How we look at your money

We will ignore your savings and investments if they are £14,250 or less.                               

If your capital is between £14,250 and £23,250, you may still qualify for help to pay but we'll take this money into account when we work out what you can afford.       

If you have more than £23,250 in capital, you will pay for your care and support services yourself at the standard council costs.

We will ignore things like:                               

• earnings
• War Disability Pension
• War Widows Pension
• Working Tax Credit
• Savings Credit (Pension Credit)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component
• War Widows Supplementary Pension
• Guaranteed Income Payments from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Armed Forces Independence Payment for mobility
• student finance

We will count:                               

• occupational pension or private pension
• State Pension
• Guarantee Credit (Pension Credit)
• Income Support
• Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component
• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendant Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Universal Credit

If you qualify for any of these benefits but choose not to claim them, we still have to include the money you would get if you did claim. It's important you claim the benefits you're entitled to. Check your eligibility using a benefits calculator.                               

You can tell the person who does your financial assessment about anything you think might be a DRE. We will consider any reasonable requests. There is no complete list of DREs because we look at each person's needs as an individual.     

Here are some examples to give you an idea.      

Household costs such as:     

• cleaner
• excess household energy costs
• gardener
• excess laundry costs

Travel costs such as:     

• public transport
• travel to and from respite care
• shopping
• taxis for essential journeys

Transport costs will only qualify if they cost more than any mobility benefit payments you get.      

Mobility equipment costs such as:     

• adaptations
• bath or shower
• powered bed
• hoist
• stair lift
• walking aid or wheelchair
• specialist equipment
• Telecare equipment monitoring costs

Personal care costs such as:                               

• clothing and specialist footwear
• hair washing (not cutting or styling)
• chiropodist

If we can find these goods or services at a lower price, we’ll take into account the lower price instead of the amount you pay. Even if you have already spent the money. We will also give advice on how to find better prices.

You will need to give us proof of your disability related expenses, from at least the last four weeks.                              

Receipts and bills must show the name and address of the person or company providing you with the services or equipment.                               

We may need to contact the person or company who are providing the services to you. This is to make sure they have fully declared the money you pay them in their taxes.