If you have a disability, an adaptation is an alteration or piece of equipment that makes it easier and safer for you to access and remain independent in your home.

Adaptations vary depending on your individual needs and can range from simple equipment, such as grab rails, to larger adaptations including ramps, level access showers and home extensions where necessary.

A disabled facilities adaptation is an alteration or piece of equipment that makes it easier and safer for a disabled person to access and remain independent in their home.

In many cases, the Council can help eligible applicants with the cost of an adaptation following an assessment by an Occupational Therapist.

Home adaptations aim to improve quality of life by helping people remain as independent as possible. They can reduce the impact of a disability and help people continue living safely in their own home.

Occupational Therapists and Enablement Officers employed by Flintshire County Council's Social Services are skilled in carrying out assessments and making recommendations about the type of changes that will support you, your family or carers in daily life.

As part of the assessment, all options will be considered including changes to lifestyle, different techniques, specialist equipment or where appropriate moving to more suitable property. The recommended work or equipment will always be the first option, as it is the most cost-effective way of meeting your needs.

In some cases, simple equipment such as grab rails may provide the support you need. Some people choose to purchase this equipment themselves with the right advice and information.

If you think you may need an assessment, please contact:

Single Point of Access

• Telephone:  01352 702000
• Email: ssduty@flintshire.gov.uk

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is financial assistance to help pay for essential adaptations to your home.

Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants are provided under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.

The maximum mandatory grant available in Wales is £36,000. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be required to contribute towards the cost of the work.

 You may be able to apply if you are:

• A homeowner
• A tenant renting from a private landlord
• A resident of a park home
• Living in a houseboat

If you receive one of the qualifying passported benefits listed below or the application is for a child, you can receive a Disabled Facilities Grant of up to £36,000 without making a financial contribution.

Qualifying benefits include:

• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit (excluding single persons discount)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Pension Credit Guarantee
• Universal Credit
• Income Related Employment Support Allowance

If you do not receive one of these benefits or the application is not for a child, you may be required to provide details of your income and capital together with your partner's income and capital (where applicable). This information will be used to carry out a Means Test, which will determine whether you are required to contribute towards the cost of the work.

If your grant is £10,000 or less, you will not be required to repay the grant.

If your grant award is for large structural works you may have to repay up to £20,000. If the cost of works exceeds the Mandatory Grant limit of £36,000, you may have to repay any amount above that figure up to the Top Up policy limit. This would only occur if you sell or transfer your property within 10 years of the work being completed, in accordance with the Council's Disabled Facilities Grant Policy.

If you remain in your home for 10 years or more you will not be required to repay the grant.

Once an Occupational Therapist has carried out an assessment, a completed Adaptation Request Form and Disabled Facilities Grant Application Form will be passed to the Disabled Facilities Grant Team. These forms will specify the adaptations recommended to meet your needs.

An Adaptation Surveyor will then visit your property to assess whether the proposed works are feasible. We need to ensure the works are necessary and appropriate to meet your needs, as well as reasonable and practicable, taking into account the age and condition of the property.

If a financial assessment (means test) is required, you will be asked to provide details of your income and capital together with any supporting evidence. Once your assessment has been completed, you will be advised whether you are required to make a contribution towards the cost of the work.

If you privately rent your home, your landlord will need to complete a landlord consent form before any work can be carried out. A member of the Occupational Therapy team will provide you with this form.

If requested, please return the completed means test form, supporting evidence of your income and capital and landlord consent form (where applicable) to the Disabled Facilities Grant Team.

Once we have completed the means test, we will contact you to let you know whether you are required to make a contribution towards the cost of the work. If you are happy to proceed with your application, we will send you a confirmation letter together with any declaration that needs to be signed and returned within 14 days of the date of the letter.

If we do not receive the completed means test form, supporting evidence, landlord consent form (where applicable) and signed declarations within the requested timescales, your application may be withdrawn.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Disabled Facilities Grant Team

• Telephone: 01352 703434 or 01352 703424
• Email - disabled.facilities.grants@flintshire.gov.uk