Disabled Facilities Grants
Disabled Facilities Grants may
be available to disabled people who need essential adaptation
work carried out to give them greater freedom of movement in and
around their home. The maximum grant available is £30,000 subject
to a means test.
The types of work that are covered by a Disabled Facilities
Grant include:
- Making it easier to get in and out of the
dwelling by, for example, widening doors, levelling thresholds and
installing ramps.
- Ensuring the safety of the disabled person
and other occupants by, for example, providing a specially adapted
room in which it would be safe to leave a disabled person
unattended or improved lighting to ensure better
visibility.
- Making access to the living room and
kitchen easier.
- Providing or improving access to the
bedroom, toilet, washbasin and bath (and/or shower) facilities; for
example, by installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs
bedroom and bathroom.
- Improving or providing a heating system in
the home that’s suitable for the needs of the disabled
person.
- Adapting heating or lighting controls to
make them easier to use.
- Improving access and movement around the
home to enable the disabled person to care for another person who
lives in the property, such as a spouse, child or another person
for whom the disabled person cares.
All Disabled Facilities Grants are subject to a means test of
resources except in the case of disabled children where a nil
contribution will be required of parents or carers.
All applicants for Disabled Facilities Grants will be referred to
have their needs assessed by an Occupational Therapist (O/T) from
Bedford Social Services. To be placed on their waiting list,
contact the O/T Duty Desk on 01234 276665. You can contact
Bedford Borough Council's Home Improvement Team on
01234 718294 (Weds-Fri).