Are there any costs?

Disabled Facilities Grants are means tested so the amount that you may have to contribute towards the cost of works depends on your income, savings and assets and any benefits that you receive. This may mean you have to pay nothing at all or you may have to pay for the full cost of the works.

Children's grants are not means tested so no contribution is made towards the cost of works. If the applicant is in receipt of one of the following income related benefits they will not be required to make a contribution towards the grant

• Housing Benefit
• Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Guaranteed Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit (with income below £15,050)
• Child Tax Credit (with income below £15,050)
• Universal Credit

What if I have to make a contribution?

If you are required to make a contribution and can afford to pay it, this will need to be paid before the works can commence. Any remaining cost of works will be paid to the Builders directly by Hastings Borough Council.

If you are required to make a contribution and cannot afford to pay it you may be able to get some assistance dependent on your circumstances;

• If you or your partner has been in the Armed Forces you may be able to get some help from SSAFA or call: 0800 7314880
• If you are aged 65 or over or are aged 18 or over and have a long term physical health condition STEPS to stay independent may be able to help or call: 0300 1232422
• If you are a home owner you may be able to apply to Hastings Borough Council for a Home Improvement Load via The Parity Trust
• Alternatively you can seek your own funding to cover any contribution

What are the conditions of the grant?

There are certain conditions that apply to a Disabled Facilities Grant:

• If you are a tenant you will have to live in the property for a minimum of 5 years once the works have been completed. If you leave before then you may be asked to pay back the grant
• If you are an owner occupier and the works are above £5,000 Hastings Borough Council will place a local land charge on the property. If the property is sold or disposed of within 10 years we will recover the grant funding that exceeds £5,000 up to a maximum charge of £10,000

For Example:

• If the total cost of the grant is £4,000 - no charge will be placed on the property
• If the total cost of the grant is £6,500 - a charge of £1,500 will be placed on the property
• If the total cost of the grant is over £15,000 - a charge of £10,00 will be placed on the property