Cheaper GAS if Disabled person in the House?

BargainGalore

DLA does not pay for extra heating that is the whole point. Energy prices have rocketed, when you are ill, old, disabled you may need more heat, but the government have always people that are health or disability problems and only cared for those over a certain age whether they need the money or not

krisskross

BargainGalore wrote: »

DLA does not pay for extra heating that is the whole point. Energy prices have rocketed, when you are ill, old, disabled you may need more heat, but the government have always people that are health or disability problems and only cared for those over a certain age whether they need the money or not

But don't forget there is no assistance towards mobility once you hit 65. My husband has huge mobility issues secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, extensive heart disease and chronic lung disease. He also is diabetic with loss of sensation in feet etc.

I will happily swap our £250 a year WFA for the high rate mobility he would undoubtably receive if he was not just the wrong side of 65. Swings and roundabouts you see. So we also have to use our own money to pay for cabs etc. The cab fare to our nearest town is £24 return.

Antispam

But getting the annual bonus is not reliant on incapacity nor income

Once you are after 65 and assuming you are eligible there is Attendance Allowance

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10012442

krisskross wrote: »

But don't forget there is no assistance towards mobility once you hit 65. My husband has huge mobility issues secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, extensive heart disease and chronic lung disease. He also is diabetic with loss of sensation in feet etc.

I will happily swap our £250 a year WFA for the high rate mobility he would undoubtably receive if he was not just the wrong side of 65. Swings and roundabouts you see. So we also have to use our own money to pay for cabs etc. The cab fare to our nearest town is £24 return.

krisskross

Antispam wrote: »

Once you are after 65 and assuming you are eligible there is Attendance Allowance

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10012442

No mobility element in AA plus it is probably not going to be around for much longer.

The lowest rate of DLA care is about £18 a week. The WFA allowance is approx £5 a week. Sometimes I think people lose sight of just how much help they get and become greedy, wanting everyone else's bit as well.

Antispam

I dont dispute that all I am saying is that the annual bonus is not reliant on wealth, disability only age regardless of any other benefits you get

People who may be ill (long term), or have disability should be entitled to this annual bonus as its there to help with heating. This group may feel the cold as much as anyone over 65, but the government conveniently ignore this group

Can you not get transport in your area like dial a ride, in my area they do go into rural areas say 8 miles from town centre as I have helped on it in past and I do know many pensioners who use this heating bonus to buy luxury goods

krisskross wrote: »

No mobility element in AA plus it is probably not going to be around for much longer.

krisskross

Antispam wrote: »

I dont dispute that all I am saying is that the annual bonus is not reliant on wealth, disability only age regardless of any other benefits you get

People who may be ill (long term), or have disability should be entitled to this annual bonus as its there to help with heating. This group may feel the cold as much as anyone over 65, but the government conveniently ignore this group

Can you not get transport in your area like dial a ride, in my area they do go into rural areas say 8 miles from town centre as I have helped on it in past and I do know many pensioners who use this heating bonus to buy luxury goods

There is no dial a ride in our rural area.

The WFA is allied by age to the pension age as it is cheaper to pay this than to pay a decent Retirement pension. It is also much cheaper to pay something without any means testing invoved.

So what if pensioners use the WFA to buy the odd luxury? Ours simply goes into the general pot as we pay our fuel bills by DD every month. Couldn't therefore say specifically what we spend it on. It is just part of our yearly income.

Are you saying that no one receiving DLA has any luxury items? None of the money is spent on non essentials? The lowest care amount is over 3 times as much as the WFA, I know which I would rather have.

Antispam

I am not saying that I just said some use this money to buy luxuries, thats entirely up to them how they spend there money

But why the government exclude people with illness, disabilities, are they not in need too, because some damn well feel the cold as much as people over 65 due to there illness or disability

It is simply unfair

krisskross wrote: »

So what if pensioners use the WFA to buy the odd luxury? Ours simply goes into the general pot as we pay our fuel bills by DD every month. Couldn't therefore say specifically what we spend it on. It is just part of our yearly income.

Are you saying that no one receiving DLA has any luxury items? None of the money is spent on non essentials? The lowest care amount is over 3 times as much as the WFA, I know which I would rather have.

krisskross

Antispam wrote: »

But why the government exclude people with illness, disabilities, are they not in need too, because some damn well feel the cold as much as people over 65 due to there illness or disability

It is simply unfair

The government are not excluding them. They get that money plus more in another benefit. Called DLA which is for care needs which would be expected to include extra heating needs.

BargainGalore

Please show me relevant part of DLA that says it includes help with heating

From DLA web site

Disability Living Allowance - sometimes referred to as DLA - is a tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.

How much do you get?

Disability Living Allowance has two parts called 'components':

• a care component - if you need help looking after yourself or supervision to keep you safe
• a mobility component - if you can't walk or need help getting around

No mention of help with keeping warm

krisskross wrote: »

The government are not excluding them. They get that money plus more in another benefit. Called DLA which is for care needs which would be expected to include extra heating needs.

BargainGalore

If you get mobility component and have a car than all your money will be gone only thing left is care, that can be taken up easily with paying for help