Disabled Facilities Grant not enough says Mencap

Friday 12 December 2008

Mencap welcomes the increase in funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant announced by Housing Minister Baroness Andrews yesterday, but is concerned that the increase is insufficient to meet the needs of families with disabled children.  Mencap is also concerned that the £25,000 cap penalises people with more severe disabilities. 

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Mencap, says: 

"Whilst we welcome the increase in funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant, it remains insufficient to meet the needs of adults with a learning disability and families with disabled children.  Capping contributions at £25,000 only serves to penalise people with the most severe disabilities who often need more adaptations to their home to live independently."

The Disabled Facilities Grant, which is now available across England without means testing, allows adults with a learning disability and families of disabled children financial help when adapting their homes into safe environments for their children.  Under the Disabled Facilities Grant families can receive up to £25,000 towards adaptations like stair lifts, hoists, and downstairs bathrooms

For more information about the announcement go to

www.communities.gov.uk/news/housing/1094670

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Notes to editor

For more information please contact Lucy Hannagan, Mencap press office, 020 7696 6017, lucy.hannagan@mencap.org.uk