The information on this page is presented in the format of frequently asked questions. Please click a question from the index below to see the appropriate answer.
Is there a maximum amount of Disabled Facilities Grant available?
Yes, the maximum cost of the work covered by a mandatory DFG is £25,000, excluding your contribution. Grant assistance above this maximum amount will not be given.
Can the council help me adapt my home because I am disabled?
Anyone who is registered, or could be registered as being disabled under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.
Owner-occupiers and tenants may apply. A landlord can also apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
The council’s private sector housing team can advise you on this. Please ring 01753 875264.
If I do not own my own home, am I still entitled to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
You do not have to own the property. However, you will need to sign a ‘certificate of occupancy’ stating that you intend to live there for at least five years after the work is completed (circumstances allowing). Also the landlord must sign a certificate stating that he/she intends to let the property as a residence to a disabled tenant for at least five years after the work is completed.
In addition to my Disabled Facilities Grant, can the council offer me help with repairs needed on the house?
It is a requirement of the disabled facilities grant that the property is fit to live in. If you are an owner- occupier or a tenant and your home needs repairs or improvements, the grant surveyor may also be able to offer you a Renovation or a Minor Works Grant. Financial assistance may also be available to improve the thermal insulation of your home. The grant surveyor will be happy to discuss this with you.
If you rent your home privately and it needs repair, the grant surveyor may require your landlord by means of a formal notice to arrange for these repairs to be carried out.
How is my position on the Disabled Facilities Grant waiting list determined?
When making a referral, the Occupational Therapist must recommend a solution, which is both “necessary and appropriate” to meet the needs of the disabled persons. It must also offer value for money. This may result in the Occupational Therapist supporting your application for a disabled facilities grant or they may recommend other options, which will ensure that your needs are met.
How does the builder get paid for work done, with a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Following the satisfactory completion of the work, the grant will be paid direct to the builder, unless the applicant makes a written request for it to be paid to him or herself. In the case of a larger project, a stage payment can be made.
What happens to my application for a Disabled Facilities Grant, following the referral from an Occupational Therapist?
From the date that private sector housing receive the referral you will be contacted within 30 working days to agree a date when an officer may visit in order to calculate your contribution if any towards the cost of the work.
A grant surveyor and your OT will then visit (subject to your position on the waiting list) to discuss and agree with you the extent and nature of the works needed. You will then be provided with a specification of works. No work will be carried out unless you are in full agreement with the scheme and provide written permission to confirm this.
Once the grant’s officer has produced the specification of work you will need to arrange the necessary statutory permissions and consents and arrange for at least two independent estimates. However the agency will do this on your behalf.
Once you have received written confirmation that your application has been successful, you may proceed with the works specified by the grant’s officer. DO NOT start any works without first receiving this approval or you may lose you’re right to a Grant.
When the work has been completed, the OT and the grants officer will check the works have been done as specified before making payment.
Who is eligible to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Anyone who is registered, or could be registered as being disabled under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
Owner-occupiers and tenants may apply. A landlord can also apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
The Council’s Private Sector Housing team can advise you on this, on 01753 875264.
How can I contact an Occupational Therapist to assess my need for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
You can contact your Social Services Department to request assessment by an Occupational Therapist (OT) on 01753 690400.
Alternatively, you can employ a private OT to assess you. Their fee can be re-fundable out of the grant monies available, but only if your application is successful.
If your need is urgent you will be allocated an OT within 7 working days. Otherwise all requests are currently dealt with in date order, so you may have to wait between 2-4 months for an assessment. The OT will discuss your needs with you and then make a referral to Private Sector Housing, in accordance with eligibility guidelines.
How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
The first step is to arrange for an assessment of the disabled person's needs. This assessment is carried out by an Occupational Therapist (OT) usually from Slough's Social Services Department. The OT will visit you in your own home and where appropriate they will make a formal referral for a grant to Private Sector Housing.
The referral will recommend a practical solution which is both 'necessary and appropriate' depending on the individual's circumstances. The recommendation will be for either a mandatory grant (to provide access to basic facilities), or a discretionary grant (for other work).
It should be noted that discretionary grants are only recommended in exceptional circumstances.
What happens if I can't organise the home improvements work myself, with my Disabled Facilities Grant?
Private Sector Housing provides a service called the ‘Slough Home Improvement Agency’ (SHIA). The agency can arrange for the works to be carried out on your behalf. The grant surveyor would be happy to give any additional advice about this service.
Alternatively you may employ your own surveyor or architect to assist and organise the works for you.
What if extra works are found to be necessary, after I have originally applied for my Disabled Facilities Grant?
“Unforeseen works” are likely to include matters which would not necessarily have been detected during a visual inspection of the property e.g. fungal attack or woodworm infestation of structural timbers.
In circumstances where you consider unforeseen works are necessary you should immediately contact the grant officer to arrange an inspection of the property to allow an assessment of the problem and to determine whether the works are eligible for grant assistance.
You will be advised in writing of the decision. However if any additional grant is offered the total grant offer will not exceed the £25,000 maximum.
What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Disabled facilities grants are mandatory and are provided to help pay for certain types of adaptations within the home. These adaptations are designed to assist a person with a disability manage more independently and safely by enabling them to access basic facilities such as a toilet and washing facilities.
What type of works can be done with a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Structural alterations which are necessary to enable a disabled person to manage more independently around their home, this may include:
Will I have to pay anything towards the cost of my home improvements, when applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Possibly, the grant is subject to a test of resources. This ‘means test’ takes account of your income but not of your outgoings. It assesses the ‘disposable’ income and the amount of loan that this amount of money could be reasonably expected to raise.
You will be required to provide information about your household income and savings. You will then be informed in advance how much (if any) contribution you will be expected to make towards the total cost of the work.
What will the Occupational Therapist look at when assessing my need for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
When making a referral, the Occupational Therapist must recommend a solution, which is both “necessary and appropriate” to meet the needs of the disabled persons. It must also offer value for money. This may result in the Occupational Therapist supporting your application for a disabled facilities grant or they may recommend other options, which will ensure that your needs are met.What if the total cost of my Disabled Facilities adaptions exceeds £25,000?
Your grant officer or the Home Improvements Agency may be able to advise you about any alternative sources of funding which may be available including equity release.For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
My Council
Landmark Place
High Street
Slough
opposite Slough Library
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