CARERS DIRECTORY

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY

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HOME

  Repairs and Adaptations to your home

 

Adaptations to your home may make life easier for you.  Financial assistance may be available.  There are three types of grant available from the Council:

 

Home Repair Assistance Grants

These are available for small-scale essential repairs to your home or to do essential repairs where your health or safety may be at risk.  For example, repairs to windows and doors, or to replace lead water pipes.  Grants are also available for intercom or door entry systems. If you have had a previous Home Repair Assistance Grant, you may be able to get a cavity wall insulation grant. 

 

If you only need to have low cost work done to your home, then Social Services own contractor will take on the job and Social Services will pay him directly.

 

How to apply

You can apply if you are the owner of the property or a tenant.  Landlords can also apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.  In order to qualify you need to be over 60 and be getting one or more of the following benefits: Income Support, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Disabled Person's or Working Family's Tax Credit.  You do not need to be over 60 if you are applying to replace lead water pipes.  Enquiries to: 

 

*       Strategic Housing                                     *          Housing Advice Centre

56 / 58 Euston Road                                              4/5 Dalton Square

MORECAMBE LA4 5DG                                      LANCASTER LA1 1PJ

  (            (01524) 586801                                         (            (01524) 582528

 

Renovation Grants

These are available for the improvement and/or repair of homes where the defects to your home, in the opinion of the Housing Officer, make the property "unfit for occupation".  Generally speaking, any serious problem with the structure, fabric, services or amenities of a dwelling can be considered for this grant aid. 

 

How to apply

You can apply if you are over 60, registered disabled or, in some circumstances a long-term empty property may be considered.  You can only apply if you are on a low income.  You can apply if you are the owner, landlord or in some circumstances, a tenant of the property.  Initial enquiry forms are available from the Council.  Note:  you should not start any work until your application has been formally approved in writing.  Initial enquiries to Housing Advice Centre see previous page. 

 

Disabled Facilities Grants

These are mainly available to make your home easier to get around.  They cover things like building an extension to a house, or adapting an existing room to provide a suitable bathroom, walk-in shower unit or toilet.  They can also include widening doors, and installing ramps or stair lifts.  A grant could help with providing a heating system, adapting heating and lighting controls, or adapting a room to make it safe.  The main aim of this grant is to enable a disabled person to live more independently.

 

How to apply

The first step is to contact Social Services who will make a referral for an assessment.  You can apply if you are on a low income or over 60. You can be either an owner of the property or a tenant.  Application forms are available from the Council at either address on previous page.  Note:  you should not to start any work until the Council has formally approved your application in writing.

 

 

See also Gardening/Odd Jobs for information about the City Council's Handy Person Scheme.