Help with Extra Costs for those with a Disability

[DisabilityCosts]

If you are basically able to work, albeit part time, and look after yourself, is there any help out there for costs associated with your disability.

Things like psychiatry, physio, medical devices??

A member of the family recently had an accident, and has been left with life changing disabilities, both physical and mental, but isn't so disabled as to be unable to look after themselves or cope with everyday tasks, they are just getting on with it. Therefore, I don't think they could get PIP, as they can function in the day to day, albeit with challenges, but the costs of rehabilitation to keep going is very high, very little being available on the NHS. Its going to be in the thousands.

Has anyone got any experience or advice.

The challenges are what PIP assessors need to know. I used to be able to stand a do a massive basket of ironing for example but now I can only do two items and then I have to stop because it’s not safe for me to continue. When you have a disability you find ways to adapt which is what they need to know. I’m sure some things they don’t do anymore because it’s easier not to as well as finding ways to complete other tasks.

Access to work can help with practical workplace support. SS may do an assessment for medical and practical aids at home. Physio and Psych is NHS or self funded unless part of the reablement/discharge package. Most areas do have a self referral process or via GP.

They should look into PIP. Even if they can undertake tasks themselves, they may still be eligible. For example, if they need aids to undertake tasks or if they can only do tasks but it takes them twice as long to do them and leaves them in extreme pain. They may also latter is because of the reliability criteria. That means you are only considered able to do something if you can do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and within a reasonable time period.

They should also check if they are eligible for ESA &/or UC. Depending on their hours and wages, they may still be eligible for these even if they work part-time.

Depending on their circumstances, they may be eligible for a band reduction on their council tax.

Depending on their finances, they may be eligible for council tax support/reduction.

If they need equipment/adaptations/aids, they can ask for an OT assessment to look at this.

If they need help/equipment at work, they can look at the Access to Work Scheme.

They may be able to self refer to NHS physio and mental health services. If they can’t, their GP will be able to refer.

I had an accident and a similar situation.

pip is pretty much all there is.

I was “lucky” and had accident insurance which paid out 20k.

i couldn’t walk at all after the accident and was in a lot of pain.

nhs provided 4 hours of physio.

nhs provided 3 hours of hydro therapy.

the 20k paid for a years hydrotherapy at 80 quid an hour once every two weeks plus a gym membership so I could do the exercises every couple of days.

i had physio weekly for about three years then had a break for a bit and now have a group physio class. Physio 60 quid an hour.

electric wheelchair 1k, crutches nhs gave me for free.

i self referred for counselling on the nhs and the referral was rejected as apparently “anyone would be anxious and depressed after an accident like mine”. Private CBT was 120 quid a session for 12 session.

the 20k pretty much covered the physio/hydro/wheelchairs etc.

nhs provided basically nothing.

Hi Octavia. Yes, this is pretty much the situation. NHS was a shambles, zero post operative support, the follow up rehab assessment still hasn't happened, four months after the injury and operation! We therefore arranged and paid for everything privately ££££££.

Thanks pps for advice, we may pursue PIP, but it seems pretty unlikely as there are no specific difficulties. I suppose it's the devil and the deep blue sea, in that of course life is difficult, but there's nothing really affected. Yes they are depressed, have PTSD, have chronic pain and fatigue, but...... none of these things actually stop them from working, or going out, or going to the gym etc.

They could just do with some financial support to pick up the gaps in rehab that the NHS doesn't provide.

Try PIP but if they don’t qualify there isn’t really anything else unless they have private health insurance which does usually cover costs for physio, therapy etc.