Disability Related Expenditure (DRE)
Families are telling us that the costs that their relatives incur due to their disability are increasing. This resource can be used to help make sure that these costs are being considered when your Local Authority calculate how much your relative contributes towards their care and support.
If you feel that your relative’s disability related costs have increased you can request a disability related expenditure assessment to update these costs. There is a template letter for this included in this resource.
Click here to read the resource
Information
This section contains resources about understanding and managing costs of living.
Mencap’s information and easy read guides
Mencap have a range of information including easy–read guides about getting help with the cost of living, advice on saving energy, and the Priority Services Register.
Learning Disability England’s cost of living hub
Learning Disability England hasprovided links to a range of resources to help with the cost of living written by their members and partners.
Contact’s cost of living advice
The charity Contact have a range of information on help with household bills, benefits, grants and managing debt.
Local Government Association’s cost of living hub
The Local Government Association (LGA) has developed a hub designed to share best practice. It outlines what action is already being taken by a number of local authorities to ease pressures caused by the increased cost of living.
Disability Cost of Living Payments easy read guide
An easy read resource is available to help explain Disability Cost of Living Payments which are available to some people who receive benefits.
Tips on Saving Money
This section contains resources which give tips on how to save money on household bills, food, energy and transport costs.
16 tips to save on your energy bills
Carers UK have collected tips to help save money on energy bills.
7 money-saving methods for reducing the cost of your broadband
Broadband Savvy have outlined seven methods you can use to save money on broadband, while still getting the digital connectivity you need at home.
Tips to save money (easy read guide)
Dimensions have produced an easy read guide of tips to save money on energy, food, transport and more.
Taking charge easy read guides and workshops
Community Integrated Care launched the Taking Charge campaign to help people who work in social care help the people support save money on energy bills.
Smart meters are for me
Speak Up has a video and an easy read guide on the benefits of having a smart meter.
Support and Advice
This section contains links to help you get in contact with expert advisers who can support you with concerns related to the costs of living.
Mencap cost of living advisers
Mencap have specialist Cost of Living Advisers as part of their Learning Disability Helpline. They can be contacted by phone or email, and provide advice specific to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Scope energy and water expert advisers
Scope have expert advisers who offer advice to disabled people to help them manage energy and water needs. Their telephone appointments can help talk you through understanding your bills, contacting your supplier and managing debt.
Sense Cost of Living Payments Information
The charity Sense has information about how to access help with the cost of living andexplains what cost of living payments you may be entitled to.