What extra help can I claim...?

Swindler

I have high rate mobility and care allowance.

I have heard you can claim for help in other things ie lowered water bills, cinema tickets, local health centre pass, council tax banding etc

Can anyone please list any more things that I could possibly claim for and be really helpful and post links


Thank you:beer:

emilyt

Depending where you are in the country.

Main ones for higher rate DLA listed below:

* entitlement to blue badge

* can apply for exemption from road tax

* can apply for warm front grants

* can apply showing your road tax exemption and proof of DLA for unlimited use of the M6 toll for about £15 admin charge (this seems to be a closely guarded secret!)

* I think you're exempt from congestion charge in London

* entitlement to the Motorbility scheme

It's also worth checking the disabled tax credits if you're working.

Warm front is a government scheme that gets you help with central heating costs. Also send out free energy saving lightbulbs.


IF you receive higher rate mobility and has a blue badge, this counts as "proof" of being registered disabled, although there isn't really such a thing, but it can get you lots of discounts, so it's worth asking. list of where people can take advantage of disabled concessions on days out?

London Dungeon
London Bridge Experience
London Eye
Tower Bridge (free for both!)


All with just a travel pass


Sealife at Blackpool tower
Eureka childrens Museum in Halifax
Chester Zoo
Football clubs also offer a similar deal worth asking
Chessington World of adventures
Longleat safari park
Alton Towers
Drayton Manor park

If you're in the Bedford area and like old aircraft, The Shuttleworth Collection have the carer-gets-in-free concession.
http://www.shuttleworth.org/

For anyone who likes going to the cinema (and is classed as disabled)you can get a cinema pass which allows you to get one ticket free ech time you go to see a film.
http://www.ceacard.co.uk/
Costs £5.50 and last 3 years so definitly worth it.

Often worth taking your D.L.A award notice as this usually is enough to allow you one free ticket. Also your blue badge.



You can also get a disabled railcard, should you so wish, which would give you 1/3 off rail travel for you and a carer.

I think there is also discounted travel schemes in London.

Higher rate DLA should allow you to get bus pass. Free transport on buses.

Also might get a coucil tax reduction.


Not just for peolpe who are claiming DLA but thought i would mention it anyway.Many Fire Brigades are currently offering free fire safety checks on your home. A uniformed officer can come to your home and advise you on how to keep yourself safe and make an escape plan. They can also fit you with free smoke alarms if necessary.

There's more info at:

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/hfra.php

Or call your local fire station and ask for a Home Fire Risk Assessment. Get the number from the phone book, though, you'll not be popular if you dial 999!

The numbers for UK stations are listed here:

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/information/ukfrs.php

The officers come with ID at a pre-arranged time...and have even been known to turn up in a fire engine! The do not come unannounced and will not ask you for any money

Can't think of anythig else at the moment.










There are sometimes subsidised taxi schemes.

Hope some of this helps!

Swindler

I have just been looking into the possible lowering of the council tax band for a disabled person.

It states

• your home has a room which is mainly used and needed by the disabled person
• your home has a second bathroom or kitchen which is used or needed by the disabled person
• a wheelchair is used in doors by the disabled person

my house is just a normal house, I live alone.
But I have been visited by OH and they have given me a bath board, additional banister rail to help in getting upstairs and handles to help me pull myself up from the toilet/hold onto when getting a shower.

Would I qualify for a council tax reduction, even though I am already getting a reduction for living alone?

Is it also true a disabled person may receive help with water and possibly electric/gas charges?

Thanks

asbestos2008

If you go on your water provider website, it will give you info on reduced water rates. Our water company will cap meter charges if you are on ceratin benefits and have a disability that requires a higher water useage. It only applies if you are on a water meter.

I dont think gas & elec companies offer this type of service

HTH

mazza111

Contact your local council with regards to the health centre, In Lanarkshire, a disabled person get's in for half price and their carer gets in for free. Same with cinema tickets, but you have to contact them and ask b4hand. Sometimes their is a small fee for this, think it's £2 every 2 yrs or something like that, well worth it if it's something you are going to use on a regular basis.

zzzLazyDaisy

Swindler wrote: »

Imy house is just a normal house, I live alone.
But I have been visited by OH and they have given me a bath board, additional banister rail to help in getting upstairs and handles to help me pull myself up from the toilet/hold onto when getting a shower.

Would I qualify for a council tax reduction, even though I am already getting a reduction for living alone?
Thanks

It is unlikely - as I understand it, the bathroom has to be an extra room specially adapted for the disabled person. If you live alone, you'll adapt your main bathroom if necessary, so the extra room is irrelevant (I am in the same position, and that is what I was told). However, the only people who can tell you definitely are your local council, so it is probably worth a telephone call.

mealone

Swindler wrote: »

I have just been looking into the possible lowering of the council tax band for a disabled person.

It states

• your home has a room which is mainly used and needed by the disabled person
• your home has a second bathroom or kitchen which is used or needed by the disabled person
• a wheelchair is used in doors by the disabled person

my house is just a normal house, I live alone.
But I have been visited by OH and they have given me a bath board, additional banister rail to help in getting upstairs and handles to help me pull myself up from the toilet/hold onto when getting a shower.

Would I qualify for a council tax reduction, even though I am already getting a reduction for living alone?

Is it also true a disabled person may receive help with water and possibly electric/gas charges?

Thanks

I have the band reduction because I am a full time wheelchir user and the council do investigate all CT lowering claims before its awarded and they also have the right to pop in and check that things are just the same.

From what you say you wont get a reduction because you dont have two kitchens/bathrooms or live in a wheelchair assessible house which means that every room has space to wheel around the room freely.