In the second of an occasional blog series, Andy Roberts, parent of a student at The Fifth Trust, gives advice on the many areas where a person with a learning disability has specific rights and may be eligible for certain benefits. Benefits are there to help learning disabled people in daily living and also help prepare for the future.  There are entitlements which may be possible to claim from your local council:

Council Tax
Council Tax may be reduced if someone in the household has a learning disability, in particular:

• Anyone with a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning which is permanent and who has a statement from a medical practitioner confirming this and is entitled to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is disregarded for Council Tax.
• A carer may be disregarded if

– They provide care for at least 35 hours of a week on average

– Are resident in the same building

– Are not a partner of the person or parent if the person is under 18 years old

– Care for a person receiving either rate of PIP daily living component

If you qualify the Council Tax is reduced by one band; if it is Band A it is reduced by one sixth. It may also be possible to claim back for up to six years.

Housing adaptations
A disability reduction is also possible if any resident in the house is substantially and permanently disabled and one of these criteria is met:

• An additional bathroom or kitchen is needed by the disabled person
• There is a room (other than kitchen, bathroom or toilet) needed by and predominantly used by the person
• There is enough space in the house for the person to use a wheelchair indoors

The reduction may again be by a reduction in the Council Tax of one band and may be backdated for six years.

Water supplies
Don’t forget to apply for registration with your water supplier as a Priority Services Customer  – this ensures you are seen as a priority if there are issues of water supply, such as the delivery of bottles of water if the supplies are cut off and warning of any possible water supply disruption.

A claim for reduced costs can be made if there is a need for regular bathing of a person with disabilities.

Southern Water: southernwater.co.uk/priority-services
Call: 0800 027 0800
Email: heretohelp@southernwater.co.uk

Further help
Making an  application for these benefits can be complex and advice is available at The Fifth Trust Care and Share sessions for families/carers on the first Thursday of the month at the Vineyard Café. For more information, contact Andy Roberts on 07814 050536.