supports the need for additional costs. Receipts for replacement items. |
| Replacement bedding and mattress covers. | Due to the varied needs of individuals the council will take a person centred approach to determine the costs allowed. | The care plan supports the need for additional costs. Receipts for replacement items. |
| Extra transport costs above mobility allowance | Due to the varied needs of individuals the council will take a person centred approach to determine the costs allowed above the mobility component. | Reason why the amount you need is more than the benefit you receive. Receipts for payment. |
| Special dietary needs for a medical condition ie. coeliac disease. | On sight of receipts for dietary purchases the council will take a person centred approach to determine the costs allowed. | As informed by GP, dietician or health practitioner. Receipts for purchases. |
| Maintenance and service of wheelchair or mobility scooter. | Actual cost of maintenance and service charges. | Invoice or receipts for cost of maintenance and service or direct debit payments shown on bank statement. |
| Stair-lift, hoist and powered beds -maintenance and service charges. | Actual cost of maintenance and service charges. | Invoice or receipts for cost of maintenance and service or direct debit payments shown on bank statement. |
| Heating costs, electricity and gas. | Additional cost due to disability or long-term health condition. If you share your home with other adults only your proportion of the costs will be included. | Additional costs must be due to your long-term health condition. 12 months bills or invoices for utility costs. |
| Clubs and activities | Actual cost of the service. | The care plan supports the need for additional costs. Invoices or receipts for cost of services. |
| Chiropody | £6.65 per week | Invoices or receipts for cost of services. |
We look at all disability related expenditure (DRE) claims on an individual basis rather than taking a blanket approach. This means it is not possible to have a definitive list of DRE’s because each person is different and will have di fferent care needs and expenses. Your social worker will discuss with you your needs when planning or reviewing your support. This information will be included in your care and support plan that will be produced by your social worker. If you have a DRE that is not listed, you should still include it on your financial assessment along with evidence of payment.
Evidence
Evidence will be requested for your DRE. This is proof of the cost of these expenses such as bills, invoices or receipts, contracts, or bank statements. You may also be asked to provide the reason for the expense.
Only costs directly related to your disability or long-term health condition will be considered eligible. If you do not agree with any decisions made relating to the expenditure allowed, you are able to request a review.
If you are not currently able to provide evidence, we suggest you start keeping bills, invoices or receipts for these costs. When this information is provided the Council will be able to reassess your contributions.
Contact us
If you would like more information regarding disability related expenditure or the financial assessment
- Please contact the Financial Assessments Team on 01702 215008 option 2
- send us an email
Should you need any assistance with completing your financial assessment our visiting officer can meet with you either in your home or at the Civic Centre. If you would like to make an appointment with the visiting officer please call the Financial Assessment team on 01702 215008 and select option 2.