Adaptations to property-financial contributions?

Jelly_legs

Hi

My social worker has recommended me for having a downstairs extension to my home to accommodate a lift, wet room and space for my scooter etc.

I own my property (mortgaged). I`m pretty skint but have £5000 in savings which I`m living off at the moment.

I really can`t afford to contribute to the extension. Does anyone know how much savings you are aloud before you have to contribute?

kingfisherblue

It used to be the case that parents of disabled children were means tested for Disabled Facilities Grants, although I believe that this is no longer the case. When we had a wetroom built for our son, I received Carer's Allowance and my (now ex) husband had a take home pay of about £770 a month with overtime. We had £500 savings. We were assessed as having to pay £700 towards the wetroom, which cost about £17,500 at the time.

Your local council website might be able to offer more information.

Oldernotwiser

Jelly_legs wrote: »

Hi

My social worker has recommended me for having a downstairs extension to my home to accommodate a lift, wet room and space for my scooter etc.

I own my property (mortgaged). I`m pretty skint but have £5000 in savings which I`m living off at the moment.

I really can`t afford to contribute to the extension. Does anyone know how much savings you are aloud before you have to contribute?

Do you not receive any disability benefits?

Jelly_legs

I receive low rate care., which is great .....but can`t actually walk.

I`ve asked them to look at it again but DWP tell me the waiting list is 16 weeks.

I recieve child tax credits as I have a 6 yr old. Again the TC people are looking at this.

I`m actually trying to work for myself as a seamstress so I don`t qualify for anything else. I don`t think so anyway.

Oldernotwiser

If you're a lone parent you should be claiming income support.

Indie_Kid

You may qualify for ESA if your disability is severe enough for you to not be able to work.

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

You may qualify for ESA if your disability is severe enough for you to not be able to work.

The OP has said that she is able to work so ESA wouldn't be applicable.

Jelly_legs

Thanks for all the advice etc!

No, I don`t claim ESA but even though actually can`t get out to work...I can do some work from home so I can work round my fatigue and especially bad days.

JLx

Oldernotwiser

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

I think your £5,000 savings will be safe but if I were you I would remove it from your bank account because they like to see all that. The only way to stop them seeing your bank accounts is to pay 50% of costs.

Any more advice to people to cheat the system and commit fraud?

Indie_Kid

if you work more 16 hours per week, you can claim disabled persons working tax credit.

Indie_Kid

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

Its not cheating the system, the person only has £5,000 in savings that is in no way going to cover an extension and adaptations that they need.

Google deprivation of capital. From what I understand, people are asked to make a contribution (not the whole cost) depending on their savings.