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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

DLA & Other benefits

48 replies

Raine3 · 08/08/2008 10:55

I have just read on www.parentscentre.gov.uk that if you get full DLA you are entitled to free car tax ??? ..... and that you can get up to £60 off your gas/elec winter bill if a member of your household is on full DLA - 0845 601 2006 ... got to be worth looking into

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Nat1H · 10/08/2008 23:26

we got the warmfront grant - even though it is my child who receives DLA.

Original poster

Raine3 · 10/08/2008 23:29

I'm on a roll now ...

Disabled Facilities Grant - www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople Local council grant to help towards the cost of adapting homes. Must be applied for BEFORE any work is commenced. OT assessment is required to assess need and identify the work needed. If you have the involvement of a Care Manager they need to request an assessment, if not you can request an assessment by telephoning the Council Contact Centre directly - 01744 456600. flowchart on the Grant process - this shows steps to be taken to make application for grant

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Original poster

Raine3 · 10/08/2008 23:30

Warm Front Grants - 0800 316 6011 - www.eaga.co.uk - Targeted at people most at risk, i.e. elderly, chronically sick, disabled. Grants available for insulation, central heating. Grants available up to £ 2700. To qualify, householder must own their home or rent it from a private landlord and must receive certain benefits - DLA, AA, Income Support (with a disability premium) etc - see website for full list

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Nat1H · 10/08/2008 23:34

DFG's are a NIGHTMARE!!!!

Original poster

Raine3 · 10/08/2008 23:48

lol .... so I see from other posts! seems that 2-3 years is a good evaluation of timescale.

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Original poster

Raine3 · 10/08/2008 23:49

I might try for the warm front and the water rates reduction ... social tariff I think it was called

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Graciefer · 11/08/2008 13:32

I called British Gas today, to enquire about their social tariff.

Their social tariff is called 'Essentials' and all those who were registered for their winter rebate scheme, should have automatically been put on it. However that isn't always the case, as I wasn't moved over.

I have now registered for 'Essentials', they have told me it will take 6-8 weeks to process, but will be back dated to todays date.

From what I understand, this tariff is the same price as if you were paying by direct debit (which I am), so no savings for me there, however I was told that it is a fixed rate until April 2009, so won't be affected by the coming price increases.

If this is indeed true, it will certainly help out over this winter.

I will report back when I get more information through the post.

Graciefer · 11/08/2008 14:10

Thought I would give my electricity supplier a call, to see if they offer a social tariff.

I am with EDF Energy (formally SWEB) and have just been put on to their 'Energy Assist' tariff, which offers a 15% savings, compared to their standard tariff (which I was on).

I have been transfered onto the 'Energy Assist' tariff after my phone call and they are sending me out forms to complete, which I assume will be a proof of entitlement type letter.

Hope this may help someone else, if you are not with EDF, it may be worth calling your supplier and asking.

Original poster

Raine3 · 11/08/2008 15:29

I just rang EDF but they said you can only get it if you receive certain benefits .... but she did give me a number for ...

Welfare Rights Benefits Line 0800 072 9006

and according to 'Tony' we should get a reduction in council tax and some housing benefit (towards the rent) and he will send out a letter explaining what we are entitled to and why ... so it might be worth a call.

I also found out that you can only get the water 'social tariff' if you are on a meter and I think she said (Anglian Water) that it is then capped at £380 a year.

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Original poster

Raine3 · 11/08/2008 15:31

He also mentioned the warm front grant as well.

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Graciefer · 11/08/2008 15:38

We are on a water meter and with South West water.

Their social tariff is called 'Watersure' and it is capped at £497 a year.

I was paying over £100 a month previously with the water meter, so this has meant huge savings for me.

Original poster

Raine3 · 11/08/2008 15:44

£100 a month ... that's criminal ! ours is a standard tariff at about £400 a year ... and there is no way I'm having a meter !!!!

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Graciefer · 31/12/2008 18:14

Just wanted to give this a bit of an update and a bump.

I had my gas bill last week and I noticed that I hadn't been put on the Essentials tariff like I was told I would be on Aug 11th.

I phoned up to complain and say I would like to be put on it and for it to be back dated to this date.

Today I received an updated bill and to my surprise, moving to the Essentials tariff took £120 off of my bill!

So if you are with British Gas and you haven't already checked out the Essentials tariff, you may be able to save yourself some money.

misscutandstick · 31/12/2008 18:53

just checked out the 'cold weather payments' section on direct.gov.uk and it says that you get the cold weather payment if: A) you get income support, AND with a B) child disability premium/ disability premium AND C) it IS or IS FORECAST to be an average of zero celcius or below for 7 consecutive days or more (not sure if thats one payment for EACH 7 days, or one for each spell of 7days or more IE if it goes on for 14days is that 2 payments or 1?) but it has just gone up to £25. It should be paid automatically.

misscutandstick · 31/12/2008 18:54

sorry should have said "income support OR JSA" not just income support.

cherryontopofthexmastree · 31/12/2008 19:08

raine3- the link doesnt work. i have the website up and the page about winter fuel rebates but cant find the list you mentioned

used2bthin · 31/12/2008 21:51

Can someone explain the cold weather payment please? I am with EON and they told me I wasn't entitled to any help other than the insulation thing which wouldnt help anyway as I am renting. DD gets high rate DLA and I get carers allowance. Also am a single parent if that makes a difference.

thebellsthebells · 01/01/2009 00:55

If you have someone in your household who is registered blind you will recieve a reduction in your tv license just contact the licensing peopl direct you have to send them your registered blind card which they return. Happy New year

sarah293 · 01/01/2009 09:26

This reply has been deleted

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misscutandstick · 01/01/2009 12:04

The cold weather payment is a government thing, direct gov page here expains it

but most fuel companies will offer a discount to those with DLA, but you have to ring your fuel company and ask.

misscutandstick · 01/01/2009 12:08

I understood it to mean that an average is taken, and if its 0c or below then the payment is sent out. so a -4c at night would bring down the average even if during the day it was 2c. but you are right, they will probably wriggle out of it if they can.

incidentally the £60 has been confirmed: on this page

sarah293 · 01/01/2009 12:22

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Message withdrawn

Blossomhill · 01/01/2009 16:59

Just rang EON and they offer a discount have to ring back tomorrow when the team are available.

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