FI15550
Request
1. Does the local authority offer Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) above the statutory maximum and, if yes, how is this delivered:
- Top ups (paid for by the local authority)?
- Loans?
- Other (please specify)
2. What is the total number of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) applications A) received and B) accepted by the local authority that have been above the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) statutory maximum amount over the following periods:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024?
3. Are there any other means in which adaptations are funded by the local authority (if so please specify)?
4. What was the local authority’s Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budget for the periods:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024?
5. What proportion of the local authority’s Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budget was spent during the periods:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024
6. What is the process for means-testing applicants for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) in your local authority?
7. Are there any exemptions to the means test for people with rapidly progressive terminal conditions, such as MND in your local authority?
8. Are there any circumstances in which the DFG mandatory means test is waived and, if so, what are those circumstances? (e.g. for adaptations under a certain cost or of a certain type)
9. Has your local authority conducted any assessments (including an Impact Equality Assessment) or reviews on the appropriateness of means testing for individuals with rapidly progressive terminal conditions, such as MND or disability more widely?
10. Do you currently have a fast-track application process in place to provide Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding more rapidly to applicants with urgent needs? If yes, what are the eligibility criteria to access this process?
11. How many DFG applications were A) received under the fast-track process (if applicable) and B) how many of these were approved under the fast-track process during the period:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024
12. Does your local authority maintain a record or register of accessible homes available for individuals with disabilities, including those living with progressive terminal conditions, such as MND
13. If such a register exists, how is it updated and made available to individuals and families in need of accessible housing?
14. If no record is maintained, are there any plans to develop a database or register of accessible homes in your local authority?
For the below questions use your definitions of small, medium and large adaptations.
15. What was the average time taken (in days) complete the assessment of A) small, B) medium and C) large-sized adaptations under the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) during the period:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024?
16. What was the average time taken (in days) from the approval of A) small, B) medium and C) large-sized Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to the completion of the installation during the period:
- April 2021 to March 2022
- April 2022 to March 2023
- April 2023 to March 2024
Response
1. No.
2. As follows:
3. No.
4. As follows:
- £1,247,973.00
- £1,240,562.70
- £1,368,478.70
5. As follows:
6. Ferret renovator software.
7. No.
8. The first £1,000 contribution is disregarded.
9. No.
10. If the assessment is identified as urgent the case will be prioritised.
11. This information is not recorded in a way to be able to identify this.
12. No.
13. Not applicable.
14. No.
15. It is not the LHA’s function to carry out assessments and therefore we do not hold this information.
16. The Council does not hold this inforrmation as we do not undertake the assessments to identify this information.