Disabled Facilities Grant Information Sheet

Prior to making an application your occupational therapist will make an assessment of your needs and confirm that the proposed works are necessary and appropriate. For some medical conditions the occupational therapist will need to seek advice from the disabled person's consultant.

You can receive help to make the application and throughout the whole process (including drawing plans, applying for building regulations and sending the work schedule and plans to tender etc) from the local home improvement agency. If you are a council tenant then this help will be provided by your landlord. Some housing associations may provide a similar service. Your occupational therapist can advise you about this.

You can also apply for a grant if you wish to arrange the work yourself; however, if you are considering applying for a grant, you should contact the PSHT before you start any work. You will not be awarded a grant for any works completed before you receive approval from the council.

The Private Sector Housing Team will need to determine that the proposed works are both reasonable and practicable, depending on the age and condition of the property. They will need to look at the most cost effective way of meeting the needs of the disabled person. They may recommend an alternative to the proposed scheme such as using existing rooms, for example use of a dining room as a bedroom. This should be done in consultation with your occupational therapist, who will be advising on functional needs, to ensure that any alternatives being considered are appropriate for your specific assessed needs, taking into account present and future predicted needs in relation to your disability/condition.

The disabled person or their agent will need to prepare a schedule of works and plans. These will be agreed in advance with the PSHT and enable the work to be tendered. The PSHT will be able to advise on the number of quotes that are required for any application.

Grant monies will be paid only when the council is satisfied that the work has been completed to its satisfaction and in accordance with detailed specifications laid down in the schedule of works, and with the grant approval. Please note, however, that you are responsible for ensuring that your builder meets the standard you require. A grant can be paid only on provision of an acceptable invoice, demand or receipt of payment for the works. An invoice is not acceptable if it is for work or services provided by the applicant or a member of his or her family. Where the works are carried out by the applicant or a relative, only invoices for materials or services that are purchased and brought in may be considered.

The council may pay the grant in full on completion of the works or by instalments as the works progress. The council will normally pay the grant directly to your contractor. This should not affect your right to ensure that the contractor has completed the works to your satisfaction. If the contractor has not, you should notify the council so that they can withhold payment, if appropriate.

When making an application, you must be sure that you intend to remain in the property for the foreseeable future. You will be asked to sign a certificate stating the intention to remain in the property for the next five years.