18.1 Annex A: disability related expenditure guide
If you receive Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance an allowance is made in your non-residential financial assessment for additional expenses due to disability or medical condition. The Council apply a standard allowance as shown in the Financial Assessment Allowances above unless you request the Social Worker carry out a full assessment of your disability-related expenses.
This guide sets out the standard or maximum allowances the Council use for a range of disability related expenses, if that extra cost is incurred and is needed to meet your specific need due to a medical condition or disability, as identified in your care and support assessment.
If you have one or more of the expenses listed the Council will usually allow the actual amount you spend up to the maximum amount indicated. The Council will only consider a higher allowance in exceptional circumstances.
Costs for disability related services that support the whole household (like a cleaner) will be shared equally between all adults in the household (unless you have a good reason for us to consider a different way of sharing costs).
Where a service or item is made up of different elements the Council will only consider costs for the part(s) that meet a disability related need.
Allowances for the maintenance of special equipment needed due to a disability or condition will be based on the conformation in your care plan that the equipment is required to meet your identified needs.
You must keep bills, invoices and statements to support your claim for disability related expenses. If you can’t produce this evidence the Council will use our discretion to decide if your claim is reasonable.
| Disability-related expense item | Amount considered in assessment | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|
| Community Alarm System | Actual cost paid unless included in Housing Benefit award | Bills from provider or regular entries on bank statements |
| Private domestic help - where Adult Care assessment confirms this is necessary due to disability or medical condition and is not provided through Council-arranged support. | Actual cost where this is part of the care plan, but the amount is reasonable and necessary for their care and support proportionately divided by the number of other adult household members. | Bills/receipts from provider for at least 4 weeks |
| Additional laundry and replacement bedding costs (where more than 4 loads washing/week needed due to incontinence or other disability-related/medical reason) | A maximum amount of £6.00 per week. | Adult Care assessment confirms incontinence or other condition requiring need for additional laundry and more frequent replacement of bedding. |
| Maintenance or repair of equipment (if not maintained by adult care) (such as stair lift maintenance) | Where possible equipment should be sourced from B&NES Community Equipment Service. A reasonable additional amount may be included, calculated as a weekly amount. At the discretion of Adult Social Care and with confirmation by Occupational health. | 4 weeks of receipts / invoices and/or contract for supply and maintenance. |
| Specialist clothing and Footwear and replacements Due to wear and tear. | Reasonable amount based on the care plan and subject to the discretion of the Council. | Receipts / bank statements |
| Additional heating allowance | Actual gas and electricity paid over one year minus the average amount annually.
Flat/Terrace Semi-detached Detached |
Bills from provider |
Other disability related expenses may be allowed with good reason and proof of costs, subject to the care plan confirming the expense is related to disability.
Continence products are not considered a disability related expense as products are available through the NHS/CCG free of charge.
We won’t consider costs incurred for:
- General items or services required for daily living used by the general population
- Garden maintenance, chiropody and basic domestic tasks.
- Privately arranged care and support
- Medical prescriptions and chemist items
- Equipment – this is available through community equipment
- Any item or service met by a payment from a Grant (e.g. Disability Facilities Grant) or where another funding source has been provided
- The difference between the actual cost and a lower cost alternative where we consider it was reasonable for a lower cost alternative;
- Structural or landscaping work (e.g. tree surgery, path laying or re-laying) in gardens or to buildings unless;
- Disabled Facilities Grant contributions apply in respect of the works carried out
- Any works to help prevent falls (e.g. installing handrails or repairing footpath)
- The modifications to the garden or building are essential for you to be able to use/store securely scooter or wheelchair that you need to use, or to provide secure storage for a scooter and the facility is used as such. In this case, the amount will be calculated as if the modifications were equipment with a suitable life span applied.