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.
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.
Discretionary assistance can be given to:
- Fund or part fund essential repairs or adaptation works to allow the relocation to take place
- Fund, or part-fund, the difference between the sum realised from the sale of the disabled person’s current property and the purchase price of the property to which they will relocate
- Fund the ancillary costs involved in the sale (e.g. Solicitor’s fees, Removals & Storage)
- Essential utility connections
- Deposit for privately rented property
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 amount is set at £10,000. This includes any work, equipment costs, vat if applicable, and all fees associated with the work (such as administration, arrangement or agent fees.)
This also includes any relocation costs as set out above.
The amount of grant will be determined by the department and will depend upon quotes obtained as well as any fees that you may need to pay. Payments will be made at various stages, which will be agreed with your grant officer. Payment for work carried out at the new property is upon receipt of Invoice and is usually made straight to the contractor, after inspection.
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.
The Local Authority has a supervisory service which is available to 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) applies
- A Local Land Charge will be placed on the property for the grant condition period
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