An additional £68 million investment to help thousands more disabled people to access grants to improve their homes so they can live independently has been announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The Disabled Facilities Grant funding can be used towards the costs of home adaptations such as stair-lifts, level access showers, wet rooms, winches, grab rails and ramps. These can play a critical role in avoiding the need for hospital or care home admission, as well as helping to speed-up discharge from hospital.
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‘I’m pleased that extra funding announced today, on the International Day of People with Disabilities, will see thousands more people benefit. This grant can be literally life changing and lengthening, helping more people to live independently in their own homes,’ said Minister for Housing Kelly Tolhurst.
‘Since 2012 over 280,000 home adaptions have been funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant Scheme helping many tens of thousands of people to live at home independently.’
This funding is in addition to the £505 million paid to councils in May 2020, increasing the overall government investment in the Disabled Facilities Grant to £573 million this year. With Spending Review 2020 investment of £573 million in the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2021 to 2022, government has now confirmed over £4 billion funding for the grant since 2010.
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‘This grant will help hundreds of thousands of disabled people across England to live more independently in their own homes and improve their quality of life,’ said Minister for Care, Helen Whately.
‘I know this year has been incredibly difficult for disabled people in particular and I’m pleased that, on the International Day of People with Disabilities, we’re able to provide this additional funding. The Disabled Facilities Grant is a really important part of our ambition to reduce health inequalities and support more people to live healthy, independent lives for as long as possible.’