Disabled Facilities Grant and Housing Assistance Policy

The table in Appendix 1 outlines the conditions which apply to each type of assistance.

It is a condition of the grant that the works are completed within 12 months of the DFG being approved, unless a written request for an extension to the time limit is received within 6 weeks of the 12-month period expiring. Extension to the mandatory time limit for completion of the works will be at the discretion of the Council and the applicant should not assume that such a request will be agreed.

Where the works are not completed within the 12-month time period allowed and where the Council has not received a written request to extend this period, the DFG will be void.

In exceptional cases, the Council may defer payment of a Disabled Facilities Grant for up to 12 months.

Where there is a repayment condition attached to the assistance, the Council will register a local land charge against the property.

Consideration of the following will be given in determining the amount of the grant to be repaid:

• the extent to which the recipient of the grant would suffer financial hardship were he/she to be required to repay all or any of the grant
• whether the disposal of the premises is to enable the recipient of the grant to take up employment, or to change the location of his employment
• whether the disposal is made for reasons connected with the physical or mental health or wellbeing of the recipient of the grant or of a disabled occupant of the premises
• whether the disposal is made to enable the recipient of the grant to live with, or near, any person who is disabled or infirm and in need of care, which the recipient of the grant is intending to provide, or who is intending to provide care of which the recipient of the grant is in need by reason of disability or infirmity

Given the pressures on DFG funding and high property values locally, the presumption will be made that it is reasonable to require repayment in the circumstances described in b), c) and d) above, unless the grant recipient would suffer financial hardship in doing so.