Disabled Facilities Grant and Housing Assistance Policy

Disabled Facilities Grants will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as summarised in Appendix 2). In addition, the following eligibility criteria will apply to all applications for assistance.

Assistance will not normally be given where works have commenced before the Council has given its approval in writing.

Applications for assistance will not normally be approved for works which fall outside of this policy. However, each application will be considered on its own merits, and sometimes where there are exceptional circumstances it may be appropriate to depart from the policy. If we do make an exception, we will give full reasons for doing so.

All applications for financial assistance from the Council must be accompanied by valid UK photographic identification (e.g. driving licence or passport) for each applicant, along with proof of address dated within the last 3 months (e.g. a utility bill or benefit statement). This will also be required for the disabled person in cases where the applicant is not the disabled person. For children’s cases, an original birth certificate must also be provided. The Council may investigate where it is believed that the disabled person does not reside at the address for which an application for financial assistance has been made in their name as their primary place of residence.

The Council may use credit check and on-line or other fraud investigator systems to check whether an applicant for any grant or loan has other bank accounts or outgoings that they have not declared to us.

Where the applicant has a contribution to pay or is undertaking privately funded work in addition to grant funded elements, the Council will expect these amounts to be paid in full to the contractor prior to any grant funds being released. Confirmation will be required from the contractor that all monies owed to them by the applicant has been paid in full.

Assistance cannot be provided when there is a dispute over property ownership.

Assistance is not typically provided for temporary residences.

We do not provide grant assistance for works covered by insurance. If an applicant can make an insurance claim, the assistance amount will be reduced by the insurance company’s liability. We will require the applicant to pursue relevant insurance claims and repay the assistance provided if applicable.

We will only offer assistance if the property’s age, condition, and structural layout make it feasible to achieve the required scope of works.

We may refuse an application lacking required information or documentation.

Deviating from the approved scheme of works without prior agreement may lead to the approval being rescinded or further payments of assistance being refused.

If the applicant ceases to be the owner of the property before the works are completed, they must repay the total amount of assistance received.

For common parts of a dwelling, assistance will only cover the applicant’s reasonable share of the liability.

Assistance may be provided for caravans and houseboats used as main residences, subject to eligibility requirements. Holiday residences, caravans on holiday sites, second homes, and sheds or outbuildings do not qualify for assistance.