Have you ever thought of a home lift as a solution to mobility issues for either a relative or yourself but been put off by the cost? Then it is certainly worth investigating the Disabled Facilities Grant. This is a government-funded grant that covers the cost of making adaptations to a home that ensure that a disabled person can live a fulfilling and independent life there.
The DFG is provided and administered by your local authority to help make changes that may be needed in the home, such as creating safer bathing areas, widening doors and installing ramps for wheelchair access, or indeed it is quite possible to make a change giving you improved access to all floors of your home. A home lift can be one of the most life changing improvements it is possible to make to a disabled person’s quality of life at home.
For a disabled person to be able to get up and downstairs in a two-storey home without having to manage the stairs or to remove the struggle and worry of getting on and off a stairlift can provide independence that would otherwise be impossible. For some, it may be absolutely the only solution that could enable an individual to stay in their home.
For qualifying individuals, Disabled Facilities Grants offer funding of up to £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland, so it is quite possible to fund some or all of the work to install a through floor lift with the grant itself. How much a qualifying individual will receive will depend on their of income and any savings over £6,000. If the grant is being sought on behalf of a child under the age of 18, the grant is not means tested.
At Home Lift Experts, we find that the most popular type of domestic lifts currently available are non-hydraulic home lifts, in part due to their lower cost of installation and maintenance. This makes them a viable contender for a Disabled Facilities Grant for some customers. DFG’s are mandatory, meaning that a Local Authority must provide a grant to a disabled person who meets all the required conditions.
Homeowners can apply directly, though Grants are also available to people living in rented accommodation if the application is made through their Landlord. If you think you may be eligible, the first step is to contact your local authority so visit www.gov.uk/apply-disabled-facilities-grant to enter your postcode. This should provide you with the relevant council’s contact details and more information as to what to do next.
Once the process is underway, the Local Authority will then organise an assessment to determine what would be required. Following this, if you are approved the Council can advise on the size of the contribution they are able to make. In some cases however, a Local Authority may decide to give discretionary assistance for adaptations in addition to or instead of a mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant.
If approved, the Local Authority will have a list of approved companies who can do the work, or you may find that the domestic lift company are able to arrange to both supply and install. The council will then agree a payment schedule with the contractor appointed to do the work once your application has been approved. You may find that a home lift is, in fact, well within your reach. For information call the Home Lift Experts team on 0808 250 3647 or complete our contact us form.
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