Brentwood Borough Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Brentwood)

The statutory Disabled Facilities Grant in Brentwood: up to £30,000 towards adaptations a disabled person needs to live at home independently and safely, such as stair lifts, level-access showers, hoists and ramps. Tenants, owner-occupiers, disabled people living in a family member's home and parents of a disabled child can apply. It starts with an occupational therapy assessment from Essex County Council's Adult Social Care team, who recommend the works to the council. The grant is means tested unless the disabled person is a child or receives a passporting benefit.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £30,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Disabled people in Brentwood borough who are tenants or owner-occupiers, where the property is their only or main residence; disabled people living in a family member's property (the family member must own it and it must be the disabled person's only or main residence); and parents of a disabled child
An occupational therapist from Essex County Council's Adult Social Care team must assess the person and recommend the adaptations
The grant is means tested: a disabled person receiving Housing Benefit, guarantee Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Child or Working Tax Credit with family income below £15,460 is passported, and a disabled child or young person under 19 is eligible regardless of family income; otherwise the council assesses income and savings and the applicant may have to contribute
Applicants sign a certificate that they intend to live in the home for at least five years; tenants need the owner's permission

What it funds

Adaptations such as stair lifts, level access showers, hoists and ramps for people who need them to live at home independently and safely
Easier access to and from the home
Access to a lavatory, bath or shower or wash-hand basin

architect's or agent's fees may be included in the grant, but are only paid if the grant goes ahead.

What it will not fund

Adaptations the occupational therapist does not consider essential to meeting the disabled person's needs
Works the council does not consider reasonable and practicable
Work started before the grant is approved

work must be completed within 12 months of the formal grant offer. Maintenance, servicing and repair of fittings such as stair lifts after the warranty expires is the owner's responsibility.

How to apply

Contact an occupational therapist from Essex County Council's Adult Social Care team on 0345 603 7630 for an assessment
The occupational therapist sends a recommendation for the adaptations to Brentwood Borough Council
Complete the council's application form and financial assessment form
Obtain estimates for the work (normally two or three) and any plans, planning permission and building regulation approval needed
Once the council accepts a formal application, wait for its decision before ordering any work

the council must say within six months of a valid application whether it will offer a grant. Independent Living Advocacy Essex or Citizens Advice may help with the application.

Have ready

Application form, including a certificate that you intend to live in the home for at least five years
Financial assessment form, unless you receive a passporting benefit
Proof of ownership (a land registry check is done, or the deeds), or the owner's permission if you rent
Estimates for the work, as the council requires
Professional drawings, planning permission and building regulation approval for large adaptations

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