Whats in this section?

Whats in this section?

Managing your home

If you or a family member have a disability, home adaptations such as equipment and software can make life easier.
Having home adaptations installed can be daunting, especially if you’re hiring someone to do jobs you previously did yourself. However, there are reliable tradespeople available.
If you are eligible for council support, they may help with minor adaptations following a care assessment.

What are the Disabled Facilities Grants? How do I get one?

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

Disabled Facilities Grant (or DFG’s) are available from your Local Authority. Those eligible can use DFG’s to pay for home adaptations to support them to stay in their own homes.

What sort of adaptations would be included under a DFG?

Adaptations could include:
Widening doorways;
Installing ramps;
Improving access to facilities and rooms;
Adapting heating and lighting to be more accessible;
Stairlifts and more.

Who can apply for a DFG?

You can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you or someone living in your home is disabled, and you are the owner, tenant or landlord of the property. Be aware if you are a tenant in a rented property, you can apply for one of these grants, but only with the landlord’s permission. Disabled facilities grants are designed to help meet the cost of adapting a home for the needs of a disabled person, including people with dementia.

What happens when I apply for a DFG?

DFG applications are handled by either the housing or environmental health department at your local council. They will task an Occupational Therapist (OT) to assess the disabled person’s needs (assuming they have not already had one).
Once the OT has established the disabled person’s needs, They will identify equipment or adaptations that would be appropriate.
The OT will then present their findings back to the council for a schedule of work to be approved (be aware the council may want structural surveys or planning permission for larger-scale changes). They must decide within six months. Once approved, the council will then appoint a contractor to do the work.

What is the maximum value of a DFG?

The maximum amount for a Disabled Facilities Grant is:
£30,000 in England
£25,000 in Northern Ireland
£36,000 in Wales
Disabled Facilities Grants are means-tested. They consider your savings, income and outgoings; therefore, the amount you receive depends on your circumstances.
DFG’s are not means-tested for families with a disabled child or children under the age of 19.

If the total cost of the work is above the maximum grant, your local authority has the discretion to provide further funds.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Find more information on these and apply directly on the GOV.UK website here.

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs)

Home Improvement Agencies are non-profit organisations. HIA’s are funded either by local authorities or central Government.
HIAs work professionally with older and disabled homeowners, providing advice, support and assistance to help them adapt their homes to meet their changing needs.

Home Improvement Agencies provide three main services:

  • Information and advice on adaptations you might wish to consider; this usually entails a visit to your home and is often free.
  • A ”handy person service” for small jobs and repairs. Typically the HIA will employ its handyperson and charge you an hourly rate for their services.
  • A ”home adaptations service” for more significant works. The HIA will work with you to specify the adaptations needed, and they will generally offer to get estimates from one or more of their regular contractors. Subject to your acceptance, the HIA will then propose to manage the works contract for you for an agreed fee.

HIA’s may be helpful if you are not sure you can afford the home adaptations or repairs you need.

In addition, HIA’s can advise on your eligibility for grants, and if necessary, put you in touch with independent financial advisers.

You can find your local HIA here.

Finding a contractor

Buy with confidence provides contact details for local, reliable and reputable contractors to carry out housing repairs and maintenance.

Visit: www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Telecare (Assistive Technologies)

Assistive technology (Telecare) can detect falls, inactivity, smoke, flooding, gas or extreme temperatures in the home. 

Sensors in the home can trigger telecare device alerts; they’re then received either by:

  • trained operators at a 24-hour call centre
  • or directly by a relative or carer.

Some devices can also help monitor particular health conditions and reduce the need for hospital admissions.
Telecare home adaptations can help users remain independent, leaving relatives and carers safe knowing that should an incident occur, they will know about it.
Telecare can help restore confidence for people who feel vulnerable in their own homes for various reasons – whether this is due to living alone, frailty or the need to summon help in an emergency.

Assistive technology can:
  • Be a short-term measure during a period of recovery
  • Or for ongoing peace of mind.

You can nominate a relative, carer, neighbour or friend to be a responder. As a responder, they need to be able to get to the location of the alarm if the response centre contacts them. In addition, they must be able to take appropriate action and live within a reasonable distance.

You can buy telecare and assistive technology from private companies and organisations. Alternatively, if you’re eligible through an assessment, your local council may be able to provide it for you.

Find companies providing telecare near you here.

What next?

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