Our environment can make a significant difference to our independence. Making major adaptations to your living space so you can live at home can have a significant impact on your wellbeing.
For example, a stair lift could make it possible for you to access a bathroom and bedroom upstairs. A ramp could make it possible for you to access your property. It can help you come and go as you please to get to the shops or visit friends.
During an occupational therapy assessment, we will identify what is “necessary and appropriate” for your needs.
Our Housing Adaptations and Improvements team will also have a realistic conversation with you about what is reasonable and practical in your property. We will often explore if there is a better way to use your property.
Sometimes our homes are not easy or practical to adapt. You may decide it is better to move to a new property. In this case, your Disabled Facilities Grant could be used to pay some of the associated costs.
We support people with all tenures. If you do not own your own property, written consent for any changes will be sought from your landlord.
Disabled Facilities Grants are a mandatory grant to assist people to adapt their home to meet their needs, helping disabled people remain safe, well and independent in their own homes.
See the GOV.UK website for more details.
Disabled Facilities Grants are
There can be a delay between the original assessment and the grant being approved. We prioritise the higher risk situations.
To prevent unnecessary waiting, you can complete a “preliminary enquiry”. This can identify if you are likely to have a contribution.
This is not a final determination and is subject to change, especially if your financial circumstances change after completing the form.
If you are assessed as needing to contribute to the cost of your adaptation, our team will talk through the possible loan options.
For more details, please refer to our Housing Renewal Assistance Policy.
Assistance for the provision of main access ramps will not be means tested.
Stairlifts and ramps are provided on a life-time loan basis. They should be returned when no longer needed.
North Somerset Council is not responsible for the ongoing maintenance of bathroom adaptations.
If you are considering making adaptations to your home, we recommend seeking advice. There are many options to consider with home adaptations. It can be costly if these are not considered the first time around.
Some things to consider can include:
If you need occupational therapy advice to undertake your own adaptations, we can arrange this.
You can also seek the advice of an independent occupational therapist. This may be quicker, but you would need to pay for this.
Please note, if you plan to apply for the grant, we must receive your application and approve it before any work starts.
We advise seeking advice before you submit your application. Claims for work that has already been started cannot be processed.
If you are registered as disabled, you will be exempt from paying VAT on
More information is available at GOV.UK website.