Disabled Facilities Grant

[LadyOfLittleLeisure]

Wondering if anyone has applied for (and got) a DIsabled Facilities Grant for autistic DC (under 18 years old)?

I'm actually looking for things like specialist furniture because they have destroyed everything and it's not very safe (eg ripped up sofa). I know Family Fund do smaller grants for essential furniture but we have used up all those sources really on other necessities and a specialist sofa (for example) costs about 4x their standard £400 charity grant.

[otherpaulsmith]

Sorry, I don't think you would get a DFG for a sofa

[LadyOfLittleLeisure]

@otherpaulsmith no, I don't either - but it's just one of list of specialist things we need in the house to make it safe/appropriate. For example, they kept trying to climb out the windows, we've put locks on the windows but they now they try to climb on the windows and lean all their weight on them so I'm so scared the screws are going to buckle. They also regularly try to smash the TV (It's currently strapped down with a protective front on it but they're really trying to break past that as well). I guess I'm asking if the grant can be used for furniture generally rather than more extensive building work?

[otherpaulsmith]

I'm not sure if I can post a link, but a new report is being published tomorrow which looks at how DFG can be used for autism and challenging behaviours. Search for Foundations DFG

[LadyOfLittleLeisure]

Oh thanks @otherpaulsmith I'm going to look out for that!

[EggysMom]

Thanks @otherpaulsmith I had no idea about that website, and I'd definitely be interested to know what can be done for the home of an autistic child.

[Missingthesun]

We applied for a DFG to change the door/doorway to be wider for my DC wheelchair. And a ramp. We live in our own house (mortgaged)

Without these adaptations, DC would not be able to use the house. It was really hard to get approved despite being a clear cut case of physical disability & relatively low value works.

It would have to be a medical necessity in their eyes.

We have solid floors and asked about having carpet in one room for DC (as DC falls frequently). They refused as it wasn’t a necessity for DC to be able to live in the home.

[Missingthesun]

Upgrading the the window locks - they might argue as a fire safety hazard.

[LadyOfLittleLeisure]

@Missingthesun yeah, I think we don't have much of a chance, but I'm probably going to try. Or maybe there's a discretionary grant as what we're looking at costs under £3000

[Missingthesun]

Sorry, didn’t mean it to sound negative. Just wanted to share the reality we’ve had & ours was a very straightforward lower cost application.

Every LA is different though. Funds & criteria may differ. I’d say charity funding is probably more likely? But you need an exact list of what it is you’re asking for. You can’t just say furniture. What sort of thing are you thinking?

We asked for 1 door knob to be changed to a handle (DC cannot use knobs) this was also refused. We’ve financed 90% of alterations & upgrades ourselves now.

Do you live in rented or owned? Not sure if being in rented/council would make a difference to your application.