Paying for community care

Disability related expenses (DRE) are extra costs you may have to pay because of a disability which are not already being met by us. For example within your care and support plan.

DRE only relates to non-residential care and to people who have been assessed to contribute towards the cost of their care. 

If you are a self-funder, you will not be able to receive a DRE allowance as you have been assessed to pay the full cost of the care you receive.

How to we assess Disability Related Expenses

You are assessed by us allocating you to a band. Your band will be determined by the benefits you can claim due to your disability. And allowances for each band are shown below and reviewed annually as part of our Annual Statement.

Reviewing Your Disability-Related Expenditure (DRE) Allowance

If you have disability related expenses that you must pay. And these are higher than what someone without a disability would typically spend and higher than your current banded allowance, you can request a reassessment.

To support your review, you will need to provide four weeks’ worth of receipts for all expenses you want to be considered. If you have any monthly expenses, please provide three months’ worth of receipts instead. These will be assessed against the annual allowances set for each type of Disability Related Expense (DRE).

Please note that your newly assessed rate will apply even if it is lower than your previous banded amount. If you have already completed a DRE assessment, you must supply all relevant receipts again. Unless you ask to be placed on a banded rate instead.

Only expenses that are necessary and directly related to your disability can be considered. Any cost that is optional or paid for by personal choice cannot be included as disability-related expenditure.

You can request a review of your circumstances using our contact us form. 

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