Decision details

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 22^nd 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.

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.

The Government guidance states:

“Often people with MND want to continue to work during the early stages of the disease, which can make them ineligible for a DFG through means testing, but by the time they can no longer work an un-adapted home can make day to day activities very difficult to manage.

These provisions apply to a relatively small number of people but can have a significant impact upon their lives at a time of major upheaval.”

The introduction of this discretionary grant is taking account of Government guidance and helping those few to reduce the significant impact on their lives by making their day to day activities easier to manage.

The cost of these adaptations will be funded from the Better Care Fund, administered by the County Council.

Various delivery options were considered and the delivery option and eligibility criteria listed above were thought to be the most appropriate option by the DFG Forum.

Consultation took place through the DFG forum, which includes all 6 districts within Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Strategic Housing Partnership.

It was agreed at the DFG Forum held on 22nd November 2022 that all local housing authorities within Gloucestershire will offer discretionary funding for similar cases through the Better Care Fund.