Disability Information Sources

[Martin O Refurbisher]

1.4 What law covers this notice?

The VAT Act 1994:

* Section 30 holds that goods and services specified in Schedule 8 to the Act are zero-rated; and
* Schedule 8, Group 12 (as amended by SI 1997/2744, SI 2000/805 and 2001/754) specifies the zero-rated goods and services explained in this notice.

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

If a supplier refuses to zero-rate, VAT rules require us to contact the manufacturer or importer first.

If that fails, they want us to write to:

HM Customs and Excise
Charities and Healthcare Team
4th Floor
New King’s Beam House
22 Upper Ground
LONDON
SE1 9PJ

They are reluctant to give you the helpline number:

If you have a question about Charities or VAT relief for disabled and older people, you can telephone 0845 302 0203
Opening hours - 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Closed weekends and bank holidays

BUT this unit is actually at:

HM Revenue and Customs
VAT Reliefs for disabled and older people
St John's House
Merton Road
Liverpool
L75 1BB

Nor do they rush to tell you that there is a way to email them:

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/f ... mrc.gov.uk
OR
https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/f ... mrc.gov.uk

These are both contact forms which time out after 15 mins!

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

To find out what services you local authority can, does or should provide, first look on this list:

http://doc.esd.org.uk/LocalGovernmentSe ... References

If your council is not on the list, do a search at the root directory:

www.esd.org.uk

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

See:

http://www.library.nhs.uk/details.aspx? ... c=525&id=0

Best,

Martin

[LROBBINS]

Good grief, it sounds like the situation for importing stuff into the UK is just like importing it into Italy. All I'd seen of the UK system was the self-certification form you file with a supplier, I didn't realize that you need essentially the same BS documentation there (before you can sign that form) as we need here (except that here we have to physically be seen by a medical commission to have the handicap certified).

But the other similarity is what happens when customs charges full VAT - here, often even if the box is properly tagged and all the documents are included. Neither the shipping company nor the customs agents notice the label nor open the document envelope. It becomes a full-time job and a long wait to get a refund. Grrrr. Hence I'm continuing to try to find sources in Italy or in the UK if at all possible - a good price from the U.S. (especially good since I consolidate shipments with a forwarder) isn't worth the grief of dealing with the bureaucracy. Just found FH stainless pop rivets here (actually manufactured in Italy), but no one yet who will sell less than 1000 at a time.

Ciao,
Lenny

[Martin O Refurbisher]

If of course you are VAT registered and the importer, you simply deal with the recovery via your VAT account, once the goods have been sold on against a VAT certificate, so it is only private importers who suffer this problem in UK.

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

Radar guide to the workplace

http://www.radar.org.uk/doinglifediffer ... rently.pdf

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

The organisation RADAR created the Key scheme.

Keys are generally available from many disability units and advice centres, and Council Offices normally provide them free on request to those who live in their borough. Just ask at reception.

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

Revised definition of "Disability"

http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/docs/law/ea/ea-draft-guide.pdf

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

http://www.grantsonline.org.uk

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

The Benefits Enquiry Line – 0800 88 22 00

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

The Family Welfare Association provides grants for a
variety of circumstances. It cannot help with anything that
is the responsibility of your local authority or health service.
Family Welfare Association
Grants & Advice Manager
501-505 Kingsland Road
London E8 4AU
Phone: 020 7254 6251
Fax: 020 7249 5443
Email: fwa.headoffice@fwa.org.uk
Website: www.fwa.org.uk

If they cannot help, they may know of someone who can!

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

FunderFinder Ltd
65 Raglan Road
Leeds LS2 9DZ
Phone: 0113 243 3008
Fax: 0113 243 2966
Email: info@funderfinder.org.uk
Website: www.funderfinder.org.uk

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

Other sources of funds
Many local bodies make grants to local charities or people in
need. You may want to try fundraising in your local area.
Local banks, churches, synagogues, temples, large
department stores or your local supermarket, for example,
may have a small budget to give money to a local charity or
people in need. Local Lion Clubs and Rotary Clubs are also
sometimes able to provide funds.

If you have servered, even briefly, in the British Forces, thry the Royal British Legion.

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/about.htm

Best

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/gro ... 102240.pdf

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

New one:

http://www.grantnet.com/

clcik on business or community as appropriate, and see what you can find!

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

see

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Healt ... wheelchair

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

This is the current claimed "one stop shop" for all relevant UK Gov't info:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm

Best,

Martin

[Martin O Refurbisher]

Much is written about battery charging, and Burgerman has many times explained the principles of :

- Constant current fast charge; then
- Constant Voltage absorbing charge followed by
- Float charge

If, like me you are sticking with the best conventional batteries, and not yet changing to Lithium, then Burgerman's choice was Odyssey;

Here are the full details, including helpful graphs and notes, from the manufacturer:

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/documents ... 10_low.pdf

Best,


Martin