Funding and Information: Home Improvements, Repairs and Adaptations

Research Service Constituent Factsheet

Funding and Information: Home Improvements, Repairs and Adaptations

The Disabled Facilities Grant can be used for any of the following:  widening doors and installing ramps;  providing or improving access to rooms and facilities - for example, by installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs bathroom;  improving or providing a suitable heating system;

Updated: February 2013

 adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use;

Introduction

 improving access to and movement around the home to enable a person to care for another person who lives in the property, such as a child.

This guide outlines and signposts possible sources of support available to constituents who need to improve, repair or adapt their homes.

Local Authority Assistance Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) A Disabled Facilities Grant is a statutory grant administered by local authorities and is intended to enable disabled people to gain access to and to move freely within their home, and to provide accessible facilities within the home. They are available to owner occupiers and tenants across all tenures, but local authority and housing association tenants are advised to contact their landlord in the first instance as alternative sources of funding may be available. Landlords may also apply for the grant on behalf of a disabled tenant as long as the tenant satisfies the relevant conditions set out in the legislation.

The Welsh Government has published guidance to local authorities which outlines the purposes for which DFGs may be provided.

Discretionary Grants and Loans Local authorities also have discretionary powers to provide funding for adaptations, repairs and improvements under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002. This assistance could be in the form of a grant, but will often be a loan. Each Local Authority will have its own policies on the type of help it will offer and the conditions a person must meet to qualify for assistance..

Housing Renewal Areas Area based renewal schemes focusing on private sector housing can be found In some local authorities. Anyone living in one of these renewal areas may be entitled to additional funding for improvements to their property. Further information can be obtained from the relevant local authority.

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Care and Repair Cymru

Financial Support

Care and Repair Cymru is the national body that actively works to ensure that all older people have homes that are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs. Care and Repair Cymru is able to assess the needs of older people through the all Wales coverage of local Care and Repair Agencies.

Moneyline Cymru Moneyline Cymru is a not for profit Community Development Financial Institution helping to provide loans, savings and financial advice to members of the public. It was established with the support of Welsh Housing Associations. Moneyline Cymru reinvests all of its profits back into the company to enable them to help more people.

The Welsh Government provides funding to Care and Repair agencies across Wales who in turn provide advice to older people and help them to source financial assistance for adaptations and maintenance for their homes.

Rapid Response Adaptations Care and Repair Cymru also provide a Rapid Response Adaptation programme. If a person is physically disabled or aged 60 or over they may be able to claim up to £350 worth of small scale adaptations so they can be discharged from hospital and return to live safely in their home. The following can be claimed under this programme: small ramps, rails and hand grips, a covered way to a toilet, levelling of paths, community safety alarms and home safety measures. Further information and details of local Care and Repair agencies can be obtained from Care and Repair’s national office: For more information: Tel: 0300 111 3333 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.careandrepair.org.uk/

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Moneyline Cymru currently has branches across the south and west Wales. For more information: Web: www.moneylinecymru.co.uk. Money Advice Service The Money Advice Service is working in partnership with Turn2Us, Shelter Cymru and Citizens Advice Cymru to provide a nationwide service that provides free, unbiased advice to help individuals manage their money more efficiently and deal with debt problems. For more information: Tel: 0300 500 5000 Email: [email protected] Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Credit Unions Credit Unions are mutual financial organisations which are owned and run by their members for their members. Credit Unions are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and money saved is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme on the same basis as it would be if it was held in a bank or building society.

Research Service Constituent Factsheet Credit Union members have a common bond, such as living in the same area, a common workplace, membership of a housing association or similar and all members save in a common fund. This fund can be then used to make low interest loans to the credit union's members. All interest on loan repayments is reinvested in the credit union and nothing leaves the community. For further information, contact the credit unions in Wales Helpline on 0808 129 4050 use the findyourcreditunion website.

Energy Efficiency Nest British Gas is working with the Welsh Government and the Energy Saving Trust to target fuel poor households throughout Wales. Nest offers a range of advice to anyone in Wales, as well as a full home energy assessment, known as the whole house assessment, and free home improvements for the most energy inefficient homes. Some of the improvements that can be provided by Nest are listed below: 

Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation;

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Solid Wall Insulation;

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Draught Proofing;

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Boiler Replacement.

More information on this scheme can be obtained by visiting the www.nestwales.org.uk or by contacting the Nest Freephone number 0808 808 2244

Green Deal Householders can make some energy-saving improvements to their home without having to pay all the costs up front through the Green Deal. They pay any improvements through their electricity bill. Energy-saving improvements include: 

insulation - e.g. loft or cavity wall insulation

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heating

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draught-proofing

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double glazing

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renewable energy technologies - e.g. solar panels or wind turbines

Further information is available on www.gov.uk.

Energy Saving Trust The Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation helping people to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. The Trust is funded by the UK Government, devolved governments and the private sector and operates regionally in England and has independent teams in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Trust supports its objectives to save energy and reduce carbon emissions by:  Providing expert knowledge on energy saving;

Householders must meet the follow criteria to be eligible for support under the whole house assessment:  They must be receiving a means tested benefit;  Their property must have currently have an energy efficiency rating of F or G;  Their property must be privately owned or privately rented.

 Supporting people to take action;  Helping local authorities and communities to save energy;  And by providing quality assurance for goods, services and installers.


Research Service Constituent Factsheet The Energy Saving Trust aims to ensure that all installers listed are members of the National Insulation Association (NIA). The energy saving trust has recently launched a new government funded advisory service called the Energy Savings Advice Service. This is a free service that will signpost callers to a wide range of organisations that can help install energy-saving measures in their homes and reduce their fuel bills. For more information: Tel: 0300 123 1234. Web: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Feed In Tariff (FIT) Scheme Under the FIT scheme, energy suppliers have to make regular payments to householders who generate their own electricity from renewable or low carbon sources. The energy suppliers guarantee a minimum payment for all electricity generated as well as an additional payment for any electricity exported to the grid. The scheme is administered by Licensed Electricity Suppliers and Ofgem, whilst public information on the scheme is provided by the Energy Saving trust and the Carbon Trust on behalf of the UK Government. A list of registered Feed in Tariff licensed suppliers can be found on the Ofgem website. Free Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panel Scheme This scheme is also known as rent my roof space and involves companies offering customers free PV solar panels, including the cost of the installation and any future maintenance costs. In return the company will receive export tariffs and any income generated from the solar panels. The customer may get the generated energy for free or at a discounted price.

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The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) aims to provide financial support and incentives to individuals, communities and businesses, to switch from a heating system powered by fossil fuels, to a renewable energy system. RHI Premium Payment scheme aims to support individuals in Wales, England and Scotland who wish to install renewable heat system at their primary residence. Individuals will be able to apply for a voucher and once they have had the system installed, the voucher can be exchanged for a grant. The Energy Savings Trust has produced guidance on the RHI Premium Payment Scheme. 

FAQs for RHPP

More information on these schemes can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website or by clicking on the hyperlinks below: 

Feed In Tariff (FIT) Scheme

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Feed In Tariff - FAQs

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Free PV Solar Panel Scheme

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The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

NEA Cymru NEA Cymru is the Welsh arm of NEA (National Energy Action) the UK's leading fuel poverty charity. More detailed information can be found on the NEA Cymru website: www.nea.org.uk


Benevolent Funds and Charities Turn2Us is a charitable service which helps people locate and access appropriate sources of financial support based on their particular needs and circumstances. Turn2us has funding database the can help people find information on Welfare Benefits, Grants, Benevolent funds and other help. Some benevolent funds and charities may be able to offer elderly and/or disabled people help and financial assistance with essential household improvements and adaptations to enable them to carry on living at home and avoid going in to care. To find a list of benevolent funds available to the elderly and disabled in Wales, the following search terms should be used (Please note: this is only an example and a variety of search terms can be used):

 In ‘Personal background’, scroll down to Health and select People who are disabled or elderly from the dropdown list.  In ‘Location’ select Wales.

 In ‘Help required’ select Household Essentials.  In ‘Keyword’ type Benevolent. This funding database can be found on the Turn2us website Useful Organisations Some armed forces and public service benevolent funds offering support and financial assistance on home improvements, repairs and adaptations can be found below:  Royal British Legion  The Royal Naval Benevolent Fund  The British Fire Services Association Widows Orphans and Benevolent Fund
