Relocation Grant (DFG)
There is a presumption against the allocation of a Disabled Facilities Grant where the property is unsuitable in the long term to the applicant’s needs.
The Authority will also offer assistance towards the relocation of a disabled person in appropriate circumstances i.e. where a property’s adaptation costs are not reasonable or practicable, or else where adaptation of the existing property may not adequately meet the needs of the disabled person or their family/carer.
To assist the disabled person to move to a more suitable property where it is more cost effective than adapting the current home consideration will be given to meeting legal and removal costs in addition to adaptation costs by way of the Relocation Grant. The maximum grant is £10,000.
What work does this cover?
Sometimes an Occupational Therapist may identify a homeowner whose needs cannot be met within their existing home. Adaptations at certain properties may not be practicable and this decision will be made in conjunction with the disabled adaptations service.
In these circumstances, a client may be eligible for financial assistance to move from their current home to a more suitable property, which is either adapted to meet their needs or, where adaptations are practicable.
Works eligible for discretionary assistance
The grant offered will not exceed the cost of adapting the current property.
For private sector tenants assistance with removal expenses will be considered in cases of hardship.
The grant can only be used to cover the costs related to moving house, for example:
- estate agent's fees
- solicitor's fees
- removal costs
- essential utility connection costs
- deposit for a privately rented property
In some cases, we may also consider helping with the cost of carpets and curtains and replacement of certain appliances. However, this will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.
An assessment of the new property will be carried out by the Occupational Therapist in order to determine if the disabled person’s daily living needs could be met at that property. In liaison with a grant officer, a determination of the cost of any adaptations necessary at the new property will be made. Refer also the Disabled Facilities Grant - Mandatory page.
You should contact the Occupational Therapist in the first instance, so that they can make a full assessment of your needs. Please ring 01545 574000 to enquire.
Who qualifies?
For owner occupiers a Relocation Grant will be offered alongside a DFG which will be subject to the same eligibility criteria, means test and post completion conditions as apply to the discretionary/mandatory Disabled Facilities grant.
In determining the level of assistance consideration will be given to the feasibility and cost of adapting both the current and proposed property, and the market value of each of the properties.
The disabled person and their spouse would be subject to a test of their financial resources to determine their financial contribution.
In cases where the disabled person is a child, the parents or guardian who will have an owner’s interest in the relocation property will be subject to the test of resources calculation.
How much will I get?
The maximum grant assistance available is £10,000.
How will I organise the grant/work?
The Local Authority will not assist you in finding a new property to move to. Once a property has been identified however you should contact your grant officer and occupational therapist to discuss the way forward.
Where adaptations are required to the new property the adaptations will be arranged through the services of the Council’s Adaptations In-house supervisory service. The Local Authority has a supervisory service which will help applicants to make an application for the grant, once the new accommodation has been identified. The supervisory service will include measuring up the new 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. The supervisory service officer may have already visited your previous home to discuss whether adaptations are practicable, and costed a scheme.
Grant conditions, including repayment
- The grant condition period is 10 years
- 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
- The works should be completed within 12 months of the approval, unless otherwise authorised
- The Statutory Test of Financial Resources as retained for Disabled Facilities Grants (HRGR 1996) may apply
- A charge will be lodged at the Land Registry on the new property as soon as possible after purchase of the property
- In the event of a disposal of the property, within 10 years of the payment of the grant award, the grant will be repayable in its entirety
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.