Disabled Facilities Grant
If you are a disabled person and you need adaptations to your home, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). A DFG is a means-tested grant which offers help with the cost of necessary adaptations to homes to provide better facilities and freedom of movement in and around the home including:
- Stairlifts
- Ramps
- Level access showers
The grant is up to the maximum value of £50,000, however if you have a regular income or savings you may have to contribute towards the cost of the works. No contribution is required towards an adaptation for a child.
To apply
Before you can apply for a DFG your needs must be assessed by an Occupational Therapist based within the Oxfordshire County Council’s Adult Social Care Team.
You can request an assessment by an Occupational Therapist by phone on 0345 050 7666 or by email socialandhealthcare@oxfordshire.gov.uk or contact Oxfordshire County Council via their website. More information is available in on our home adaptations leaflet.
Flexible Home Improvement Loan for over 60s
Flexible Home Improvement Loans are not currently available. Details of future loan schemes will be published here when they are available.
If you have a query about an existing Flexible Home Improvement Loans please contact the Private Sector Housing Team by email at psh@southandvale.gov.uk.
South and Vale Home Improvement Agency can provide advice on other assistance available to help with essential home repairs. Email hia-sv@oxford.gov.uk or call 0300 373 5663
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire can also provide advice and support to homeowners looking to retrofit their homes.
Dementia Assistance Grant
The discretionary Dementia Assistance Grant helps persons living with dementia to make changes to their homes that support them to continue to live there safely and for longer. The maximum grant available is £2,500.
The grant can cover dementia friendly adaptations within the home such as:
Replacing floor coverings that cause confusion or safety issues
Replacing tiling or bathroom fittings to improve visual perception
Changing cupboards to glass fronted doors, to enable recognition of where items are in the kitchen
Changing lighting schemes to improve visibility around the home
Installing noise reduction measures
Ensuring gardens and paths are level and free from hazards
The works can be facilitated by the council’s Home Improvement Agency or an alternative contractor. The grant excludes contributions towards care packages or Assistive Technology already funded by Adult Social Care teams.
The Dementia Assistance Grant will only be available whilst funds permit as it is a discretionary grant.
Eligibility
Any person with a medical diagnosis of dementia who is an owner-occupier, private tenant or a Registered Provider tenant. The grant is not subject to a financial assessment. We will, however, require a letter confirming the
diagnosis from a GP, qualified medical professional or specialist.
The works must be reasonable and practical and relate to the applicant’s dementia needs. Only one application per applicant will be considered per year.
How to apply
Referrals can be made by Adult Social Care, hospital teams or the voluntary and community sector. Referrals can be made by contacting the South and Vale Home Improvement Agency. Email hia-sv@oxford.gov.uk or call 0300 373 5663. Grants must be approved before works commence and will only be paid upon satisfactory completion of the works.
Essential Housing Repair Grant
The Essential Housing Repair Grant (ERG) is a grant available to improve the warmth, comfort, condition, safety or security of homes.
Grants can be used for:
• Minor repairs and improvements to assist someone to stay in their own home
• Significant works to repair the property to a safe and weatherproof condition
• Energy measures, except where an alternative grant is available
The ERG may also be used to provide financial assistance to qualifying owners of mobile homes or canal boats to cover essential repairs or necessary energy efficiency measures.
Eligibility
Applicants must be owner occupiers who have lived in their property for at least three consecutive years, and in receipt of either a passporting benefit, or have no financial contribution following a DFG means test.
The maximum ERG that can be awarded is £10,000.
Grants are subject to the availability of funding. Applications can be made by contacting the South and Vale Home Improvement Agency. Email hia-sv@oxford.gov.uk or call 0300 373 5663. Grants must be approved before works commence and will only be paid upon satisfactory completion of the works.
Empty Home Loan
Empty Home Loans are not currently available. Details of future loan schemes will be published here when they are available.
South and Vale Home Improvement Agency can provide advice on other assistance available to help with essential home repairs. Email hia-sv@oxford.gov.uk or call 0300 373 5663
Cosy Homes Oxfordshire can also provide advice and support to homeowners looking to retrofit their homes.
Energy Saving Grants
Free and impartial advice on energy bill discounts and grants and funding for energy saving home improvements is available from Better Housing Better Health or call 0800 107 0044.
There are a range of funding schemes available to improve the energy efficiency of your home:
- Home Upgrade Grant – funding to provide a range of energy-saving improvements – for homes WITHOUT a gas boiler. This scheme is run by Oxfordshire County Council to fit insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels for eligible households by Welcome the Warmth. Please visit the grant website for more information and you can use this tool to check if you are eligible.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme – up to £7,500 towards the cost of a renewable heating system. See the government site for more details and eligibility.
- Energy Company Obligation – our eligibility criteria for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) are set out in our statement of intent. Any resident who believes that they may be eligible for this help should contact Better Housing Better Health.
- Fuel Poverty Grant –administered by the National Energy Foundation, providing grants of up to £1,000 for essential energy saving repairs and home improvements. Anyone who thinks they may be eligible should contact Better Housing Better Health. Grants are available to homeowners and private tenants who:
- Receive certain qualifying benefits, or
- are in fuel poverty, or
- meet the current Energy Company Obligation (ECO) criteria, or
- meet the criteria in the councils current ECO Flexible Eligibility.
- Warm Homes Grant –a discretionary grant of up to £1,000 to ‘top up’ the Fuel Poverty Grant where the costs of energy efficiency, energy saving measures or essential energy saving repairs exceed the Fuel Poverty Grant maximum. For recipients of the Fuel Poverty Grant, the National Energy Foundation will apply to the council for the Warm Homes Grant on their behalf.
Handyperson services
HANDYPERSON SERVICES
The council’s Home Improvement Agency provides a chargeable Handyperson Service for a wide range of jobs which can include:
- Doors/Windows, repairs and adjustments
- Minor joinery work
- Minor plumbing work
- Minor electrical work e.g. wiring plugs and changing lightbulbs
- Installation of aids e.g. grab rails
- Installations of adaptations e.g. ramps
- Fitting locks and security chains
- Fitting smoke alarms & sensors
- Draught proofing
- Gates/Fencing/Wall repairs
- Fitting key safes (never get locked out again)
- Flat pack furniture assembly
This list is not exhaustive but generally work covered by this scheme includes small jobs around the home that can no longer be managed or undertaken by the applicant. Often these jobs can prevent accidents or falls in the home and are aimed at helping people maintain their independence and improve their safety and quality of life.
Who can use the scheme?
Residents of South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse District Councils who are vulnerable older persons (over 60 years of age).
Priority will be given to those households and individuals who are disabled or in receipt of income support or other means tested benefits.
Accessing the service
The service is provided by South and Vale Home Improvement Agency. Email hia-sv@oxford.gov.uk or call 0300 373 5663.
Handyperson Charges
The service costs to the customer are based upon an hourly charge (currently £20 per hour) plus the cost of materials. The customer is not charged for the travel time to and from the property incurred by the handyperson at the start/end of the job. The handyperson will (if required) collect materials and equipment as required while at the property. A quote will be provided before any work takes place.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Energy Company Obligation – ECO4, ECO4 Flex and ECO+ (latter coming April 2023)
The Energy Company Obligation was set up by government and obligates energy suppliers to improve low-income households’ capacity to heat their houses, through measures such as replacing old heating systems or insulating homes to fulfil carbon saving obligation.
ECO4 scheme is the fourth and final phase of the ECO currently being implemented. It focuses on increasing the energy efficiency rating (EPC) of properties after measures have been installed. ECO4 Flex is an extension to the ECO scheme and is provided through some local authorities to channel funding to certain eligible households in the area.
Awarding organisation: Participating energy companies
Who is eligible? ECO4: Homeowners or private tenants who claim certain benefits, and social housing tenants. ECO4 Flex: eligibility criteria are set out in the councils ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent (for South Oxfordshire).
The following are the past versions of the Statements of Intent: Version 1; Version 2; Version 3.
To apply: Please contact Better Housing Better Health (www.bhbh.org.uk, or 0800 107 0044)
The Housing Assistance Grants and Loans Policy
The full details of the all the grants and loans are in the policy document.
You can download the Housing Assistance Grants and Loans Policy here.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) - Are you eligible?
- Home Upgrade Grant – funding to provide a range of energy-saving improvements – for homes WITHOUT a gas boiler. This scheme is run by Oxfordshire County Council to fit insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels for eligible households by Welcome the Warmth. Please visit the grant website for more information .
You can check if you are eligible here – https://www.gov.uk/apply-home-upgrade-grant
