Disability Related Expenses (DRE) - Top Tips

1. Introduction: Why Understanding Disability Related Expenses Matters

Many people don’t realise the full scope of the disability-related expenses they can claim for, as part of their financial assessment. Understanding disability-related expenses is crucial for both individuals receiving care and their carers, because it enables better financial planning and helps to reduce the stress that comes with unexpected costs.

Moreover, the Council often fails to discuss the complexities of disability-related expenses in sufficient detail. For example, many don’t realise that additional utility costs—due to extra heating or running equipment— can be claimed as DRE.

The more a service user (successfully) claims as DRE, the less they will have to contribute to the cost of their care package.

This blog is designed to shine a light on those often-forgotten costs and to help you navigate the complexities of disability-related expenses. By understanding what you’re entitled to, you’ll be better equipped to reduce the contribution you have to pay towards your care fees.

2. What Are Disability Related Expenses?

Where disability-related benefits are taken into account, the local authority should make an assessment and allow the service user to keep enough of their benefits to pay for necessary disability-related expenditure that meet any needs that are not being met by the local authority.

DRE applies to the following benefits:

·       Attendance Allowance (AA)

·       Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component

·       Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component.

Disability related expenses (DRE) are extra costs that a person has to pay for, because of their disability. Often, these expenses are so part of daily life that they become invisible, and people may not even realise they are entitled to claim for these, as part of the financial assessment. As a carer, or someone with a disability, it’s crucial to understand what these costs include, so you can reduce the contribution you have to pay the Council for your care, you can manage your finances more effectively, and can ensure you’re not carrying a heavier burden than necessary.

The key difference between disability-related expenses and general living costs is that they are directly linked to the person’s specific needs caused by their disability. The following is a list of disability-related expenditure that local authorities should include, as part of your financial assessment. However, it should also be noted that this list is not intended to be exhaustive and any reasonable additional costs directly related to a person’s disability should be included:

(a) payment for any community alarm system

(b) costs of any privately arranged care services required, including respite care

(c) costs of any specialist items needed to meet the person’s disability needs, for example:

• Day or night care which is not being arranged by the local authority

• specialist washing powders or laundry

• additional costs of special dietary needs due to illness or disability (the person may be asked for permission to approach their GP in cases of doubt)

• special clothing or footwear, for example, where this needs to be specially made; or additional wear and tear to clothing and footwear caused by disability

• additional costs of bedding, for example, because of incontinence

• any heating costs, or metered costs of water, above the average levels for the area and housing type occasioned by age, medical condition or disability

• reasonable costs of basic garden maintenance, cleaning, or domestic help, if necessitated by the individual’s disability and not met by social services

• purchase, maintenance, and repair of disability-related equipment, including equipment or transport needed to enter or remain in work; this may include IT costs, where necessitated by the disability; reasonable hire costs of equipment may be included, if due to waiting for supply of equipment from the local council

• personal assistance costs, including any household or other necessary costs arising for the person

• internet access for example for blind and partially sighted people

• other transport costs necessitated by illness or disability, including costs of transport to day centres, over and above the mobility component of DLA or PIP, if in payment and available for these costs. In some cases, it may be reasonable for a council not to take account of claimed transport costs – if, for example, a suitable, cheaper form of transport, for example, council-provided transport to day centres is available, but has not been used

• in other cases, it may be reasonable for a council not to allow for items where a reasonable alternative is available at lesser cost. For example, a council might adopt a policy not to allow for the private purchase cost of continence pads, where these are available from the NHS

Other costs may also be accepted, such as some medication and health-related purchases, or massage/physio/osteopath/acupuncture/chiropractor treatments etc. In line with the guidance, the local authority should take a flexible approach and always consider individual circumstances.

Top Tips on Disability Related Expenses

1. Keep Detailed Records of All Expenses and Claims

The Local Authority will always ask for evidence of the disability related expenses you have. Therefore, always try to keep detailed, accurate records of every cost you incur. Whether it’s for personal care services, mobility aids, or increased utility bills. This will help you argue that you have additional expenses, and how much the Council should treat as DRE. If you're unsure how to start, please give us a call, as we specialise in supporting people with disabilities and carers.

2. Ask the Local Authority for their charging policy

The Charging Policy should contain information about disability-related expenses; this may also be already available on their website.  

3. Challenge the Local Authority when needed

If the Local Authority does not agree to some of the Disability Related Expenses you are claiming, ask them to explain (for each) why they do not accept it. Once you have received that information, feel free to give us a call so we can go through the list, review the Council’s arguments together, and build a strong case to challenge the Council. Getting the Council to accept more of your expenses as DRE can have a significant beneficial financial impact for you in the short, medium and long terms.