Private Sector Housing - Disabled Facilities Grants
This is a grant, up to the sum of £30,000 per applicant. A disabled person may qualify for this grant towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities to enable them to continue to live in their home. Every applicant should be referred to us by Hampshire Social Services (Occupational Therapy).
Although this grant is means tested, following guidelines laid down by central government (who provide 60% of the funding for these grants), no one should be discouraged from applying. Grants for disabled children (18 years or less) are excluded from means testing. People in receipt of Income Support (which includes Guaranteed Pension Credit) will usually receive a full grant. Also people with an income under £15,050 claiming either Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit or Working Tax Credit will also not be required to make any contribution towards the grant. Even people with significant savings will often be eligible for a grant towards the work. We are always very happy to advise potential clients about this aspect, so please call the Private Sector Team to make sure you are not missing out!
Eligibility for a Grant
Home owners, housing association tenants, private tenants and landlords can apply in respect of a disabled occupant. Applications will only be considered however, where a Hampshire Social Services Occupational Therapist has made a referral. It needs to be demonstrated that the works will provide the most effective long-term solution taking into account the relevant circumstances of those affected. In some instances the existing home will not be suitable for adaptation and, with the disabled persons' agreement, the Council may decide that it is better to help them move to more suitable accommodation.
Hampshire County Council - Social Services (Occupational Therapy) can be contacted on 0845 600 4555.
Qualifying Works
In considering the recommendations the Council must establish that the proposed works are necessary, appropriate, reasonable and practicable.
The following categories of work are eligible for a mandatory disabled facilities grant :
• facilitate access to a dwelling
• facilitate access within a dwelling
• facilitate access to the garden
• adaptations to enable the disabled person to care for their resident dependants
• make a dwelling safe
• provide or improve heating
• provide access to and enable the use of heating, lighting, power and amenities
• provide basic amenities for the use of the disabled occupant.
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