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Home Improvements - Disabled Facility Grant For A Private Property

If you or someone living in your property is disabled you may qualify for a disabled facilities grant (DFG) towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities to enable the disabled person to continue to live there.  Such grants are given by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council under Part 1 of the Housing, Grants and Regeneration Act 1996 as amended by the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002.  This page briefly describes the help available and how to go about applying for a grant.

What is a disabled facilities grant for?

Works to facilitate access and to enable a disabled person to move freely into and around the dwelling and to enjoy the facilities or amenities within it.  These may include:
      

• Facilitating access to and from the dwelling to the street outside;
• Facilitating access to a family living room;
• Facilitating access to a bedroom or providing a new bedroom accessible by the   disabled person;
• Facilitating access to bathing and toilet facilities suitable for use by the disabled person, adapting existing facilities for that person or providing suitable facilities;
• Providing facilities for the preparation and cooking of food where appropriate;
• Works to enable a disabled person to have full use of heating, lighting and power controls, e.g. relocation of power points and switches, adapting controls;
• Adapting or improving a heating system suitable for use by a disabled person;
• Works to enable a disabled person better access around the dwelling to care for a dependant relative;
•  Works to make a dwelling safe for a disabled person, such as minimising the risk of danger from violent or boisterous behaviour or improvements to compensate for sensory impairment.

All such works must be supported by a report from the Community Occupational Therapist to confirm that they are necessary and suitable for the disabled person.  The works must also reasonable and practicable within the dwelling concerned.

Who can apply?
  

• All applicants must be over 18 years of age;
• Owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants may apply.

How much grant will I get?
   

• A means test is applied to the person for whom the adaptations are sought and their partner or spouse, regardless of whether or not they are the grant applicant.  A figure I calculated which should reflect that person’s ability to contribute.  In the case of a minor (under 18) the means test does not apply.
• The maximum grant payable is £30 000.

To make an application or for further advice please contact the Private Sector Housing Team using the details below.