Who can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)?
An applicant must either be the owner of the dwelling or be a tenant, and be able to provide the local authority with the necessary ‘owners or tenants certificate’. A landlord may apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
However, tenants of council properties may have their adaptation needs met directly by their council without the need to apply for a DFG.
How will the grant be calculated?
All grant applications will be subject to a test of the resources of the disabled person and their spouse or partner, which assesses how much, if anything they must contribute to the cost of the works. The amount of grant is what is needed to meet the cost of the works over and above the applicants contribution.
What is the DFG available for?
Where people need adaptations so that they may gain better access to and move around their home freely or use the essential facilities within the home so that they can manage as independently as possible.
Mandatory and Discretionary DFGs
The prominent purpose for which mandatory disabled facilities grant is given is that of access and provision: this includes access into and around the dwelling, to essential facilities and amenities within the dwelling and the provision of certain facilities within the dwelling, such as making the building safe, where this is the only or most suitable option.
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Priority Pointing
This is an assessment process, which aims to identify and evaluate the level of need, risk and urgency for a disabled adaptation, by taking into account the following:
- the reason why the adaptation is required
- the mobility of the disabled person and their ability to move around their existing home and access the facilities
- the risk to their health and safety should the adaptation be delayed or not carried out
- whether the person is a child or a young person aged under 18 years
- whether or not previous adaptations have been carried out, which partially meet their current needs
- the length of time that the person has been waiting for the adaptation
By adopting this approach Shropshire Council can ensure that the funding available for DFGs is used to assist those applicants in greatest need.
The purposes for which discretionary disabled facilities grants are available are for works to make the dwelling suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of the disabled person.
For further information about how to apply for a grant please contact us via the link on this page.