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Home Page > Environment and Planning > Environmental health > Housing Grants > Disabled Facilities Grants
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Disabled Facilities Grants

 

Grants for disabled adaptations to allow independent living are awarded by the Council. These are processed following referral by the occupational therapist.

 

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 Government have produced a leaflet on Disabled Facilities Grants which you might find useful.

 

What type of work is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

  • 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.

 

Does the Council have to give me a Disabled Facilities Grant?

The Council will have to ensure that the work is from an Occupational Therapist (OT) referral as well as reasonable, practicable and feasible.

 

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 and the disabled persons spouse or partner. Children now qualify for a grant which is not means tested. There is a maximum level to the grant of £30,000.

 

Means testing will take into account a person's average weekly income and 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.

 

How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?

An Occupational Therapist will contact us on your behalf. The majority of grant applicants use the services of Anchor (our Home Improvement Agency – link to Anchor web site) to assist in the application and ensuring works on site conform to our standards.

 

They will be able to tell you what supporting document you may need. The OT will let us know if the work is urgent.

 

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 installments 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 and receipt of satisfaction form signed by the applicant, and Anchor. The Occupational Therapist must also be satisfied the work meet your needs. The grant will be paid directly to the contractor.

 

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 paid.

 

Occupational Therapist Contact Details:

 

Children’s Team

Occupational Therapist, Leicestershire County Council Social Services, 3 High St, Coalville, Leicester, LE67 3EA.

Telephone 01530 275200

 

Adult Access Team

County Buildings, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray LE13 0DA

Telephone 01664 564698

 

Adaptations Team – Stairlift Maintenance issues only

Leicestershire County Council Social Services, Rothley House, Jackson Street, Coalville, Leicester, LE67 3NR.

Telephone 01530 513805

 

Other contact details

You can contact Environmental Health direct for further information

or Leicestershire Social Care Services .

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