disabled ramp now refused

Old_Git

on behalf of a friend .
My friend and his son both moved into a private rental bungalow in April 2014 .

My friend is disabled and uses a wheelchair .(he is 54)
He is suppose to use the wheelchair all the time but doesn't which results in him falling .

He tripped at the front door (two steps ) and broke his foot .
The occupation therapist visited and told him he was to use his wheelchair and they would arrange a wheelchair ramp.

He was also getting a discretionary payment for his rent .
His discretionary payment ended after 6 months .
He was advised to apply for a council house (they dont have any )and then reapply for the discretionary payment.

He applied for a council house ,the council informed the occupational therapist and now they wont install a wheelchair ramp as he has asked for another house .

Any idea how he can get this ramp installed .

kingfisherblue

Is there any way he could purchase a movable ramp? That way, he could take it with him when he moves. It doesn't seem right that he wants the council to pay for a ramp but intends to move as soon as he can. After all, he could have the ramp fitted and then move house a few weeks later. He might then need another ramp in his new home, meaning that the council pay out twice. Even if he doesn't need a ramp in his next house, it would still mean that money has been spent and then the ramp no longer be needed.

Where I live, if the council alter the house to accommodate a disability, you have to sign a form saying that if you move within five years, you will repay the ones that they have spent on the alterations. It seems fair, as people could move and then ask the council for further help.

Apart from a movable ramp, I can't think of anything else. I've just googled and found https://www.theramppeople.co.uk - they have non-folding economy ramps from £39 plus VAT, but he might be able to buy without paying VAT as it is equipment specifically for disability. I think that HMRC allow certain items to be bought without VAT when it is specifically for a disabled person.

Cyclamen

will the OT supply a 'temporary ramp'?

My social services/OT fitted a metal ramp for me whilst we applied for a disabled facilities grant to put a concrete ramp in.

It wasn't pretty, made from scaffolding and metal sheeting but was fitted quickly and meant i could leave the house.. it was taken down and there was no damage to the house, existing path etc.

The council had a contract with the company and parts of my ramp had been previously used and were being reused. It's worth enquiring.

The other option is asking a local carpenter/handyman to make one..

when i got ill 5 years ago i lived in a house.. i had to sell up and move as it was unsuitable so obviously refused grants etc.. in the interim my dad built me a ramp from timber and decking so i could get in and out of house safely.. a small cost for being able to get out. So might be worth looking into.

Old_Git

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Is there any way he could purchase a movable ramp? That way, he could take it with him when he moves. It doesn't seem right that he wants the council to pay for a ramp but intends to move as soon as he can. After all, he could have the ramp fitted and then move house a few weeks later. He might then need another ramp in his new home, meaning that the council pay out twice. Even if he doesn't need a ramp in his next house, it would still mean that money has been spent and then the ramp no longer be needed.

Where I live, if the council alter the house to accommodate a disability, you have to sign a form saying that if you move within five years, you will repay the ones that they have spent on the alterations. It seems fair, as people could move and then ask the council for further help.

Apart from a movable ramp, I can't think of anything else. I've just googled and found https://www.theramppeople.co.uk - they have non-folding economy ramps from £39 plus VAT, but he might be able to buy without paying VAT as it is equipment specifically for disability. I think that HMRC allow certain items to be bought without VAT when it is specifically for a disabled person.

He is not looking to move as such .He was simply following council advise .The council do not have any suitable accommodation for him .The council referred him to the local housing association who offered him a two story house .
They said they dont have any suitable housing for him.

rogerblack

Old_Git wrote: »

He was also getting a discretionary payment for his rent .
His discretionary payment ended after 6 months .
He was advised to apply for a council house (they dont have any )and then reapply for the discretionary payment.

Who advised him to do this.
Can he afford the rent without the discretionary payment?

Old_Git

rogerblack wrote: »

Who advised him to do this.
Can he afford the rent without the discretionary payment?

The local housing advised him to do this .
Can he afford the rent good question I went to visit this morning and he had no heat on .
He said "I need to buy oil and I need to pay the rent " .
Can he afford it on benefits I dont know .

He will never work again so his options are limited .