Purpose

The
government guidance notes for DFG delivery published in March
2022 gives examples of local authorities providing discretionary
funding to respond to rapidly progressing and highly debilitating
conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

 
Following a pilot case offering discretionary funding for a
grant applicant with Motor Neurone Disease; it was agreed at the DFG Forum held on
22nd November 2022 that all local authorities within
Gloucestershire will offer discretionary funding for similar cases
through the Better Care Fund based on the following
criteria:
 

Applications for discretionary funding will be identified by the
OT carrying out the assessment of the disabled person. The OT will
highlight within their referral if the disabled person has a
medical condition that is rapidly progressing and
highly debilitating such as Motor Neurone Disease.  Applications will only be accepted after the OT
has consulted with their clinical lead for approval.  Palliative conditions, where the appropriateness
of the proposed work has been thoughtfully considered, can also be
included.
The
response from the local authority for a disabled person with a
rapidly progressing and highly debilitating condition will be to
fast-track their grant enquiry and carry out a provisional Test of
Resources. If the disabled person is assessed as having a high
contribution which means they would not be eligible for a mandatory
DFG they will be offered discretionary funding for works up to
£15,000.

It is envisaged grant assistance up to a limit of
£15,000 will cover the cost of smaller adaptations such as
bathroom adaptations/improved access, work that could be
implemented fairly quickly. Larger adaptations, while beneficial,
could not be completed in a short period of time.

This
grant is a “one-off” grant.

It would not, however, prevent the disabled person
making an application for mandatory grant assistance at some point
in the future if there is a change in circumstances.

The
grant applicant/disabled person will be required to privately fund
the cost of any work exceeding the £15,000 limit.
Once
the work is on site, if any unforeseen/additional work is
identified this will be required to be privately funded if the
total cost exceeds the £15,000 grant limit.
Although the grant applicant/disabled person is not subject to a
means test, they will still be required to complete the relevant
grant paperwork/application form used for a mandatory
DFG.
The
grant applicant/disabled person is strongly recommended to appoint
an agent/surveyor to assist with their grant enquiry as with a
mandatory DFG. Any professional fees will need to be included
within the £15,000.
The
offer of funding is subject to a charge on the property on
completion of the adaptations, similar to mandatory grant
assistance.

 
 

This newly introduced discretionary grant
is to be reviewed on a quarterly basis and fully reviewed in March
2024.

Content

To introduce discretionary funding for
the purpose of responding to
rapidly progressing and highly debilitating conditions such as
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Cheltenham, approved by the Gloucestershire DFG Forum and
paid out of the Better Care Fund administered by Gloucestershire
County Council. This will form part of CBC housing grant
policy.