GrantRadar

Cheshire East Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Cheshire East)

Cheshire East Council's statutory Disabled Facilities Grant pays for adaptations that make a home accessible and safe for a disabled person who lives there, up to £30,000. It is means tested, except for children and young people under 20 in full-time education, and people on some income-related benefits may not face a means test. An occupational therapist assesses what is needed, and you can top up the grant yourself for a bigger or different adaptation (a 'flexible DFG'). Homeowners who sell or transfer within ten years may have to repay part of the grant, up to £10,000.

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 living in Cheshire East, or households where a disabled person lives, where the applicant is the owner or the tenant of the property (homeowners and private tenants) and, to the best of their knowledge, plans to stay in the home for the next five years
  • The property must be the disabled person's only or main home; dwellings, qualifying houseboats and caravans are eligible
  • A parent or guardian must apply if the adaptation is for a child
  • The grant is means tested on income, savings and capital, with no upper limit to qualify: a contribution is assessed if income is above a personal allowance
  • Applications for a child or young person under 20 still in full-time education are not means tested, and people receiving certain income-related benefits may not be means tested

What it funds

  • Adaptations that make it easier to get into and out of the home
  • Making the home safe for the disabled person and other occupants
  • Access to, and within, the main family room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom or garden
  • Improving or providing a heating system, or adapting heating or lighting controls
  • Improving access and movement around the home for a disabled carer
  • Eligible fees and VAT, within the maximum grant

The grant pays only for adaptations the council assesses as necessary, appropriate and most cost-effective, and the council considers works within the existing footprint first. With a 'flexible DFG' you can pay the difference to carry out extra or different works that still meet your assessed needs.

What it will not fund

  • Works started or completed before a valid grant application
  • Costs above the most cost-effective adaptation that meets the assessed needs (you pay the difference)

How to apply

  1. Either ask for an assessment through Occupational Therapy on 0300 123 5010, option 2: an occupational therapist or social care assessor assesses your needs and, if an adaptation is needed, passes your case to the Housing service
  2. Apply directly to Housing with details of the property, the proposed work (with planning permission and building regulations approval if needed), at least two itemised contractor quotes, proof of ownership and/or consent from all owners, and details of any fees; the council provides a standard application form
  3. Provide evidence for the means test: a benefit award letter, or evidence of all income, savings, capital and relevant outgoings
  4. The council approves or refuses the application in writing
  5. Once approved, work must start within 12 months and be completed within 15 months

Social services are consulted even on a direct application. You can use the Adapt My Home Means Test Calculator to estimate any contribution. The council's Care and Repair service (careandrepair@cheshireeast.gov.uk, 0300 123 5017 option 4) can help with forms, plans and contractors; it operates a waiting list.

Have ready

  • Completed standard application form
  • Most recent award letter if you get Pension Credit Guarantee, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (assessable income no more than £15,050), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Universal Credit
  • Otherwise, evidence of all income, savings, capital and relevant outgoings
  • Details of the works and at least two itemised contractor quotes
  • Planning permission and building regulations approval, if needed
  • Proof of ownership and/or written consent of all owners
  • Details of any fees to be included in the grant

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