Social care minister, ensure direct payment charges are fair and realistic

For many disabled people across the country, direct payment is essential as they need assistants with everyday tasks such as reading and responding to post, filling in forms, making and attending appointments, weekly shopping, housework  and accessing community activities. However due to the cost of living crisis and the rise in direct payment contribution charges (upwards of £80 a week), many disabled people are struggling to afford the running of their homes and essential equipment that they need, (ventilators, wheelchairs etc). This is forcing sone disabled people to either not have the support they are entitled to, or go into debt, and leaves some with £140 a week to live on 

 

The current system of Disabled people being able to disregard ‘Disability Related Expenditure’ is inaccessible, unworkable and bureaucratic.  It creates a post code lottery, and disadvantages people with the most complex needs and those who are not able to independently advocate for their rights.  It also creates inequality between those Disabled people who do not receive social care support and are able to spend their extra costs benefits as they see fit, and those who do, as they have to prove and justify their extra costs to keep their money.   Extra costs disability benefits are considered as a protected income in most means-testing processes when determining eligibility for other public services.  We strongly believe that social care should not be an exception and benefits like PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance should be excluded from income for social care charging means-testing.