Appendix 4 -Disability Related Expenditure (DRE)

Disability Related Expenditure means the additional costs that someone with a disability or long term health condition may incur as a result of their disability or condition. Although we usually check whether additional costs are covered in the care plan, DRE is not restricted to costs related to eligible needs.  DRE includes any additional costs incurred as a result of a disability or ongoing condition. 

In general, disability related expenses are considered when:

• the extra cost is needed to meet your specific need due to a medical condition or disability, as identified in your care and support assessment of needs; and
• the cost is reasonable and can be verified; and
• it is not reasonable for a lower cost or free alternative item or service to be used.  If a lower cost alternative item or service could have been used, the expense considered will be the lower cost

We want to see evidence of this by way of receipts, please have these ready for your assessment, or share copies in your postal assessment. 

Examples of DREs

DREs can include, but are not limited to:

We won’t consider costs for general items or services required for daily living and used by the general population.

If your DRE claim is refused, we will write to you and explain why we believe this cost shouldn’t be included as a disregard in your financial assessment. 

If you have any questions, please contact the number on top of your letter and a member of the Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) Team will be happy to help.