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Your Home
If you live in your own home you may be entitled to a grant which will allow you to adapt your home to allow you to live more independently, and to purchase equipment which will help you in a number of day-to-day tasks.
Adapting your home
Local authorities are required by law to give Disabled Facilities Grants to eligible applicants to make houses suitable for disabled people. The Grants are available to owners and tenants in both private and social housing sectors.You may be expected to pay some of the costs, depending on your financial circumstances.
Contact your local social services department / housing authority to arrange for an assessment of the improvements and adaptations to meet your needs, and details of accessing Disabled Facilities funding.
Your local council may also be able to move you to more suitable living accommodation if this is your preference, and would offer the same help as improving or adapting the existing accommodation.
Home Improvement Agencies
If you are arranging for the work to be carried out yourself you may be able to get help from a Home Improvement Agency. They are not-for-profit organisations which advise on what work needs to be done and then project manage it on your behalf.
Agencies are coordinated by ‘Foundations’ (see below).
Foundations
The National Co-ordinating Body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) in England. HIAs are not for profit, locally based organisations that assist vulnerable homeowners to improve, maintain or adapt their home. By improving people's living conditions, HIAs enhance their quality of life and enable them to remain in their home in greater comfort and security.
Foundations, Bleaklow House, Howard Town Mill, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 8HT
Telephone: 01457 891909
Fax: 01457 869361
E-mail: foundations@cel.co.uk
The Independent Living (1993) Funds (ILF)
The Independent Living Funds are two funds set up and financed by UK central government as a national resource dedicated to the financial support of disabled people, enabling them to choose to live in the community rather than residential care.
Independent Living Funds, PO Box 7525, Nottingham, NG2 4ZT
Telephone: 0845 601 8815
Textphone: 0845 601 8816
E-mail: funds@ilf.org.uk.
