Disabled Facilities Assistance Grant
How we provide this service
Details of grants for essential repairs and adaptations to homes is supported by Community & Neighbourhood Services, Community Housing.
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.
You can download our leaflet Disabled Facilities Assistance Grant for further information.
What to do to get this service
You will need to contact the Social Services Department at The Vista, Churchgate, Spalding, their telephone number is 01775 725751 to obtain an occupation therapist's recommendation.
Once we receive the recommendation we will send you the relevant application forms.
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 must submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
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.
Further Information on this service
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
- When a mandatory grant is available but the cost of the work exceeds the mandatory grant limit.
- accessing garden areas
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
The Council can refuse a grant if it believes the scheme does not fit these criteria.
Who can apply?
How is the Disabled Facilities Grant calculated?
The grant is means tested for an disabled person over the age of 19 years of age 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
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 asked to make a contribution for some of the work costs and a grant for the remainder of the costs.
Common Questions
Q. What type of grant assistance is available?
A. The following grants are currently being offered by the Council :
Disabled Facilities Assistance.
Q. Who is eligible to apply?
A. Potential applicants must satisfy the Council's qualifying criteria, and be, in the case of :
Disabled Facilities Assistance : Registered or registerable as disabled, supported by Occupational Therapist's recommendations.
Q. Are they subject to any financial means assessment?
A. Yes.
Q. Are there any maximum grant limits?
A. Yes.
Disabled Facilities Assistance : £30,000.
How do you rate this information / service?
Contact Details
If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.
