Disabled Facilities Grant - Supplementary (Top Up) Grant – (Discretionary)
Discretionary grant top up to mandatory disabled facilities grant of up to £15,000 to cover disability adaptations and equipment to enable persons to maintain independence in their home.
This can also be used instead of a mandatory DFG for those not qualifying for mandatory DFG due to failing the means test (or not being able to afford their contribution), but are ineligible for a Home Improvement Loan.
What work does this cover?
The Disabled Adaptations Supplementary (Top up) Grant is a discretionary fund which can be used where the award of a Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) does not cover the total costs of works due to the costs being in excess of the grant maximum (of £36,000).
This funding is available only in exceptional circumstances and by decision of the Corporate Lead Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member.
The works eligible are the same as the mandatory DFG works and this grant will only be awarded where there has also been a successful application for the DFG.
Eligibility may also may include those failing means test but not able to service home improvement loan repayments.
Who qualifies?
Applicants who have been awarded a mandatory DFG which does not cover the full cost of agreed works can be considered for the supplementary top up and therefore the same criteria will apply.
Recommendations will be made by the appropriate officer after full discussions of the case and the decision will be taken by the Corporate Lead Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member.
There is no means testing on this grant as this will already have been taken into consideration in the mandatory DFG.
How much is available?
The maximum amount available is £15,000, with the discretion to increase this in exceptional circumstances.
How will I organise the work?
The Council advises that this grant is only available through the services of the Council’s Adaptations In-house supervisory service.
The Local Authority supervisory service will help applicants to make an application for the grant. They will measure up the property to produce a scheme of work, including drawings where necessary, obtain quotes for the work, including for specialist equipment, and sort out any issues as they arise. They will help you to fill in the application form and sort out the financial information that you may need to provide.
Grant conditions, including repayment
- Grant conditions remain in force for the lifetime of the grant (until repayment)
- The applicant must intend to live in the property as their only or main residence for the grant condition period or for such shorter period as his health and other relevant circumstances permit
- Grant amounts will be subject to a Land Registry charge
- Repayment of the grant will be required on disposal or sale of the property, or if grant conditions are breached
- The works should be completed within 12 months of the approval, unless otherwise authorised
In cases of suspected fraud or deception - It is the policy of the authority to actively pursue, identify and investigate suspected instances of fraud and deception.
If the property is (to be) disposed of during the grant condition period, the Local Authority will consider the circumstances of the disposal (or sale) in relation to the amount of grant which is to be paid back.
Consideration will be given to the following circumstances:
- Repayment would lead to unnecessary financial hardship
- Disposal has been made for reasons connected with the physical or mental health or wellbeing of the recipient of the grant
- Disposal has been made for reasons connected with the physical or mental health or wellbeing of a member of the disabled occupants family
- 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 where the person to whom the recipient of the grant has moved to live with him or her intends to provide care of which the recipient of the grant is in need by reason of disability or infirmity