Capital resources The total amount of capital funding committed to the policy is up to £400, 000 in 2017/18. This funding comes from the central DFG allocation via the Better Care Board. Because long term commitments are not known there will be an annual review of the policy. Assistance is available subject to funding. The assistance offered Assistance being offered Eligibility criteria & conditions Means test Amount available Relocation Grants to support people eligible for a DFG it is more suitable for them to move rather than remain in their current property Eligible for DFG Available to owner – occupiers and private tenants where it is not reasonable or practicable to adapt to meet the disabled person’s assessed needs Conditions: 1.Before proceeding with the process of moving, the property proposed as the new home must be confirmed as suitable by the council’s Housing Adaptations Service. 2. Property to remain in owner-occupation for five years following the move. (not applicable for private tenants) Subject to DFG means test Maximum of £20,000 to cover the costs arising from the following: estate agents fees (limited to a maximum of 1.5% of the property value) stamp duty (limited to a maximum amount of £7,500) solicitors fees valuation fees mortgage arrangement fees removal costs necessary utility and service set up costs adaptations to make the property suitable Hospital Discharge Grants to support any older or disabled person being discharged from hospital Any person aged 65 or over or disabled person being discharged from hospital to home - owner-occupier, private tenant or housing association tenant. Conditions 1. referral from social care or hospital rehabilitation/intermediate care teams, discharge coordinator, hospital social care team or Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) 2 excludes packages of care funded by NHS continuing healthcare Not subject to means test Maximum of £2,500 The grant is not specified, so any work that supports the discharge from hospital to home is eligible under the criteria including: minor works, such as clutter clearance/deep cleaning urgent home repairs hazards removal heating systems repaired/emergency heating provided Dispensing with the means test Eligible for DFG Adaptations assessed as Not subject to test Maximum of £5,000
to cover the most common adaptations carried out i.e. stair lifts and level access showers necessary and appropriate, reasonable and practicable supported with an Occupational Therapist/OT Assistant recommendation. Warm, Safe Homes Grants to help low income home owners and private tenants to quickly access financial assistance for a wide range of minor adaptations and repairs to reduce risks of accidents in the home Available to and private tenants where the household is in fuel poverty measured by the Low Income High Costs (LIHC) indicator i.e. they have fuel costs above the national average & spending this amount leaves them with an income below the official poverty line, or the household in receipt of Housing Benefit or any of the other ‘passporting benefit’ for DFG Subject to test Maximum of £5,000 to costs arising from: electrical and gas safety checks and repairs repairs or modifications to stairs, floors and steps safety and security repairs boiler repairs or replacement loft/cavity wall insulation, including loft clearance. Handyperson services – to help with small building repairs, minor adaptations, general home safety checks and remedial actions, falls and accident prevention checks Available to and private tenants Subject to DFG means test Maximum of £2,500 Home safety checks falls and accident prevention checks Remedial works such as: repairing floor coverings installing locks, chains and spyholes. Fast – track adaptations - to fund adaptations up to £5,000 using other housing professionals such as Private Sector Housing Officers ( PSHO) or Trusted Assessors, Eligible for DFG Adaptations assessed as necessary and appropriate by a PSHO or Trusted Assessor supported with a written recommendation Not subject to means test Maximum £5,000 Straight forward adaptations that do not need the specialist assessment of an Occupational Therapist (OT) such as external door intercom & automatic door systems Making homes dementia friendly – to help people with dementia, to make changes to the home that would support them to live in their own home safely and for longer. Any person diagnosed with dementia – private tenant or housing association tenant Conditions 1 referral from adult social care or hospital teams, advocate, voluntary and community sector 2 excludes packages of care Not subject to means test Maximum £2,500