Disabled facilities grant & savings

TaBunny

Hello

Please be kind this is my first post in about 8 years. I've not been good.
Anyway I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I tried a search but couldn't find an exact answer. 
My problem is this. In I need major works done in my housing association house: new stairlift replacement, closimat toilet & full wet room. I am not working in too ill, I am on high rate pip for both and all I live off of is a lump sum I received when my parents passed away. I don't have any other money coming in, no housing or council tax benefit. I have looked up disabled facilities grant and it has a very complicated formula regards what is added to your income from your savings but I don't have any income I just have this money to live on and once it's gone I'll be back on UC through no other choice. Sorry this is long winded but I don't understand if I'm still eligible for a grant. Can anyone help me work it out?

Spoonie_Turtle

TaBunny said:

Hello

Please be kind this is my first post in about 8 years. I've not been good.
Anyway I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I tried a search but couldn't find an exact answer. 
My problem is this. In I need major works done in my housing association house: new stairlift replacement, closimat toilet & full wet room. I am not working in too ill, I am on high rate pip for both and all I live off of is a lump sum I received when my parents passed away. I don't have any other money coming in, no housing or council tax benefit. I have looked up disabled facilities grant and it has a very complicated formula regards what is added to your income from your savings but I don't have any income I just have this money to live on and once it's gone I'll be back on UC through no other choice. Sorry this is long winded but I don't understand if I'm still eligible for a grant. Can anyone help me work it out?

If your savings reduce below £16000 you should be eligible for UC.  If that happens before you are assessed for the grant, you may automatically be eligible for it due to being on UC, depending on your council (afaik - that may be the case for all councils but I don't know).

If your lump sum is a lot higher than that still, I'm sorry I can't help - have recently looked into it myself and couldn't make head nor tail of the formula!

orchid2010

We had the same circumstances, housing association, living off inheritance money so no benefits apart from DLA (at that time).  We contacted our local council and asked about a DF  grant they sent an occupational therapist who looked at what needed doing, we did not qualify because of our savings.  We received an official refusal and this was reported back to our housing association (the ladies fron the council were really helpful with this).  The HA arranged for some of the work to be done almost immediately.  As we needed a wet room and our bathroom was upstairs and they do not normally do this type of adaption in a 'family house' but after a bit of pushing they agreed to do it and paid for everything to be done.  

Savvy_Sue

I'd say it's definitely worth speaking to your housing officer: the HA will know all about DFGs, and it's possible they've got access to other pots of money for this kind of work.

TaBunny

orchid2010 said:

We had the same circumstances, housing association, living off inheritance money so no benefits apart from DLA (at that time).  We contacted our local council and asked about a DF  grant they sent an occupational therapist who looked at what needed doing, we did not qualify because of our savings.  We received an official refusal and this was reported back to our housing association (the ladies fron the council were really helpful with this).  The HA arranged for some of the work to be done almost immediately.  As we needed a wet room and our bathroom was upstairs and they do not normally do this type of adaption in a 'family house' but after a bit of pushing they agreed to do it and paid for everything to be done.  

This sounds exactly the same as my situation. I've already been assessed by an OT but then my parents have passed away since it's such a minefield. Thank you I will call the housing tomorrow and see if they can advise but I know years ago they said if I needed stuff done they'd more than likely rather move me to a flat as this is an old house and the only one they own in the road, I don't want to move over been here nearly 30 years. 

TaBunny

Savvy_Sue said:

I'd say it's definitely worth speaking to your housing officer: the HA will know all about DFGs, and it's possible they've got access to other pots of money for this kind of work.

P.s. Sue I remember you from way back in the beginning of mse 😊

Savvy_Sue

TaBunny said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I'd say it's definitely worth speaking to your housing officer: the HA will know all about DFGs, and it's possible they've got access to other pots of money for this kind of work.

P.s. Sue I remember you from way back in the beginning of mse 😊

Not quite - but from quite early, yes!

Savvy_Sue

TaBunny said:

orchid2010 said:

We had the same circumstances, housing association, living off inheritance money so no benefits apart from DLA (at that time).  We contacted our local council and asked about a DF  grant they sent an occupational therapist who looked at what needed doing, we did not qualify because of our savings.  We received an official refusal and this was reported back to our housing association (the ladies fron the council were really helpful with this).  The HA arranged for some of the work to be done almost immediately.  As we needed a wet room and our bathroom was upstairs and they do not normally do this type of adaption in a 'family house' but after a bit of pushing they agreed to do it and paid for everything to be done.  

This sounds exactly the same as my situation. I've already been assessed by an OT but then my parents have passed away since it's such a minefield. Thank you I will call the housing tomorrow and see if they can advise but I know years ago they said if I needed stuff done they'd more than likely rather move me to a flat as this is an old house and the only one they own in the road, I don't want to move over been here nearly 30 years. 

I can understand that, but personally, I wouldn't rule out moving altogether. 

You need a new stairlift and new specialist bathroom. For how long will the house - even with those adaptations - remain suitable for your needs? Honestly, I don't wish to be hard-hearted, and the timing may not be right for you, but do consider the future. 

orchid2010

They did suggest moving us to a bungalow but as OH was so ill they decided it would be too traumatic for us to move.

otherpaulsmith

Hi. I've been working on a DFG Calculator - but the site won't let me share the link. There is also a ready reckoner on the adaptmyhome website