Discretionary Top-Up Grant
The Council has agreed to use discretionary powers to provide, in eligible cases, a top-up award in addition to the £30,000 mandatory grant for more complex cases where the work required can exceed the maximum mandatory grant award.
This is subject to senior management approval. Grants up £10k will be considered at the DFG approval panel.
Eligible applicants
- Applicants who meet the criteria for mandatory DFG.
Qualifying criteria
- This discretionary element can only be accessed where the full £30,000 of mandatory grant has been utilised.
- Applicants do not have the financial resources to fund works over the maximum grant.
- This grant can only be used for works identified as necessary and appropriate by the OT.
Conditions
- Discretionary grants will only be considered when there is a significant risk to the applicant should the complete works assessed as necessary and appropriate not be completed.
- In cases where the adaptations are for a child, the parents/guardians may be subject to a financial assessment to determine ability to fund additional costs on top of mandatory grant.
- The discretionary element will be registered as a land charge on the property on owner-occupied properties and, in the event the property is sold within a 10-year period, the Council requires full repayment. Please note this is separate to the £10,000 recoverable Grant Aid Agreement which expires at 10 years from certification of works completion.
- The availability of the top-up grant is at the discretion of the Council and subject to the availability of funding.
Level of maximum assistance
- £10,000
Discretionary grants are subject to available funding and management approval. There is no right of appeal to a decision about a discretionary grant.