North Ayrshire Council

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Improvement Grants for the Disabled

The Improvement Grants for the Disabled scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of essential adaptation work to make a house fit for a disabled person.  New legislation was introduced from 1st April 2009 providing a minimum 80% Grant for Disabled applicants.

Disabled Grants will only be considered when accompanied by a written referral from Social Services Occupational Therapists.  Once we have received a referral from Social Services a Grant Monitoring Officer will arrange to visit you and then advise you in writing of the availability of a Grant and how to apply.

The following points may assist you to understand the process and the way in which the Improvement Grant for the Disabled is administered:

1. There are no valuation band limits in respect of Improvement Grant for the Disabled.
2. No grant is available for improvements to a 'second home' i.e. a house which is not the main or sole residence of you or a member of your family unless the house is let or kept available for letting.
3. Grants will be available where the works relate to:-
   • Works of alteration or enlargement required to make the house suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a Disabled occupant.
   • Disabled person means a person who is handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity.
   • Qualifying works must be structural and permanent in nature and the provision of equipment is not covered by the improvement grant scheme.
   • Works could include:-
     • Alteration to bathroom - Discretionary
     • Alteration to kitchen - Discretionary
     • Provision of suitable alternative bath/shower or WC facilities - Mandatory
     • Installation of grab rails - Discretionary
     • Door widening - Discretionary
     • Provision of ramps - Discretionary
     • Provision of permanent lifts or hoists - Discretionary

If, having read the above, you wish to apply for an Improvement Grant for the Disabled, the process to be followed is:-

1. Contact the Grant Monitoring Officer for assistance in completing a Grant Enquiry Form (PDF, 40kb)
2. A visit will be made by the Grant Monitoring Officer and you will be notified in writing of the likely grant available and how to apply.  The relevant application form(s) will be issued to you accordingly.
3. Before replying to your enquiry the Grant Monitoring Officer will arrange for the Occupational Therapist from Social Services to visit your home and provide a written assessment of your requirements to make the house suitable.  North Ayrshire Council will only consider grant for works where these are contained in the Social Work report.
4. When submitting your application you must include at least two competitive estimates for the works.
5. The estimates should show the name and price of any sub-contractor.
6. If not shown on the estimates a brief specification and description of the works should be prepared.
7. No sub-contractor should be common to the two estimates.
8. VAT is not normally charged on works of improvement for the disabled.  Your contractor may require a VAT exemption statement from you and the Grant Monitoring Officer will supply a form on request.
9. Professional fees should be shown separately.
10. A copy of the Feu Disposition (part of the Title Deeds) or a copy of the Land Registration document must accompany the application and you should make arrangements with your Solicitor or Building Society to have the copy titles submitted.
11. You may wish to authorise payment of your grant direct to an Architect/Agent or Contractor.  The Grant Monitoring Officer will supply a mandate on request and the completed mandate should accompany your application.
12. Proof of income/expenditure must be submitted with your application.  Details of documents required are contained in the notes provided with your application pack.
13. All relevant documents should be sent to the Head of Infrastructure and Design Services at the address detailed at the top of the page.
14. Depending on the nature of your proposals you may also require Planning Permission and a Building Warrant and you should check this with Development Management located in Cunninghame House - 01294-324348.
15. The Head of Infrastructure and Design Services will approve your application and you will be advised in writing of this decision.
16. After your proposals have been approved you may instruct the works to proceed.  Social Services will also be advised of any grant approval.
17. If any works are started prior to official improvement grant approval you may lose grant.  You must have written approval of your grant application before work commences.  In certain EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, a letter of authorisation may be issued prior to approval.  Contact your Grant Monitoring Officer for advice.
18. When the work is completed, contact your Grant Monitoring Officer who will arrange for a final inspection and will wish to see the final accounts.
19. The Grant Monitoring Officer will require that the Contractor's Certificate(s) of Completion of Works be submitted to him with the final accounts.
20. If everything is in order, arrangements will then be made for payment to you, your Agent or Contractor.

For further information please contact the Grants Monitoring Officer, or you can post or email a Grant Enquiry Form  to the above contact details.

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