Staying in the existing home and adapting the home environment may not always be the best solution. The Council has exercised its discretion to make use of powers to provide discretionary assistance in the form of a Relocation Support Grant. This grant will provide funding towards relocation costs for homeowners and tenants of RPs where their existing property does not meet their needs or where they no longer need an adapted property. If the property is under occupied and the occupant is eligible for a downsizing grant this will be used to contribute towards any relocation costs. Where it is not reasonable or practicable to adapt due to the presence of major hazards or the property is not structurally suitable for adaptation, relocation to alternative accommodation may be recommended. In such circumstances the service user will be advised of the recommendation to relocate and supported to find suitable alternative accommodation. When determining whether relocation is an appropriate option, officers will take account of a person’s circumstances including the needs of the disabled person, their carers’ and family so as to ensure the outcome does not create difficulties. Due to the shortage of adapted/accessible homes officers should consider relocation throughout Cornwall however the following factors will be taken into account: Any established local support network, the degree of support provided and whether this would be significantly reduced if the service user were to move Any impact on care provision, both informal and formal care The location of the existing home and its access to local amenities such as GP, shops, clubs, transport links, which the customer uses In the case of a disabled child, where the child is settled into local schools or has non-disabled siblings settled in local schools Any issues that may restrict choice such as the need to secure shared ownership, employment issues etc. If, after considering the factors above, the OT and the disabled person consider relocation is the most appropriate solution the OT will make a referral to the Housing Solutions team/CH ltd who will explore the feasibility of suitable alternative accommodation. The OT may recommend minor adaptations or equipment to manage and reduce risks until such time as suitable accommodation is secured.
Appendix 3b - Range of Financial Assistance Type of assistance Eligible Works Eligible Applicant Assistance Repayment Certificates and Conditions Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Works that fall within a purpose as set out under section 23 of the Housing, Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996 and are determined by the Council to be necessary, appropriate, reasonable and practicable to meet the needs of a disabled person. Examples of the type of work that can be considered for assistance include- Facilitating access to the dwelling Making a building or dwelling safe dwelling safe All landlords, tenants or Licensees, occupiers of houseboats and caravans who are able to satisfy the criteria in Sections 19 to 22 of the HGC&R Act 1996 All applications must be accompanied by a certificate of future occupation The Council will determine the estimated expense which is the sum of the cost of the eligible works and the costs of any properly incurred ancillary services & charges. The maximum amount of grant for an approved application is £30,000. The disabled person, spouse or partner will be subject to a test of resources known as a ‘means test’. The means test will determine whether the grant should be reduced. The LA will place a Local Land Charge on approval of owner’s interest applications which exceed £5,000. If the property is sold, assigned or transferred within 10 years repayment may be demanded. The demand will be for an amount in excess of £5,000 but no more than £10,000. In deciding whether to Eligible works must be carried out within 12 months from date of approval of application. The eligible works must not have been begun before the application is approved. If works have commenced but are not completed the Council will vary the application so that eligible works do not include any that are completed. An application will owner- occupiers,
Facilitating adequate access to bedroom, bathroom and kitchen facilities bedroom, bathroom and/ or kitchen facilities Improving or providing heating installations Facilitating and enabling a disabled person to care for dependent residents a disabled person to care for dependant residents Facilitating access to the garden Extended warranties on platform lifts as per the Councils specification garden For a tenant’s application, the landlord must submit a certificate of intended letting and must give their consent before works can be carried out. consideration as to the following criteria: The form/status of occupation Whether the accommodation is permanent or temporary Whether it constitutes the sole or main residence Where the disabled person is a child or qualifying young person there is no means test. *Qualifying young person is a person aged 16 – 19 in ordinary, non-advanced fulltime education or approved unwaged training. recover all or part of this amount the following factors will be taken into account:- (i) the extent to which the recipient of the grant would suffer financial hardship were he to be required to repay all or any of the grant; (ii) whether the disposal of the premises is to enable the recipient of the grant to take up employment, or to change the location of his employment; (iii) whether the disposal is made for reasons not be approved if all the eligible works have been completed. Payment of grant is conditional upon the eligible works being executed to the satisfaction of the authority and upon receipt of an acceptable invoice. An acceptable invoice must satisfy the authority and is not given by the applicant or a member of his family. Specialist equipment such as stairlifts, ramping and closomat (wash/dry toilet), may be recovered by the Council
grant is in need by reason of disability or infirmity. Accessible Homes Assistance Housing solutions required to meet the needs of a disabled person that are more cost-effective than carrying out adaptations. Includes, but is not restricted to, the following works: Specialist equipment that will enable a disabled person's needs to be met at a lower cost than adapting the property To enable speedy installation of stairlifts and/or modular ramping to be undertaken and All tenants (excluding tenants of CH Ltd) or Licensees, occupiers of houseboats and caravans who are able to satisfy the criteria in Section 19 of the HGC&R Act 1996 There is no requirement to provide a certificate of future occupation or The Council will determine the estimated expense which is the sum of the cost of the eligible works and the costs of any properly incurred ancillary services & charges. No approval will exceed £5K. This assistance is discretionary and as such the council has a right to refuse funding and to determine the maximum amount of funding per application. The LA will place a Local Land Charge on approval of owner’s interest applications for each grant approved. If the property is sold, assigned or transferred within 10 years repayment may be demanded. In deciding whether to recover all or part of this amount the following factors will be taken into account:- (i) the extent to The eligible works must not have been begun before the application is approved. If works have commenced but are not completed the Council will vary the application so that eligible works do not include any that are completed. An application will not be approved if all the eligible works have been completed. Payment of grant is conditional upon the eligible works being executed to occupiers,
includes any necessary ancillary works. The repair of lifts* that are not covered by maintenance agreements or insurance and are under 10 years old. The council must be satisfied that the lift is worth repairing. *The Council will not pay for new batteries for stairlifts or work associated with repairs to lifts due to neglect or misuse. undertake a means test. which the recipient of the grant would suffer financial hardship were he to be required to repay all or any of the grant; (ii) whether the disposal of the premises is to enable the recipient of the grant to take up employment, or to change the location of his employment; (iii) whether the disposal is made for reasons connected with the physical or mental health or of the recipient of the grant or of a the satisfaction of the authority and upon receipt of an acceptable invoice. An acceptable invoice must satisfy the authority and is not given by the applicant or a member of his family. Specialised equipment, stair lifts and ramping may be recovered by the Council when no longer required.
Grant mandatory DFGs by assisting a move to a more suitable property or to offer an incentive to tenants living in adapted properties who no longer need the adaptations Removal & provision of carpets/flooring Cleaning of carpets/flooring Costs associated with the services of a private OT Furniture removal costs, of utilities. Eligible works for owner occupiers: As above plus:- Estate Agents fees, Legal and stamp duty fees, RP’s:- landlords, tenants or Licensees, and some occupiers of houseboats and caravans who are able to satisfy the criteria in Sections 19 of the HGC&R Act 1996 There is no requirement to provide a certificate of future occupation There is no means test expense for any properly incurred services & charges. No approved application will exceed £4K This assistance is discretionary and as such the council has a right to refuse funding and to determine the maximum amount of funding per application. The council must be satisfied that the new home is more suitable for the needs of the disabled occupant or that it is more reasonable and practicable to adapt. Where the new home also requires adaptation, the combined cost of the Relocation Support Grant and any DFG to adapt the new home have been incurred before the application is approved. An application will not be approved if all the eligible works have been completed prior to approval. Payment of grant is conditional upon the eligible works being executed to the satisfaction of the authority and upon receipt of an acceptable invoice. An acceptable invoice must satisfy the authority and is not given by the applicant or a member of his family.
upon sale or transfer of the property Safe & Warm Grant Necessary repairs and home improvements to address hazards associated with excess cold and falls Only essential repairs and only available where there is no other public or charitable funding available. Eligible work will be varied and may include:- re-wiring, dry lining, repairs to/replacement of doors and windows, provision of central heating, provision of stair bannisters and rails, alteration to stairs, changing carpets, repairs to external steps etc. CHS will target this funding to eligible recipients of DFG/AHA and discharge scheme. Eligible applicants are home owners over 60 years of age who are at high risk of falls as advised by an Assessor from EHSC. Maximum grant of £10K. One grant per property. Grant secured by a legal charge on the property. 100% of the grant plus associated fees to be repaid on sale or transfer.