The Disabled Facilities Grant is
available for a range of work that will help a disabled person
remain in their home.
You can apply for a grant if you are:
- a tenant or owner of a property
- a landlord on behalf of a disabled tenant
The person who applies for the grant does not have to be the
disabled person who needs the adaptations.
However, the person applying for the grant will be asked to sign a
certificate stating that the disabled person will occupy the home
being adapted for at least five years. The time can be shorter
because of the disabled persons health or other relevant
factors.
Whoever applies for the grant must produce a certificate of
ownership or tenancy.
What type of work is eligible for a Disabled Facilities
Grant?
Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded for essential adaptations
to give a disabled person better freedom of movement around the
house. This work includes:
- widening doors or installing ramps
- providing a specially adapted room in which it is safe to leave
a disabled person unattended
- installing a stair lift so there is better access to a
bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom
- installing a downstairs bathroom
- improving or installing a heating system which is suitable for
the disabled person
- adapting heating or lighting controls so that they are easier
to use by a disabled person
Does the Council have to give me a Disabled Facilities
Grant?
The Council will have to ensure that the work is:
- necessary
- appropriate and reasonable
- practicable
- feasible
An occupational therapist will visit to ensure the work is
necessary and appropriate for the disabled person.
The Council can refuse a grant if it believes the scheme does not
fit these criteria.
How is the Disabled Facilities Grant
calculated?
The grant is means tested to ensure that those in the most need
get the most help.
This will be determined by the income and capital of:
- the disabled person
- the disabled persons spouse or partner
- the parents of a disabled person, aged under 19
It will take into account:
- a person's average weekly income
- any savings above a set amount
Some benefits, especially those that recognise a person's
disability are not included.
If your resources are less than your assessed basic needs you will
be given a full grant.
If your resources are more than your assessed needs you will be
expected to find a proportion of the costs and you will receive a
grant for the remainder of the costs.
How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Contact the Occupational Therapists at Social
Servicecs who will assess your needs and refer you to us.
You will need to make sure that any building regulation approval
or planning permission has been granted before you start
work.
You will not get any grant if you have started work before the
Council has approved your application.
You will be notified, in writing, within six months of receipt of
your application, whether you have been given a grant.
How will the Disabled Facilities Grant be
paid?
The Council may pay the grant in instalments as the work
progresses or once all the work has been completed.
Your grant will only be paid when the Council is satisfied that
the work has been satisfactorily completed and in accordance with
the grant approval.
Grants can only be paid on provision of:
- an invoice
- demand
- receipt
The grant may be paid directly to the contractor or in a form that
you can pay them once the work has been completed.
An invoice is not acceptable if it is for work or service provided
by the applicant or a member of his or her family.
When work is carried out by the applicant or a relative, only
invoices for materials or services that have been bought will be
acceptable.
Please contact us using the details below for more
information.
Improvements, Repairs and Regeneration
Telephone: 01502 523119
Fax: 01502 523150
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