Disability-related expenses

The financial assessment for care and support in the community also looks at extra costs you may have because of your disability or medical condition. These are called disability-related expenses.
These expenses are not limited to what is in your care and support plan. For example, we can consider your heating costs if they are higher than average because of your disability.

We can consider your disability-related expenses if the expense relates to an item or service that:

• you need because of your disability or illness;
• cannot be provided at a lower cost or free by another organisation;
• costs more than a person without a disability or medical condition would have to pay for the same item or service;
• is not provided as part of your funded social care or by another part of the county council, for example a Blue Badge; or
• is not something the NHS should pay for. Examples of things the NHS may pay for include chiropody, physiotherapy, nutritional supplements, some items of equipment and travel expenses for medical appointments.

Examples of disability-related expenses we can consider

Community alarms

The amount you pay for the alarm, unless this is paid for through your Housing Benefit.

Special clothing or footwear

Clothing or footwear you need because of your disability or condition.

Extra bedding

If you need to replace your bedding frequently because of your disability or condition (for example, incontinence or a skin or other relevant health condition).

Basic garden maintenance

Maintaining your garden to a basic safe standard (for example, cutting the lawn, pruning, and clearing the path).

Specialist washing powders or laundry services

If you have to do more laundry (for example, because of incontinence or risk of infection).

Buying, repairing and maintaining disability equipment

The costs of buying, servicing or repairing disability equipment that you have bought privately (but not costs relating to any equipment that could have been provided for free or through a grant).

Domestic cleaning

If this is essential to your general health and wellbeing.

Personal assistants

If the costs are in addition to those already provided as part of your funded support.

Transport

We will consider costs on a case-by-case basis.
Usual transport costs should be met through your Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (mobility component) and through any travel concessions, such as a bus pass.

We will not consider transport costs if you have use of a Motability vehicle but choose not to use it.

Heating your home

This might be because you need to keep your heating on for longer periods or at a higher temperature (for example, if you need 24-hour support from carers in your home, which means you have your heating on during the day and night).

You will need to show us your bills and explain how your illness or disability affects the amount of energy you use.

Other expenses

For example, internet costs if you use the internet for a purpose that is related to your disability, such as monitoring your safety or for accessibility.

You will need to tell us about each disability-related expense you want to claim for. We understand that you may not be able to provide evidence of all your disability-related expenses but, if possible, please provide us with copies of receipts and invoices.