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[Rachelle]

Hi,

I've been a carer for about 6 years, ever since my mother had a debilitating stroke that knocked out her ability to speak or move around properly. My husband and I have been taking care of her ever since and she currently lives at home with us.

Anyway, since we moved to the UK (about 15 months ago), I've noticed lots of moneysaving situations that have come about due to mom's condition, so I'd like to share some of them with you, just in case you are unaware of these things......(Not all will be directly tied to disability, but I will list them nonetheless because they still have something to do with the fact my mum lives with us)

Events & Shows

Did you know that if you go to see a show at the theatre or to most events, you can get a heavily discounted ticket price for the wheelchair bound person and most places will also allow the accompanying person in at no extra charge! Even if this is not stated on the posters or ads, if you call them directly and ask, you may be pleasantly surprised.

For example, my husband and I took mum to see some fancy horse show last year and they charged mom half price, let me in for free and so we only had to pay full price for my husband's ticket! ;D

Utilities

After reading Martin's tips on switching providers, we did some research on what was available and after some calls, made the switch to STAYWARM, which started last month. It's a godsend because mom tends to leave the heater running day and night and so the charges can be quite exorbitant, but now, because STAYWARM offers a reasonable fixed price, things are much better now. Thing is, they accepted our application even though the property is not in mom's name. So, for those of you who have an elderly person living at home, this may well be worth looking into!

TV License
Again, because of mom, our tv license fee is free.

Disabled Parking Pass
We applied for this shortly after moving to our new home and it has really been very helpful, as there are so many benefits that come out of having this pass that I'm glad we got it!

---------------------------------

There are more services out there which help us with moneysaving but this is all I can think of at the moment.

If I come up with anything else, I will come back and list the rest.

I recently read that there are 6 million carers (stay at home/non-professionals) like me in the UK. So, if any of you know of good deals or bargains to be had for folks in our situation, please feel free to add them to this thread.

You never know, it might help somebody!

[Trix]

The carer of a disabled person can get in to UCI cinemas free - the disabled person pays normal price.

EDIT - The CEA card is now about the only accepted way of getting a carer in for free.

There are also other museums etc that do the same. It isn't always pointed out at cinemas and other attractions, but if you check their websites / phone them / ask when you arrive you will quite often find 'unadvertised' discounts.

[Rachelle]

Yay Trix!!! ;D

I didn't know that UCI Cinemas did that! Well, that's another one to go into my "Good Deals" handbook.

Anyway, that's EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Most of these 'benefits' are not advertised and many of us stumble upon them almost by accident. So, if anyone else knows of any such 'package deals' for us carers, please come forward.

I'll be back a little later, as I am still looking for the leaflet I found advertising a discount holiday resort for carers and carees (?). I will post the info as soon as I find the @#$%! thing....grrrrr. (Dawna Walters where are you?)

Keep those tips coming folks! (And thanks so very much in advance)

[Trix]

Eden project in Cornwall:

1 carer per disabled person admitted free

http://www.edenproject.com/visiting/324.html

A lot of swimming pools allow free entry for a carer with the disabled person (who usually get a reduced price). Check out details with your local one.

[Trix]

If you have a disabled / seriously ill child (eligibilty info on website) under the age of 16, the Family Fund http://www.familyfundtrust.org.uk/ provide grants for things like:
holidays (usually in the form of a cheque of £380ish), fridges or freezers, dishwashers, washing machines (you get a choice of a couple which are then delivered and the FF pay for most repairs), bedding and clothing (cheque again) driving lessons, specialist toys (we got £300 towards a £500 trike) and a few other things I can't remember at the minute but are listed on the website:

Quotes from website:

The Family Fund is an independent organisation, registered as a charity and funded by the national governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The Family Fund will consider helping families in as many ways as possible. However, where an item is the responsibility of a statutory agency such as the health authority, local government, social services, housing or education department we are unable to help.

They also have information about holidays, transport and benefits.

[Mancunian]

Thanks for the info Rachelle.

My mum is a carer for my brother but not heard about the free TV licence can you supply more info?

[lisyloo]

For anyone that goes across the Severn bridge, this is free (for the cwhole car) if you have a blue badge holder in the car (they do look at the photo and check the person is there).

[kabie]

For anyone buying a new car dealers offer dicounts to those getting DLA at the lower rate ie those ineligable for motability. Local dealers often aren't aware of this though, or pretend they're not! We got a 10% discount on the car and all factory fitted accessories with vauxhall. This was on top of the saving we got by bartering, the trade in value of our old car, the reduced rate because the car was on special offer and the 0% finance already being offered. I left it until after the final lowest price was negotiated before bringing up the extra 10% and since the local dealers claw back this saving anyhow the salesman couldn't start the sob story about his hungry wife and kids.
This probably isn't of much use to anyone but perhaps someone is about to buy a new car- never know.

[chaos2]

For the London Eye, if you are a carer than the disable person pay full price the carer goes for free.

When booking ticket mention this to them, it does not need to have a physical disabilities other disabilities ie, mental health etc..... is also included.

??
rachelle,please tell me how you got a free t.v. licence.i care for my 28 year old daughter who lives with me ,thanks von

Hi .....you have to be 75 years old to get free tv licence......

my son gets middle rate DLA. what proof do you have to offer? is it only for wheelchair users?

[Fran]

Jane, which question are you replying to?

Jus tlogged on and seen all this info. Sounds great but I too have a child who is on middle rate DLA and I get the corresponding carers allowance. What does this entitle me too? Oh, and by the way, she doesnt use a wheelchair. Is there anything that she can get etc. Would be grateful to find out......................

[Rachelle]

Hello,

Gosh, thanks for all the posts and tips! Keep 'em coming, please.

This is just a quick note to respond to Mancunian & Yvonne about the tv license question. As it's called a
"Free Over 75 TV License", it means, as someone mentioned earlier, that it's only available for folks that fit the age-bracket. It won't help you if the person you care for is younger. (Unless you have an elderly parent or grandparent living at the same address with you)

Don't despair though, because there's still lots of other stuff out there that will help in one way or another, as some of the above posts are testifying to! (Thank you and a great big smooch to all!) (Ewwww, yuck)

I have to go to a Carers Support Group meeting right now, but will post again later tonight. I found some some valuable travel info stashed away in my folder and will share some of that stuff with you later.

Before I go, I have a question. BBC once did a week long afternoon program about elderly care.....in one episode was a recreational facility (in the UK) aimed at senior citizens. What made it stand out was that it was very different from what you'd normally expect for places like that. Instead of bingo games and old wartime songs they showed wheelchair grannies being taken off-road driving and sliding with glee down a hill (with safety belts tightly strapped, of course) on wheelchairs instead of sleds!

What struck me was how happy all the old folks were, and I very much want to find out where this place is because I'd love to take my mum there. (I tried BBC's website but it's such a labyrinthian maze, I just got more and more lost!)

Does anyone know anything about a place like that? I'll love you forever if you can point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[Rachelle]

Here's some of the travel info I spoke about earlier. (Still haven't found the leaflet.) Most of these holiday organizations are registered charities or trusts. The contact details may be out of date as I got these several years ago, but you should be able to look up the various organizations in the phone book or through Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Some of these groups will even help pay towards the costs of the holiday, depending on what the carer's situation is. Of course, it is understood that these are outings for both, the carer and the person they look after.

3H Fund

147a Camden Road,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2RA
Tel: 07892 547474
Fax: 01892 524703
email: info@3hfund.org.uk

Holidays for physically disabled people and respite for carers. A group leader and nurse accompany each group. All holidays are for one week.

Holidays for Disabled People

PO Box 164, Totton,
Hants SO40 9WZ
Tel: 01252 332452
email: h4dp1@aol.com

Accompanied holidays with helpers, or holidaymakers can bring their own friends/escorts. Disabled people pay the cost of the holiday, volunteer helpers pay a minimum donation and the charity makes up the remainder.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

MS National Centre,
372 Edgware Road,
London NW2 6ND
Tel: 020 8438 0700
Fax: 080 8438 0701
email: info@mssociety.org.uk

Organises holidays for members. Accommodation in holiday homes and respite care centres across the country, available to people with MS and their families, partners and careers (see Adapted Accommodation in the UK)

Parkinson's Disease Society of the UK (PDS)

215 Vauxhall Bridge Road,
London SW1V 1EJ
Tel: 020 7931 8080
Helpline: 0808 800 0303
Fax: 020 7233 9908
email: enquires@parkinsons.org.uk

Holidays at centres run by the Winged Fellowship Trust (who hold up-to-date information). Details of respite care facilities, hotels, guest houses and centres which are suitable for people with Parkinson's, their carers and families.

Phab England

Summit House,
Wandle Road
Croydon CR0 1DF
Tel: 020 8667 9443
Fax: 020 8681 1399
email: info@phabengland.org.uk

Holidays and courses, organised by regional and country group, for disabled and able-bodied people of all ages.

[Rachelle]

For Louise Gallis, I'm not an expert on DLA as my mom doesn't have that one. At the moment, she's on Attendance Allowance & Pension Credit. Anyway, here is info on some of what you can get on the DLA.
--------------------------
If you get the higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance you will be eligible for:

Exemption from road tax
Blue Badge scheme
Motability
Driving licence at age 16
--------------------------

Also found this refreshingly outspoken view on the subject:

http://www.disabilityuk.com/masterpages/dla1a.htm

(Even if you are not dealing with disability as such, it might be worth your time to check out some of the other links on this website, as the info is quite comphrehensive in some areas that concern folks like us)

Hope this helps.

Hi

I too care for my disabled Mother.

I have just discovered that for specialist products for the disabled (mobility aids - shoes etc) we can claim the vat back.

See the cutoms & excise website for more details and the forms, which for a government body are not at all complicated.

to rachel and everyone,many thanks for all the info.will keep looking on the site for more thanks again yvonne my e mail address is vonny@speed-mail.co.uk if anyone wants to get in touch

[Rachelle]

Hi to Yvonne & Jane,

Thanks for the tips and for saying hello. Caring for an ill loved one is certainly not an easy task and can be very stressful at times, so please remember to take care of yourselves too.

Here are some of the best links I've found so far, covering topics related to UK Carers issues, including finances:

1. Princess Royal Trust For Carers (Excellent site!)

http://www.carers.org/


2. Information for Carers Nationwide & Regional:

http://www.carersonline.org.uk/


3.Department for Work and Pensions site covering,
amongst other things: Invalid Care Allowance /
Carers and benefits / Carers housing benefits / Home
responsibilities protection / Social
Fund and Help with health costs:

http://www.carers.gov.uk/zone3.htm


There's a lot of information here. If you still can't find what you're looking for after going through all this....
you'd better pack it in and move to Kalamazoo.

(I'm kidding, okay?)