4. Eligibility and conditions
Eligibility and conditions
To be eligible for a grant:
- You or someone living in the property must be disabled
- The property must be the main home of the disabled person
- Own your home, live with family, rent from a private landlord or housing association.
- Intend to live in the property during the grant period (which is currently 5 years)
- You can apply for a grant if you’re a landlord and have a disabled tenant.
The person applying for the grant does not have to be the disabled person but must own the property or be a tenant. For example, the applicant could be a son who owns or rents the property and has his disabled father living with him.
East Devon District Council tenant’s must contact 01395 517458 – Housing repairs, Repairs@eastdevon.gov.uk
Grant conditions
The full grant conditions can be seen in the East Devon Financial Assistance Policy and the full terms and conditions will be provided to you before the grant is approved.
Summary of Conditions
The disabled person, and their partner if relevant, will be means tested as necessary.
We must be satisfied that the works are necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the disabled person.
The works must be reasonable and practical considering the age and condition of the property.
The Council must approve the grant in writing before work starts.
The council may withdraw the grant, or you may have to repay it if:
- the disabled person moves out of the property within 5 years of the certified date (we will consider some exceptions on a case by case basis)
- the property is sold or transferred within 10 years of the certified date (if this happens, the property owner may be asked to repay between £5,000 and £10,000 of the grant total)
- you do not complete the work within 12 months of approval
Grants will not be more than £30,000. A local land charge of up to £10,000 will be placed on the property where the grant exceeds £5,000 - and remain on the property for 10 years.
Means test
The means test is quite complicated. The Adapt My Home website has a means test calculator tool that is a simplified version of the means test. It will give you an estimate of how much money you might have to contribute to the cost of your home adaptations. You will still need to complete the full means test to get an exact figure as part of the application process.