Housing Grants for Disabled People in Scotland

Introduction.

In Scotland grants are available to provide homes with all the "standard amenities" which are-

• a fixed bath or shower
• a wash-hand basin
• a sink
• all with hot and cold water supply, and
• a toilet.

A discretionary improvement grant of up to £20.000 is also available. 50% of the total approved is available as of right for making a house suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of a disabled person who lives there.

Councils in Scotland are required to give a grant for installing any additional amenities which are needed because a disabled occupant cannot use the existing ones. This means that, for example, monies will be available to install a downstairs bathroom if the current one is inaccessible because it is situated upstairs.

A disabled person can apply for a grant even if they are not the owner or tenant.

Three conditions apply to the property for five years after the grant has been paid-

• the property must be used as a private dwelling house;
• if the owner or a member of their family occupies the house, it must be their main house;
• thew house must be kept in good repair, as far as possible;

The second rule is designed to prevent grants being awarded for second or holiday homes.

The local authority may seek repayment (plus interest) of the grant if any of these conditions are breached in the five year period.

The property can be sold within the five year period but the conditions will still apply to the property until the end of the period.

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The Applicant's Contribution

The applicant's contribution to the cost of works is calculated by adding together income from-

• earnings after tax and NI deductions
• occupational and personal pensions (not state retirement pension)
• interest and other payments for savings and investments
• rent
• maintenance payments

If the applicant has a partner then his or her income is also taken into account.

Once this total is arrived at, the council will subtract-

• mortgage or rent payments for the year, this is offset against any housing benefit to arrive at the amount that the applicant actually pays
• half of what has been paid in pension contributions
• standard allowances of £42 per week for any child who is disabled or registered blind, £35 per week for a single person who is disabled or registered blind, £50 per week for an applicant who has a partner and is disabled or registered blind.

Once the applicable income has been worked out this will be compared to a table which shows how much applicants have to contribute.

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Other information.

Disabled people in Scotland are encouraged to contact their local social work department to discuss the best way to meet their needs before applying for a grant.

The Scottish government web page on improvement and repair grants also points out that Care and Repair may be able to help with the application process and may be able to carry out small repairs.

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