Ask the Experts

Questions and answers

Q I receive the lower rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). I’m agoraphobic, so can’t seek help in person at an Advice Centre or similar. I need to know if I’m entitled to any other help than DLA, LHA, council tax benefit and Income Support. My Income Support is under appeal as I could not attend a medical examination as I can’t travel.
Name supplied, by email

Selina Mills and her team at CAB respond:
It seems that you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, based on your circumstances. There may be other types of help and support available from social services or the NHS for people with agoraphobia in your area. Were your DLA award increased so you got the middle rate care compenent, you might then get an additional amount of Income Support as you may qualify for the severe disability premium. There are, however, risks involved with asking for your DLA award to be increased, as the award could be reduced instead of increased. You should therefore try to get advice about the chances of success before asking for the award to be looked at again. If you don’t win your Income Support appeal, you may have to make a new claim for Employment and Support Allowance and may have a gap in your benefit payments. So we’d really encourage you to get advice from your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or other advice agency for help and support with the appeal and to advise you on your overall benefit entitlement. Some advice centres are able to give advice over the phone or make home visits. More advice and contact details for your local CAB can be found at www.adviceguide.org.uk. You can find the phone number for your local CAB and other advice agencies in the phone book. Aside from benefits and finance issues, it may also be well worth your while seeking advice and/or support from local health professionals in respect of other aspects of your agoraphobia.

Q I’m 64 years old, I’m very small, and l desperately need a new power wheelchair. I’ve had lots of people trying to get me one, but with no success. The only person who could help me wanted £8,000 for a bespoke one and as I’m self-funded I couldn’t afford this and, indeed, can't see why I should. I can’t be the only small person who uses a wheelchair. Do you know anyone who makes them?
Judy Smart MA, by email

Agnes Fletcher offers these suggestions:
Your query is really in two parts: (a) you need to access a small chair, and (b) you’re facing potentially large costs for getting one. Your first port of call, if you haven’t already tried it, should be your local NHS wheelchair service. You could also talk to your occupational therapist (if you don’t have one, you could ask for one via your local social services) or a physiotherapist. This may help you find a suitable supplier, to avoid the bespoke route, and may also provide an up-to-date assessment of any further financial support that you may be eligible for. It could be, for example, that you access other improvements, such as a Disabled Facilities Grant to make adaptations to your home. An occupational therapist can be the key to accessing such funding and support. Do you receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement? If so, the Government’s Motability scheme could help you get a new powered wheelchair. Around 470,000 disabled people pay their allowances to the Motability Scheme to meet the cost of having a car, powered wheelchair or scooter, through contract hire or hire purchase plans.

You have to give up that part of your DLA but Motability can help you find the right chair and also deal with insurance, extended warranty, 24-hour breakdown recovery service, servicing and repairs.

Of course, it’s likely that you’re already using your DLA to pay for other disability-related costs but you might want to consider whether you’d be better off making this arrangement – and regularly getting a new chair – or making a one-off payment to buy a chair on your own. Another possible route, if it seems you really have to go it alone on both funding and finding the right chair, could be asking the advice of Whizz-Kidz, a charity that specialises in chairs for disabled children. They have contacts with commercial companies that cater for smaller people.

While Disability Now can’t recommend particular companies, Whizz-Kidz does list some of the companies it works with around the country: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/gethelp/getequipment/equipmentsuppliers.

• Motability Tel: 0845 456 4566. www.Motability.co.uk

•• Whizz-KidzTel: 020 7233 6600 www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

THE EXPERTS

We have experts who can answer questions in many areas that matter to us.
Sexual & Personal issues: Simon Parritt, a counselling psychologist who has studied psychosexual therapy, was the only disabled director of the Association to Aid the Sexual and Personal Relationships of People with a Disability (SPOD).
Legal Matters: Douglas Joy, senior solicitor at the Disability Law Service, and his colleagues give advice on disability and the law.
Benefits and Debt issues: The Citizens Advice Bureau puts its expertise at our disposal to help you.
Technology and Internet: Léonie Watson from digital consultancy Nomensa is here to get you connected and keep you up and running.
Specialist or Adaptive Equipment: John Mandrak, for nearly 25 years a disability journalist and consultant, gives advice on the Disabled Living Foundation’s helpline.
Travel: Andy Wright is managing director of Accessible Travel, a specialist tour operator providing holidays for people with mobility impairments, and has huge experience in the travel trade.
Money management: David Clarke has spent 14 years in banking and has worked for three leading financial service providers. He is now a senior partner with Clydesdale Bank and his wealth of experience is all yours.
Access & the Environment: Agnes Fletcher is a disability trainer and consultant who can find solutions to access problems.
Property: Kate Sheehan is an independent occupational therapist with 20 years’ experience and a passionate interest in housing solutions for disabled people.
Motoring & Transport: Helen Smith of Mobilise steps outside her Disability Now column to answer your questions on car matters.