Disabled facilities grant

Who is eligible for the grants?

For the purposes of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and The Regulatory Reform Order (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, a person is disabled if:

a) Their sight, hearing or speech is substantially impaired; or
b) They have a mental disorder or impairment of any kind; or
c) They are physically substantially disabled by illness, injury, impairment present from birth, or otherwise.

A person aged eighteen or over will be regarded as disabled if:

a) They are registered in pursuance of any arrangements made under section 29(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948 ('disabled persons' welfare); or
b) They are a person for whom welfare arrangements have been made under the provision or, in the opinion of the social services authority, might be made under it.

A person under 18 will be regarded as being disabled if:

a) They are registered in a register of disabled children maintained under paragraph 2 of schedule 2 to the Children Act 1989; or
b) They are, in the opinion of the social services authority, a disabled child as defined for the purposes of Part III of the Children Act 1989 (local authority support for children and their families).

Points to note

• works must not be started until formal grant approval has been received
• there may be certain instances where a grant cannot be given as certain criteria cannot be met by the applicant e.g. cannot demonstrate the requisite interest in the dwelling, or provide a certificate of future occupation, or a disabled person's home cannot be classed as a "dwelling"
• it may be that the works requested are not considered reasonable or practical. In these instances the Welfare Authority, the County Council, still has a duty to assist with the adaptations or alternative schemes where they have indicated the works necessary and appropriate
• Borough Council officers carry out the means testing of all Disabled Facilities Grant applicants
• details of disabled facilities grant works are determined by the Borough Council
• our Home Improvement Agency provider, Millbrook Healthcare, can produce plans and specifications, arrange quotes and contractors and supervise disabled facilities grant works. Fees for such work can be included in any grant paid.
• building regulation approval and planning permission may be required for some adaptations
• grants can sometimes be paid in stages as work progresses
• applicants have twelve months from the date of approval in which to complete works
• if within 10 years from the date of approval the applicant, the qualified owner, disposes of their interest in the premises, and the amount of grant exceeded £5,000, The Authority may demand repayment of the sum of the grant that exceeds £5,000. Such a demand may not be less than £500 or exceed an amount in excess of £10,000 and must be reasonable in all the circumstances

How do I apply?

As a first step, you should either contact the Social Care Team of Surrey County Council or the Housing Improvements Officer at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, to discuss your situation.

If it appears that you may be eligible for a grant, an Occupational Therapist from the Social Care Team will need to carry out an assessment of your needs. They will consider with you and, if appropriate, your family and carer, what adaptations are necessary. They will submit a report containing these recommendations to us and our Home Improvement Agency provider, Millbrook Healthcare, to start the grant process.

We also offer small works grants and loans.

Contact

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council

• Telephone: 01737 276 417
• Email: environmental.protection@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
• Address: Environmental Health, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 0SH

Surrey County Council Social Care Team Banstead, Redhill, Reigate & Horley Areas:

• Telephone: 01737 737 179
• Email: reigate.bansteadlocalityteam@surreycc.gov.uk

Millbrook Healthcare Ltd:

• Phone: 0330 124 3758
• Email: surreyhia@millbrookhealthcare.co.uk
• Address: Millbrook Healthcare Ltd East Surrey, 1 Alma Building, Brewer Street, Bletchingley, Surrey, RH1 4QP.

Financial assistance policy

Financial assistance for adaptations and repairs policy