What expenses are disability benefits mean to cover?

bestpud

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

The normal run of the mill vehicles can be cheaper.

If you need more space - for a wheelchair or scooter, for example, the advance payments are hefty.

You can get a small vehicle for the cost of the £45 per week DLA mobility. Which is fine if that is okay for the condition.

As I posted above , for a Citroen Picasso or a Renault Scenic, with more space - the advance payments start at over £1K and up.

For someone who is not working any longer and having only a minimal income, that is out of the question. Yes, it is fine for those people who are still able to work and have DLA, but not for others.

Thanks for explaining.

So the people with the biggest mobility problems effectively get the less help - that would be right!!!

Cute_'n'_Quirky

minimadtrix wrote: »

And there's me thinking Lincolnshire was bad! Unfortunately my husband needs to make lots of trips to hospital as well. This is a 50 mile round trip and sometimes he needs to take the free transport (yes he can drive himself, but some treatment leaves him unable to do so). He sent out at 7.30 in the morning and, after 2 wonderful sight seeing trips around the countryside, returns home around 6.30.

I would take him, but I work. So we are very grateful for what is offered by a cash-strapped PCT. It's a shame some others don't think the same way.

When someone is ill they cannot be doing with the scenic route!

The volunteer drivers get a fair amount per mile - don't know what it is right now - I only know that they used to pay 50p per mile going back 5 years.

minimadtrix

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

When someone is ill they cannot be doing with the scenic route!

The volunteer drivers get a fair amount per mile - don't know what it is right now - I only know that they used to pay 50p per mile going back 5 years.

My husband is not ill - he has a serious back injury. The lumps and bumps on the route do not do him any favours, but needs must - the joys of hospitals being shut down eh?

But back to the matter in hand, as I said, if you're struggling with money, then you have to look at the alternatives. My original post was a helpful post for those who want to know about it. It's not an attack, just like everyone else on this site, trying to help those in need!

bestpud

minimadtrix wrote: »

And there's me thinking Lincolnshire was bad! Unfortunately my husband needs to make lots of trips to hospital as well. This is a 50 mile round trip and sometimes he needs to take the free transport (yes he can drive himself, but some treatment leaves him unable to do so). He sent out at 7.30 in the morning and, after 2 wonderful sight seeing trips around the countryside, returns home around 6.30.

I would take him, but I work. So we are very grateful for what is offered by a cash-strapped PCT. It's a shame some others don't think the same way.

My mil lives in a rural area and uses the local scheme here too. It's far from perfect but, as with your OH, it's easier than trying to drive herself or get someone else to do so when she can't. She's happy it exists too.

Although, while she could get it free for the cancer treatment she had several years ago, and can still get it for the annual check ups, she can't get it free to go for her orthopedic outpatient appointments!!! Seems a bit odd as this is what causes her to need an automatic car and is also why she has now been awarded a blue badge. At least that was how it was last year - will have to ask her if it's the same now. Can't remember what she paid but it was still a lot cheaper than taking herself.

Hapless_2

bestpud wrote: »

Don't take this the wrong way, but why do people have motability cars if they are not cheaper? £16000 would buy a lot of car. Of course there would still be monthly running costs though.

I think I must be missing something here as if it is that big a rip off, how is it still going?

I'm puzzled!!!

To get the ideal vehicle would require a minibus with a disabled wheelchair lift, hence the high advance payment, plus all 6 of us would have to travel to pick it up and there are NO motability minibus coachworks in Devon, we were told we would have to go to Manchester if we wanted one. I would have to be there to sign, hubby to drive it back, and the 4 kids because there is no one to leave them with (neither of us have family).

Some people have disability cars because there is no choice, who gives car credit to the disabled that do not work apart from the loan sharks?
Where we live is a 2.5 hr bus journey to the nearest hospital and train station try doing that with a son who has aspergers and screams on the bus non stop. No ambulance transport is going to take patient, carer and rest of family. If you dial 999 here you get a helicopter not an ambulance, if you are lucky!For most disabled people the car is a lifeline, just a shame with petrol and diesel where we are being £1 a litre we can't afford to go anywhere!

bestpud

Hapless wrote: »

To get the ideal vehicle would require a minibus with a disabled wheelchair lift, hence the high advance payment, plus all 6 of us would have to travel to pick it up and there are NO motability minibus coachworks in Devon, we were told we would have to go to Manchester if we wanted one. I would have to be there to sign, hubby to drive it back, and the 4 kids because there is no one to leave them with (neither of us have family).

Some people have disability cars because there is no choice, who gives car credit to the disabled that do not work apart from the loan sharks?
Where we live is a 2.5 hr bus journey to the nearest hospital and train station try doing that with a son who has aspergers and screams on the bus non stop. No ambulance transport is going to take patient, carer and rest of family. If you dial 999 here you get a helicopter not an ambulance, if you are lucky!For most disabled people the car is a lifeline, just a shame with petrol and diesel where we are being £1 a litre we can't afford to go anywhere!

I don't know how much it would cost to buy and older car and have it converted? You have obviously decided you can make cheaper arrangements and if motability cars are that expensive then I imagine many others will be able to as well. But, as you say, for many people with disabilities this scheme is a cheaper way to obtain and run a car, and rightly so imo.

Lots of us can't get credit, even when we work, because so many families now rely on tax credits and those aren't counted as 'income'. A lot of people also rely on cars, including pensioners in rural areas, and they cannot get credit either. The credit union is fantastic for people in this situation - do you have one in your area as they may be worth checking out?

I think to be fair, your circumstances are quite extreme though! Just having 4 children and living in a very remote area would cause you some difficulties even without the other factors involved. That isn't a criticism btw!

But back to the parking issue - there are also many others who have to make regular hospital visits and struggle to pay for parking/petrol etc. I think hospitals (and the people who argue about parking charges) need to recognise patients as patients, rather than focusing on the needs of one group only. Some people with motability cars and blue badges are obviously better off than others, as are some regular patients better off than others. ALL patients should have free parking, not just those with recognised disabilities imo.

ohreally

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

As always, your posts are nonsense.

For that, i will be forever in your debt.

I can only but assume you decided to take matters to a personal level as a nerve of the raw variety was touched.

donnalove

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

When someone is ill they cannot be doing with the scenic route!

The volunteer drivers get a fair amount per mile - don't know what it is right now - I only know that they used to pay 50p per mile going back 5 years.

We volunteer drivers get 40p a mile for first 10,000 then 25p per mile there after 5 years ago our trust was paying about 32p a mile.so not such a fair amount as you might think.


oh and just for the record if we go over 10,000 at 40p then gorden brown steps in.


donnalove

Penny-Pincher!!

Personally, I have found some of the most recent comments quite offensive!

There are always people worse off than ourselves. Sure, we would all like more money to cover our care needs but even if we did, would we not be moaning about something else?

Most weeks I am at the hospital anything from 2-10+ times and I have to travel to inner London to see my other consultants every other week. I have never claimed parking costs but I do claim back the petrol costs. When I go to my local hospital (about 2 miles away) I get £3.50, but when I go to Kings College in London (about 9 miles away), I get £2.76...it just doesnt make any sense

PP
xx

bestpud

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Personally, I have found some of the most recent comments quite offensive!

There are always people worse off than ourselves. Sure, we would all like more money to cover our care needs but even if we did, would we not be moaning about something else?

Most weeks I am at the hospital anything from 2-10+ times and I have to travel to inner London to see my other consultants every other week. I have never claimed parking costs but I do claim back the petrol costs. When I go to my local hospital (about 2 miles away) I get £3.50, but when I go to Kings College in London (about 9 miles away), I get £2.76...it just doesnt make any sense

PP
xx

Not sure which posts you mean but I don't think I've said anything offensive. Certainly didn't intend to.

But anyway, re parking charges: I don't think you should have to pay for parking when you visit the hospital! I don't know what your financial circumstances are but I know I would really struggle to pay out as much as you must have to in parking charges. It's around £3 at my hopspital to park for a couple of hours!!!

Yes, there are always people worse off than others, but that doesn't justify people having to pay such hefty parking charges just to keep themselves well! Where would we stop if we applied that attitude to everything?

This thread has made me even more sure that hospital parking should be free for patients (and certain visitors), not just people with disabilities, or those on income support. For as long as we have free health care, we should have equal access for all!