Angela Gifford
Managing Director of
Able Community Care
01603 764567
Able Community Care has been in the same family for nearly four decades and now provides live-in care services throughout the UK. Since 1980 we have provided care and have met with thousands of families who are seeking an alternative to moving into a residential care home. Meeting people inevitably leads, either at the time of an assessment or even years later, to questions for which people are looking for answers.
Information around all aspects of care is available but the road to finding out, especially at a time of crisis, about specific factors can be difficult and stressful. Able Community Care receives calls and emails on a regular basis with people asking if we can help with their search for information.
Recently these questions have been asked of us…
Angela Gifford, Managing Director of Able Community Care answers your questions…
Question: I am disabled and I believe I can make some purchases VAT free. What are they and what do I have to show to prove my status?
Answer: The following are VAT free for people with a disability:
• medical and surgical appliances
• wheelchairs and mobility scooters
• equipment to aid the hard of hearing, and low vision aids
• specialist beds, chair and stair lifts, rise and recline chairs and other lifting equipment and sanitary devices
• goods that have been designed solely for disabled people
• computer equipment
• emergency alarm call systems
• boats
• parts and accessories
You can also hire or lease eligible goods VAT-free if you have a disability.
Your retailer or other supplier is responsible for checking if the goods are eligible to sell VAT-free.
To show that you’re entitled to buy the goods VAT-free, your supplier will probably ask you for a simple written declaration stating your eligibility. If the supplier does not give you a form to fill in you can use the Eligibility Declaration by a Disabled Person for VAT Reliefs, which you can obtain at www.gov.uk. You will need to do a separate declaration for each supplier for them to keep with their VAT records. (Information gov.uk)
Question: I have a Motability Car, can I allow anyone to drive it, for example to go and get my shopping?
Answer: The vehicle must be used by, or for your benefit. You do not have to be in the car for every journey or be the driver but only drivers listed on your Certificate of Motor Insurance can drive the vehicle.
Question: I am in my eighties and I am finding taking my dog for a walk very hard to do, in fact I miss most days. Is there any organisation that can help?
Answer: The Cinnamon Trust, is a charity which was founded in 1985. They offer voluntary dog walking support for owners who can no longer exercise their pets themselves. A person must be over the age of 65 for them to help unless they are suffering from a terminal illness. The age criteria applies to the whole household, not just the pet owner. You can find out more about the Trust at cinnamon.org.uk and to phone use: 01736 757 900
