Bathroom Adaptations - Funding options?

[rosierose12]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice with bathroom adaptations and what options may be available, if any, if the local council have denied funding please?

My Relatives are in their late 80's and currently have a very inaccessible bathroom. The grab rails and seat are potential falls risk and it's been assessed that there are no other options for additions to alleviate this unless they have an accessible bath or wetroom fitted. It's causing them both quite a lot of stress.

They recently had a visit from the council who have since advised they cannot provide funding because they have too much in their savings. I'm not sure how much this is but almost certain it's under £10000, and this has been earmarked as funeral costs. Are there any other options available to them please? They are also receiving palliative care (cancer diagnosis) and I'm anticipating there will be a greater need shortly.

Thank you.

You could try contacting your local Age UK. They may be able to advise on any charitable trusts. Are they claiming Attendance Allowance? Alternatively, could they pre pay for their funeral and that money will no longer be part of their savings.

Yes, they are. They're using this for support in the home at the moment. That might be an option, I think they're worried in case a business went under and it gives us a bit more control with costs, I'm guessing but could help with that side of things. I'll try Age UK, thank you.

Did they have a Disabled Facilities Grant means test? I’m surprised with <£10k savings that there is no support? Do they have a large income from pensions etc as part of the means test is consideration of whether they could afford to take out a loan.

You’ve mentioned that they are palliative. At this stage of their life will the burden and stress of major works outweigh the benefit? Many palliative patients don’t have the energy to bathe or shower even with accessible facilities.

If you are convinced it will benefit them and they have a military background, SSAFA might help? Or if Civil Service then I think they have a Benevolent Fund too?

If they need to self fund, adaptations for health reasons are VAT free, so you effectively get a 20% discount.

Look at turn 2 us website. You might find something there.

www.turn2us.org.uk

Could they do pre-pay funeral and then apply again?
Or would that count as 'deprivation'?

Are you sure they don't qualify for a DFG? Council fund up to 30k with contributions assessed
10k isn't much in savings
I speak with experience as I've just had a wet room and accessible kitchen( and front door) installed 25k with nil contribution as I have CP( no savings here)

My understanding is that any adaptation had to have a life of 5+ years for it to be quantified. I don't know if this is just for bigger adaptations. If you Google your council and DFG grant you should find the eligibility.

Sorry ignore that. If the person is terminal there are different rules.

My DFG is effectively a charge on my property for 10 years

Agree with looking into prepaying for their funerals if you can. It might be a good time to talk through their wishes with them.

Age UK has some useful information on choosing a prepayment plan in this leaflet.

I would check k with the Council first though on what grounds they were refused funding. My elderly DAunt is in the process of having a wet room fitted right now and it's not been means tested.

I am doing this now. There have been a number of steps before funding is even considered, I wonder if it has gone through this process:

• OT visit to assess needs and view current bathroom
• surveyor visit to plan logistics
• plan and full itemisation submitted to me for comments
• plan submitted to funding panel
• now awaiting news on funding approval via Disabled Facilities Grant

Did they go through this process?

This is what me relatives went through only the Council have funded the adaptations.

I wouldn't waste your breast waiting for the council OP.

My dad died while waiting for their bathroom to be adapted. They were approved but still waiting for it to be done over a year later.

I think you'll need to pay for it if they need it done anytime soon.