Help for Those Not Eligible for a Grant

Help for those not eligible for a grant

We know that a lot of older, or people with disabilities, do not qualify for a grant but may still need help to organise the grant and works. If you do not qualify for a grant, we can still help you in the same way and you can pay us directly.

We often refer to this as “private works” and we complete about 20 self-funded adaptations each year.

Private works: Helping you adapt your home without grant funding

Those who are self-funding may have had an assessment by an occupational therapist (OT) already or they can fund a private IOT to complete the assessment if the needs are complex. If your needs are simple for instance, you need a level access shower, a new boiler, ramp or widened doorways (amongst other adaptations) one of our trained Trusted Assessors may also complete an assessment.

We would always recommend a thorough OT assessment as the best option, but we realise that there can be long waiting lists so we try to help where we can.

If you choose to appoint us as your agents to do your work on a self-funded basis, a caseworker will visit to explain the process. If you choose to go ahead, we will ask for an initial deposit which is refunded if the works are completed, otherwise it is non-refundable. When the works have been agreed we will then ask you for a 50% payment to safeguard the order that we will be placing on your behalf. If you do not proceed after the payment has been made, this will be refunded to you minus the deposit.

Once the materials and works have started, we will oversee the work, liaise with the contractor and building control if needed and make sure the adaptation meets your needs. As the works are not being funded by a grant, you will also have more choice about what you would like and how much you wish to spend.

Once the work is completed, you will be asked for the final payments and then issued with any warranties or documents you need.

Using us as a self-funder gives reassurance. We are part of the council and so we are publicly accountable and accessible.