This information is also available to download as a leaflet: Disabled Facilities Grant. 

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

If you or someone living in your home is disabled you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant. The Grant is to help towards the cost of providing facilities in the home to enable people with a disability to continue to live there.

There are many types of adaptations available including:

- Ramps to help get in and out of your home
- Showers when baths are no longer easy to use
- Stairlifts to go up and down stairs.

Who can apply?

An application can be made by, or on behalf of, anyone who is registered or capable of being registered as disabled and lives in the Borough of Boston. Applicants can be property owners or tenants.

The first step

Boston Borough Council will require the disabled person to be assessed by a Social Services Occupational Therapist. They will provide a recommendation to the Council regarding the disabled person's needs. It is recommended that you contact Social Services directly (please see address at the bottom of the page), or we can contact them on your behalf. The Occupational Therapist will then arrange for a home visit to assess your needs. If any adaptations are necessary they will contact Boston Borough Council on your behalf.

How much will I get?

To ensure that the grant goes to the most needy households, the amount of grant you will get will be decided by a means test which will look at the income and assets of the disabled person and their partner.  If the grant is for a disabled child the means test will not be applied.  After hearing from the Occupational Therapist Boston Borough Council will send out a means test form.  Once returned you will be given an indication of the amount that you will be expected to pay (if any) towards the cost of any works.  The amount will be confirmed before the grant is approved.  The way the means test is calculated is set out in law and is beyond the control of the Council.  If you wish to proceed after the results of the means test, application forms will be sent to you.

The Private Sector Housing team are happy to assist clients with the completion of the forms.

When all the forms and information are received by the Council, Boston Borough Council will give you a decision in writing within 6 months.

Only when the approval has been issued can works start.

ANY WORKS CARRIED OUT BEFORE GRANT APPROVAL WILL NOT BE PAID FOR BY BOSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Can I get help in organising the work?

If you own your home you have a choice:

- to use Boston Borough Council's Agency/Design service. (See contact details below) or
- to arrange for the contractors to quote for the works yourselves in accordance with a specification provided by Boston Borough Council.

All Housing Association tenants must use the Agency Service.

The Agency service will design the works, arrange for competent contractors to quote, obtain building regulation and or planning permission if required, and ensure that the work is carried out correctly and safely on site.

What happens when the work is done?

 When the Council is satisfied that the works are complete, you will be asked if  you agree that the contractor can be paid.  Payment will normally be paid direct to the contractor.

This does not affect your right to ensure that the contractor has completed the works to your satisfaction.  If you consider that the contractor has not done so, you should contact the Private Sector Housing section so that they can investigate the problems.

CONTACT DETAILS

For Grants and Agency/Design           
Private Sector Housing
Boston Borough Council   
Municipal Buildings
West Street
Boston
Lincolnshire
PE21 8QR
Tel 01205 314563

For the Occupational Therapist 
Please contact the customer referral unit on
Tel 01522 552222