Disabled facilities grants

Grants are available to help adapt the homes of people so that they may continue to live there. Such grants are given by Salisbury District Council under Part 1 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. The legislation contains a list of the type of work that are eligible for grant. These relate to access to the home and the facilities within it. These grants are known as Disabled Facilities Grant and are means tested.

Where can I get Advice about Aids and Adaptation?

If you, a member of your family or friend are finding difficulties accessing or using the facilities in your home. For example it may be difficult or impossible to get in and out of the bath or climb the stairs. In the first instance rather than answering adverts in the Sunday Supplements for aids and adaptations it is recommended that you obtain independent and impartial advice. For professional and expert advice you should contact an Occupational Therapist at Wiltshire Social Services (see useful addresses and contacts). There is no cost for this service and everyone is entitled to an assessment. If an assessment is made and assistance is not possible after reference to a strict criteria then the Occupational Therapist would be more than happy to give advice or refer you to someone that can help you further.

If the client's needs are for adaptations which require major works such as a level access shower or a stairlift then a referral may be made to Salisbury District Council for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

What Type of Adaptation can be Undertaken?

Typically Grants can be awarded to make adaptation to enable people to continue to live in their home. These could include:

  • Installing a stairlift or through-the-floor lift
  • Adapting the bathroom for example with a level access shower or a shower over the bath
  • Widening doorways
  • Constructing a suitable access path including ramps
  • Additional Heating
How should I apply?

In the first instance you should contact Wiltshire Social Services for an assessment of needs. If an adaptation is necessary then a referral may be made to Salisbury District Council for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

In normal circumstances, Salisbury District Council will refer your details to Anchor Staying Put who will be able to provide you with an application form and help you complete it. Anchor will work on your behalf and arrange for a work specification to be drawn up and obtain quotations from contractors. The application can then be submitted for assessment by the District Council. You have the option to make an application without the assistance of Anchor. You should do this before any work is started. You will not get any grant if you start work before the Council has approved your application.

The application form sets out the further documentation you will need to support your application. An application is only valid if it is made on the Council's form and if it includes all the information required.

Whether or not the work is grant-aided, it is important to ensure that the work gets done properly and at a reasonable price. If you do not qualify then Anchor can act on your behalf ensuring that the job is completed in a professional manner by competent contractors. For non grant- aided work Anchor will charge a fee based on the value of the work.

Would I be eligible for a Grant?

The award of a Disabled Facilities Grant is mandatory subject to rules defined by the government.

The eligibility criteria is assessed using a means test which includes consideration of the following:

The applicant's weekly income, taking account of any savings above a certain limit (certain state benefits, including those which specifically recognise a person's disability, are ignored). This is then set against an assessment of basic needs, which are recognised by a range of premiums and allowances.

If the person's resources are less than this assessment, then they will not normally need to contribute to the cost of the works. If the applicant is in receipt of income support, income-based jobseekers allowance or pension credit then they will not normally have to make a contribution.

If the person's resources are more than the assessment, then a proportion of their income will be used to calculate the size of their contribution.

What if I don't qualify or the grant doesn't cover the cost of the work?

If you do not qualify for a grant and are concerned about employing a contractor to carry out the required work then Anchor Staying Put could act on your behalf. They may be able to survey the work, preparing a specification, obtaining quotes from competent contractors and ensuring the work is completed in a satisfactory manner. There is a charge for this service based on the value of the work and you need to speak to Anchor about the details of this service.

Useful Addresses and Contacts

Salisbury District Council
26 Endless Street
Salisbury
SP1 1DR
Tel: 01722 434503

Anchor Staying Put
1st Floor, Cross Keys House
Queen Street
Salisbury SP1 1EV
Tel: 01722 333391
web: www.stayingput.org.uk/agency/salisbury/aboutus

Occupational Therapy - Amesbury & West
Dept of Adult and Community Services
1a Mills Way
Boscombe Down Business Park
Amesbury SP4 7RX
Tel: 01980 664980

Occupational Therapy - Salisbury & Downton
Wiltshire County Council
Adult Care Team
Salt Lane
Salisbury SP1 1DU
Tel: 01722 411322

Age Concern Salisbury District
21 Brown Street
Salisbury
Tel: 01722 335425

Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Elm Tree
Long Street
Devizes SN10 1NJ
Tel: 0800 512012

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434503

email:
jhudson@salisbury.gov.uk

Postal address:
26 Endless Street
Salisbury
SP1 1DR