Page maintained by
Housing
Last updated: 19/1/2012
Expires: 19/1/2013
The Disabled Facilities Grant is available for a range of work that will help a disabled person remain in their home.
Grants are available for improving access to dwellings and principal rooms; changing or improving bathroom facilities; changes to kitchen facilities; improving heating; changing lighting controls; making the dwelling safe and to enable the disabled occupant to care for another person.
For more information keep reading, or you can jump to the FAQ using the following links.
The work must be necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the disabled person. The Borough Council will always consult the Social Care & Health Team of Social Services, so that they may recommend the necessary adaptations. An owner or tenant can apply for a grant for works to benefit a disabled person living at the dwelling. (A example of a bathroom adaptation is shown below).
The amount of grant awarded will be determined by a test of financial resources. Where the person making the application is not the disabled person or their partner, it will usually be the disabled person who is means tested, except in the case of a child. The maximum amount of grant, which can be awarded, is £30,000.
Discretionary disabled facilities grants are not available.
To make an online request for information available from Stafford Borough Council please click here.
You can apply for a grant if you are:
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.
The Council will have to ensure that the work is necessary, appropriate and reasonable, practicable and feasible. An Occupational Therapist from the Social Care & Health Team at Social Services, will be consulted 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.
The grant is means tested to ensure that those in the most need get the most help. Where the disabled person is a child, the grant will not be means tested. This will be determined by the income and capital of the disabled person and their spouse or partner (if applicable). It will take into account a person's average weekly income and any savings and assets 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. The maximum amount of grant which can be paid is £30,000. If your resources are more than your assessed needs you will be expected to fund some of the work costs and a grant for the remainder of the costs will be awarded. Where the cost of the work exceeds the grant limit, you will be expected to fund the additional cost. Advice is available on additional sources of funding.
Contact us using the details above. We will be able to tell you what supporting document(s) you may need. Please 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. The Council support the Orbit Care and Repair Agency, who are able to support and assist grant applicants with their application by preparing plans, obtaining necessary permissions, appointing contractors. They can also offer advice on finding additional funding, if required. You will be notified, in writing, within six months of receipt of your fully valid application, whether you have been given a grant.
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 and/or receipt. The grant will usually 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 purchased will be acceptable.
If you or someone living with you is disabled you may qualify for a disabled facilities grant towards the cost of providing necessary adaptations and facilities. Grant aid is mandatory for essential works, subject to application criteria being met. Grants are now available towards disabled adaptations to most types of living accommodation, including mobile homes and houseboats.
a) - The works must be necessary and appropriate. This will need to be discussed between the disabled person and an Occupational Therapist from Staffordshire County Council's, Social Care & Health Team.
b) - It must also be reasonable and practicable to carry out the works - this often depends on the age, condition and layout of the property.
Subject to the above, the following are examples of works that may be available.
You must be either the owner or tenant of the property, even though you may not be the disabled person for whom the works are required. It is also possible for a landlord to apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
To ensure that the resources go to the most needy households the amount of grant you can get will be decided by a test of resources. This takes into account the income and capital of the disabled person (and their spouse). If the grant is for the benefit of a disabled person who is under the age of 19 and dependent, then the test of resources will not be applied. The current limit for a Disabled Facilities Grant is a maximum of £30,000.
If you wish to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant you should contact Environmental & Health Services (01785) 619402. We will initially refer your enquiry to the Social Care & Health Team at Staffordshire County Council who will contact you directly. An Occupational Therapist will visit you and make an assessment of the disabled person's needs. Alternatively, you may wish to contact Social Services yourself.
Following this assessment the Occupational Therapist from the Social Care & Health Team will refer your case to this Council for consideration for a Disabled Facilities Grant if this is applicable. On receipt of this referral one of the Council's Officers will contact you to offer advice and discuss how to proceed with your grant application.
Alternatively you may be referred to a Care and Repair Agency, Orbit Care and Repair, who will help you through the application process.
There may be an initial wait before the Occupational Therapist can visit you to make an assessment. Social Care & Health will be able to advise you on this.
