Hi
I am new to this forum- only just found it today!!! so i dont have much experience but here goes.....

My son is 11 years old- he has mutliple disabilities and at the moment i am in a council house. It is adapted and he has a bedroom and wetroom downstairs- i do realise how lucky i am to have this but it was a struggle!!

Anyway I met my partner a couple of years ago and we are in a lucky position that we are able to buy a property. Buying my council house is not really an option as i really want to move out of the area after being burgled (they gained entry through my sons bedroom!!)

What I am struggling with is how to go about buying my own house and getting adaptations done- will i have to pay for all this? will i get any help? do i need to arrange adaptations and pay rent on my council house in the meantime??

has anyone bought a house and had it adapted and how did u go about it?

Emma

Hello Emzy

If you need the adaptations to a new house and you had them in your old house you are entitled to have them, apply as quickly as you can to go on the list, speak to your child's ot as soon as possible, if your case is urgent you might go higher up. Explain what you had in your old house and what you will need in your new house. We asked this when we were considering moving having them in your current house shouldnt stop you from moving, so dont worry about this. You will not need to pay for the adaptations this will be done for you like the first time round. Your child needs them and this will make your life easier for all. Ring your childs OT and get the ball rolling as soon as possible, let them know what you are planning to do, this wont be a problem. As far as I know you wont have to pay. Let me know how you get on and good luck with the house. xxx

I am not aware of where you live and the rules vary from place to place. I own my own home and had it several years before being adapted for my daughter now 12. I went through all the official process and was told I would get a 100% as I was on income support and child tax credits. Me being me took that to mean I would not have to contribute a penny---WRONG! Not all the building etc was grant earning and I had to contribute £15000! Fortunately my bank was good and I could borrow the money. All I am trying to say is that you may well have to contribute as you will own the home and also check how long you have to stay there before having to pay money back to the council. I know that here I have to stay 5 years or else will be liable to pay monies back. Good luck!

here in Bury DFG disabled facilities grant is not means tested for children up to the age of 16yrs. you still have to go through the process of being assessed by OT and application has to go before a panel to be approved before the works are done. small things like ramped access and stairlifts dont seem to be a problem however iam aware of people having had extensions approved and just before the work is about to start the funding has been stopped because the budget for the year has run out!! we also have to stop in the property for a period of five years or the cost of the work has to be payed back.

hey

thanks for the replies everyone- i have had the adaptations done 6 years here so shouldn't have to pay the money back. Think I am just going speak to my OT (although i dont think we have one at the mo coz of staff shortages!). i feel a bit frustrated at how much more difficult things are when you have a disabled child- think im just feeling sorry for myself at the mo!!!
Anyway I will let you all know how i get on xxx