Home improvements - Disabled Facilities Grant for Private Properties
These are mandatory grants and legislated under the 1996 Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 for people with a permanent or substantial disability.
Who can apply?
A private tenant or owner occupier of a property in Solihull provided that this is your only or main residence.
A landlord on behalf of a disabled person.
The parents or guardians of a disabled child under the age of 19.
Would I qualify for a grant?
The grants are means tested, however people in receipt of the following benefits will not have to means tested;
- Guaranteed pension credit
- Council tax benefit (not sole occupancy)
- Housing benefit
- Income based job seekers allowance
- Income support
- Child tax credit (with a household income of less than £15,050)
- Working tax credit (with a household income of less than £15,050)
For disabled people who do not receive the above mentioned benefits, a means test applies. This takes into consideration the income of the disabled person and his/her partner or spouse, including savings over £6,000.
The outcome of the means test may result in you having to pay a contribution towards the cost of the work or not receiving any grant at all.
Grants for disabled children under 19 are not subject to a means test.
The government has set aside funding to help and support Ex Service Personnel and Veterans. If you are in receipt of a War Pension Scheme and a Constant Attendance Allowance please contact us for further information.
How much is available?
A maximum mandatory grant of £30,000 above which a discretionary top-up may be approved.
What type of work is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded for essential adaptations to give a disabled person better freedom of movement around the house. This work includes:
- widening doors or installing ramps
- providing a specially adapted room in which it is safe to leave a disabled person unattended
- installing a stair lift so there is better access to a bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom
- installing a downstairs bathroom
- a garage conversion
Does the Council have to give me a Disabled Facilities Grant?
We have to ensure that the work is:
- necessary
- appropriate
and
- reasonable
- practicable
- feasible
Disabled needs will be met in the most economical way.
Once you have made an enquiry, and if you meet the criteria, an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant from the Care Trust will visit your home to see how you manage and discuss your particular needs.
How is the Disabled Facilities Grant calculated?
The grant is means tested to ensure that those in the most need get the most help. This will be determined by the income and capital of:
- the disabled person
- the disabled persons spouse or partner
It will take into account:
- a person's average weekly income
- any savings above £6,000
Some benefits, especially those that recognise a person's disability are not included. If your income is less than your allowance you will be given a full grant.
If your income is more than your allowances you will be required to contribute towards the cost of the works or may not receive a grant.
How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Contact the Occupational Therapy Team for an assessment using the contact details below. They will then make a recommendation on the type of equipment or adaptation that you need to the Private Sector Housing Team. They will provide all the necessary documents and calculate your contribution, if any. If you feel you are unable to pay the amount calculated, or that your contribution has been calculated incorrectly, you can discuss this with the Private Sector Housing Team.
How will the Disabled Facilities Grant be paid?
We will pay the grant in instalments as the work progresses if it is a large scheme, or once all the work has been completed.
Your grant will only be paid when we are satisfied the work has been satisfactorily completed and in accordance with the grant approval. Grants can only be paid on provision of an invoice.
The grant may be paid directly to the contractor and if you are required to pay towards the cost of the works your contribution will be paid to Solihull Council prior to commencement of the work.
When work is carried out by the applicant or a relative, only invoices for materials or services that have been bought will be acceptable.
Please contact us using the details below for more information.
Provision of Grant Only and Self Funding
Where there is an assessed need for adaptation, we normally specify works and project manage them on your behalf. However, you will be given the choice of receiving a grant for the cost of the works which you can obtain yourself. This may be beneficial to you if you are planning further works in addition to the adaptation.
Before you start any work to your property you need to ensure that you are choosing the correct adaptation to meet your need. The Private Sector Housing Team can help to undertake the work on your behalf and help you in the process of a referred/preferred route.
Prior to commencing work yourself you need to make sure that any building regulation approval or planning permission has been granted before the Council has approved your application.
You will not get a grant if you have started work before the Council has approved your application.
If you do not qualify for grant assistance, our technical staff will oversee the works on your behalf. This may be of assistance if you are unable to, or lack the confidence to, supervise the work.
Relocation Grants
These are for Private Sector Tenants, Housing Association Tenants and Owner Occupiers.
A Relocation Grant of up to £5,000 may be available if:
- your home cannot be adapted to meet your need
- where another property would be easier to adapt
- where a property has already been adapted or requires no adaptation
The grant will be a contribution towards fees and the costs of the removal where appropriate.
Property Charges
Solihull Council will place a limited charge on adapted properties of owner occupiers, and private sector landlords where the cost of the Disability Facilities Grant exceeds £5,000, which is limited to a maximum charge of £10,000 and will remain in force for a period of 10 years from the certified date of completion of your adaptation.
Below are examples of the amount of grant that may be repaid in relation to the cost of the adaptation
| Cost of adaptation | Amount to be repaid |
|---|---|
| Up to £5,000 | NIL |
| £7,000 | £2,000 |
| £10,000 | £5,000 |
| £15,000 | £10,000 |
| Above £15,000 | £10,000 |
Contact Details
Occupational Therapy Team
Tel: 0121 329 0191
Private Sector Housing Team
Tel: 0121 717 1451