Housing Improvement Grants
Allerdale Borough Council offer a series of grants which are available for vulnerable people who need to make improvements or adaptations in their homes. There are several types of grants available for people with disabilities.
Unfortunately, the budget for the following grants has been fully allocated for 2018/19 and we are unable to process any further applications at this time:
- Discretionary Disability Grant
- Safe and Warm Grant
- Empty Property Assistance Grant
Keep Well, Keep Warm - information and financial support for the winter months
More information and maintaining good health during winter and the financial help available for the over 60s, low-income families and people living with a disability can be found on these Keep Warm Keep Well leaflets .
A summary of each of the available grants is below:
Disabled residents can apply for up to £30,000 to adapt their homes to help them to maintain an independent lifestyle. This grant is available for homeowners or tenants living in either private or housing association properties.
The grant can cover works such as:
- Improving access to rooms and facilities. This might mean, for example, stairlifts, level access showers and door widening
- Adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
- Providing a heating system that suits your needs
- Improving the entrances to your home and access to your garden.
A top-up grant is also available should essential work exceed the £30,000 limit.
Assistance: Disabled Facilities Grant
Target group: People with disabilities
Maximum grant: £30,000
Type of grant: Grant
Eligibility criteria: Adaptions are recommended after an assessment by an occupational therapist
Means tested?: Yes, excluding children
Assistance: Disabled Facilities Top Up Grant
Target group: People with disabilities
Maximum grant: £10,000
Type of grant: Discretionary grant
Eligibility criteria: Where the cost of the works exceeds the £30,000 maximum Disabled Facilities Grant
Means tested?: N/A
Up to £3,000 is available to disabled residents who require changes to their home, which is deemed as not reasonable or practical to adapt.
The funding will cover some of the costs needed to relocate to more suitable housing. The grant will contribute towards reasonable costs associated with moving home, including removal costs, estate agents fees, legal costs or the disconnection and reconnection of household appliances.
These grants are means tested and subject to a referral from an occupational therapist who will undertake an assessment of need and determine what works are essential to enable the occupier to live independently and safely in their home.
Assistance: Disabled Relocation Grant
Target group: People with disabilities
Maximum grant: £3,000
Type of grant: Discretionary grant
Eligibility criteria: Existing home cannot be adapted; a more suitable property has been found
Means tested?: No
Assistance: Discretionary Disability Grant Assistance
Target group: People with disabilities
Maximum grant: £30,000
Type of grant: Grant assistance
Eligibility criteria: Dual residency of a child or adult (not means tested); meets adult social care means test (means tested); Care Act eligible works after hospital discharge (means tested); stair lift referral (not means tested)
The Safe and Warm Grant Assistance has been introduced to carry out work in the homes of vulnerable owner occupied households. Residents can apply for up to £15,000 to contribute towards the work, including improvements to security, heating installations and general disrepair, as well as measures to reduce the consequences of flooding. These grants are means tested and applicants must meet the necessary criteria.
Assistance: Safe and Warm Grant Assistance
Target group: Homeowners
Maximum grant: £25,000
Type of grant: Grant assistance
Eligibility criteria: Qualifying means tested benefit; disability or armed forces benefits; age 60+; cold related health issue; owner occupier
Means tested?: Yes
Empty property grants
Up to £10,000 is available for owners of homes that have been empty for more than 12 months, to bring the properties back into use.
The grant covers 75 per cent of the price of the works and homeowners are expected to contribute towards the remaining costs.
Eligible work can include:
- energy efficiency and renewable energy measures to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions
- works to bring the property up to the Decent Homes Standard
- fire safety measures
- home security measures
We will assess the financial means and capital assets of applicants to determine their ability to pay their 25 per cent contribution and any costs over and above the grant maximum.
Unfortunately the budget for 2018/19 has been allocated. We are currently operating a waiting list for future applications, however, we cannot guarantee budgets at this time.
Contact the housing team on the contact details below for more information.
Apply for a grant
You can apply for a disabled facility adaption grant by contacting our Housing Grants team via email at housing.grants@allerdale.gov.uk or tel 0303 123 1702 .
