Grants for disabled adaptations are available to help you live more comfortably in your own home by providing the necessary alterations to meet your needs.
You may apply for a grant if you are:
Homeowners, Private Tenants, Registered Provider Tenants in the Borough
Before applying, you will need to be seen by an Occupational Therapist (OT). The OT will visit your home to carry out an assessment of your needs. Please contact Suffolk County Council to arrange this; call 0800 121 7711 or email ILS@suffolk.gov.uk
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) work with Suffolk County Council with assisting disabled adaptations. They have developed a service to help disabled residents live at home more independently.
As part of the grant process, IBC will:
IBC will support you with your application and will visit to:
Before the Council can approve the grant, we will need the completed application form and the information we have asked for.
Please note, grants will not be paid for works that have already started.
Grants for disabled adaptations are available for works that will help you to remain in your property, such as:
These are only examples. Other works may qualify for a grant, in consultation with Suffolk Social Care Services. If in doubt - please ask.
When applying for a grant for disabled adaptations you will be asked to sign a Certificate of Future Occupation stating that throughout the grant condition period you intend to occupy the property as your only or main residence.
A breach of the conditions may mean that the grant must be repaid.
The grant condition period lasts for:
If the grant amount is for a sum of £5,000 or over the Council may demand repayment of the part of the grant that exceeds £5,000 but may not demand an amount in excess of £10,000.
The maximum amount of grant assistance that can be offered is currently £30,000.
Minor Disabled Facilities Grant: non-means-tested fast-track grant
This is a new initiative that provides a better and simplified process to speed up adaptations, removing the need for a means test for minor adaptations. The grants are for minor adaptations designed to assist and support residents and their families cope with the challenges of living at home with long term conditions as part of home care support package for minor adaptations to property to help people remain at home or when the home cannot be fully adapted.
The minor adaptation grants are open to all Homeowners, Private Tenants and Registered Provider Tenants in the Borough. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis but may include but is not limited to the following eligible works: -Talking reminder clocks, Labelling / Sticker Booklet, Installation of a Key Safe, Grab Rails, Motion senor lights, Pressure sensor equipment, Removing Door Thresholds, Installation of a Level Access Shower, installation of stairlifts, Installing Pivot Hinges, Widening Doors, Ramps.
This is a fast-track grant with no means test required. Applicants can be considered for a Minor Disabled Facilities Grant when:
Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant
Type of Assistance
In cases where the cost of the works agreed through the Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant application is above the £30,000 threshold. The Council may consider whether to allow up to an additional £15,000 of work to be carried out under the Discretionary DFG, top up fund. This is a discretionary grant and whether to award it, will be dependent on the individual’s needs, circumstances, and the funds available. A charge will be registered against the property making some of the grant repayable if the property is sold or disposed of within 10 years of the works being completed. The charge will be in addition to the mandatory DFG charge
Before you apply for a grant you will need to contact Suffolk County Council on 0800 1217711 or email: ILS@suffolk.gov.uk
An Occupational Therapist will assess your needs and make a recommendation if they feel that adaptations to your home would enable you to be independent. IBC will then continue the disabled facilities grant process with you if you are eligible.
Housing Assistance Policy 2021