Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

Purpose of Grant

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is available to assist in the carrying out of works that are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability who is a member of the household.


Who is Eligible for the Grant

The grant is only available to households whose gross annual household income does not exceed €65,000. The maximum grant available for new houses (less than 12 months old) is €14,500 (subject to means test).

The amount of grant available shall not exceed 95 % of the approved cost of the works subject to an overall maximum level of grant of €30,000. Limits apply in respect of the various elements of work, and the level of grant applicable to each element is subject to means testing (i.e. between 30% and 95% of approved works in each case).

The grant is targeted at meeting the needs of persons with the greatest level / most complex clinical / functional care needs, the Council have adopted a policy to target the following three (3) categories i.e. progressive neurological conditions, acquired brain injury, other high level care needs groups.

Progressive Neurological Conditions: 

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Motor Neuron Disease
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Progressive Terminal Illness / Cancer
  • Alzheimer’s / Dementia
  • Amyloidosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Fredericks Ataxia
  • Huntington’s Chorea

Acquired Brain Injury: 

  • Brain Injury
  • Alcohol Related Brain Injury
  • Stroke

Other High Level Care Need Groups:

  • Persons in wheelchair
  • Persons depending on specialised equipment to manage in the home such as hoists
  • Persons with high level of care support being provided in the home (generally more than one carer assigned)
  • Persons with spinal cord injuries such as quadriplegia or paraplegia

While the diagnosis alone, as outlined in the first two categories above, would entitle consideration for a grant, there would of course have to be the associated functional needs. In that context regard must be had to the existing accommodation and the level of support available.
The following general principles also applies: 

  • There must be a substantial restriction in the capacity of the person with a disability to carry on a profession, business or occupation or to participate in social or cultural life.
  • The person for whom the adaptation is being considered must be someone who has “permanent and substantial” disability.
  • The person must occupy the house as his / her normal place of residence
  • The purpose of providing adaptations is to increase or maintain functional independence of people with permanent and substantial disability. The level of provision will be dependent on the needs of the individual and or carer’s in relation to the individuals disability and technical feasibility.
  • The adaptation should in so far as it is practicable, take into account the clients short and long term needs. In the case of children, it is not always possible to do this until the age of five and therefore applications for assistance for works for children under the age of five will only be considered where their long term needs are clearly established. In such cases, confirmation will be required if the child has undergone an assessment of need consistent with Part 2 of the Disability Act, 2005. Where an assessment has taken place, regard will be had to the recommendations contained in the assessment report.

However,

  •  A disability in its own right does not automatically infer that a grant will be payable as the level of the disability and the functional difficulties which arise as a result must be taken into account. The level of severity, or existence of specific diagnosis does not imply that an applicant has significant needs in relation to housing.
  •  A short term disability would not necessarily qualify where for example an “aid” would overcome any functional difficulties which arise. Similarly, where a person undergoes treatment with an expected “curing” within a reasonable period, a grant would not be payable. An example of such a situation would be where a person has undergone a hip operation.
  • Infirmary associated with old age does not automatically qualify an applicant for grant assistance as the works proposed must be necessary and directly related to alleviating the applicants functional difficulties.
  • Behavioural problems in their own rights would not warrant grant assistance

. What type of Work is Covered

The types of works allowable under the scheme are varied and include the provision of access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities / accessible showers, stair-lifts, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access, extensions, and any other works that are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability.

It is a matter for each Local Authority to decide, inter alia, the circumstance in which a grant may be paid and if so, the works which are necessary to make the accommodation more suitable for the person with the disability and the level of grant to be paid.

This must all be considered against the background of the ongoing need to obtain best possible value for money.

In general, 

  • The key point is that the grant is a targeted grant towards meeting the accommodation needs of the person with a disability who has special needs and any works proposed must therefore help overcome the restrictions which arises as a result of the disability.
  • The works must be necessary to improve the quality of life of the person with the disability.
  • The adaptation work must be “essential and practical” and “necessary and appropriate”.
  • Where there are options for meeting an applicants identified need, the most cost effective option will be proposed.
  • The type of work will be more directed at adaptations than extensions and the provision of an extension will be the last resort. If there is any room available in a dwelling which can meet the needs of the person with a disability, the grant will only be available for adaptations to that room as opposed to the provision of an extra room. Where however a client wishes to proceed with the extra room, it will have to be built to the appropriate standards although the grant assistance available will be the “adaptation” cost.
  • In many cases, bath aids or other aids may be an appropriate remedy as opposed to the carrying out of structural repairs to a dwelling.
  • A guideline for qualifying works is “would the person still need the works / facilities if they did not have a disability. If so, then the Housing Adaptation Grant is not appropriate and in such a case it must be clearly understood that the Housing Adaptation Grant does not cover the provision of facilities needed because of overcrowding, or the carrying out of general improvements / maintenance works to dwellings.
  • Works, which are of general benefit to the household rather than of specific benefit to the person with the disability or where the works do not directly alleviate the disability, are not covered under the Scheme.
  • Under no circumstances will an application be considered where it is deemed to be a case of more “ordinary” maintenance or improvement works as opposed to being a case where a special need arises as a result of disability.

Ramps/Railings
A Grant may be payable in respect of the provision of a ramp or railing to one or either of the front or back doors to a dwelling. The resurfacing of complete driveways or streets will not be covered under the Scheme.

In exceptional circumstances where the person with disability is confined to a wheelchair or is seriously immobile, a contribution towards the cost of the provision of a short pathway to the door can be considered.

Bathrooms / Level Access Showers
The adaptation of a bathroom to provide special shower and toilet facilities may be considered where these are deemed necessary. In many cases, the recommended works will be the provision of a level deck shower or other alteration to a bathroom. The Scheme is not designed to cover the whole bathroom suite i.e. w.c., wash hand basin to be upgraded as standard as part of a bathroom renovation. In many cases the standard suites may be of poor condition and need upgrading but this is not considered appropriate under the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme. In such cases, only the provision of the necessary facilities will be grant aided.

Stair Lifts
The provision of a stair lift will be considered as opposed to provision of an extension where this is practical and where it clearly meets the needs of the person with the disability.

Doorways/Hallways
Where an applicant is confined to a wheelchair, the widening of doorways/hallways may be considered where they are deemed necessary. Standard doors will be covered and does not include intercom doors.

Bedrooms
In the case of a two storey house, the building at ground floor level of a bedroom may be considered where the person with the disability is unable to access the existing bedroom due to the disability. The conversion of an existing room or the provision of a stair lift will take precedence over the provision of an extension where this clearly meets the needs of the person with the disability.

Kitchen
Where the person with a disability is confined to a wheelchair and has the physical ability and motivation to prepare food in a suitably adapted kitchen, alterations may be necessary to the kitchen area. Any alterations however must be specifically provided to enable the use of the kitchen by the person with the disability and not just to improve an inadequate kitchen. Works, which could be carried out would be the provision of some form of limited work top area and electrical sockets. In exceptional cases, the kitchen may be enlarged to enable circulation.

Provision of Heating Systems
Grants are not generally available for the provision of central heating alone under the disability grants as assistance for this work is available from other Authorities/Agencies. Where however there are other works being carried under the disability grant scheme, such as the provision of an additional room, the extension of an existing heating system to the additional room can be considered.

Provision of Water Supply/Sewage
Where there are no existing water/sewerage facilities in a dwelling, these can be considered for inclusion in the works. An example would be where the only existing water supply is an outside tap or where there is an outside toilet.

As separate grants are available from the Water, Environment & Emergency Department for the provision of a well water supply, this is not covered under the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme.

Windows
Only in exceptional circumstances will monies be provided for replacement of windows other than provision of new windows in an extension.

Replacement Works
Where an existing kitchen/shed is to be replaced to facilitate a new extension to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability, the Grant can cover the cost of the replacement of such facilities.

External Works
The Scheme will be focused on the provision of works to the accommodation unit and with the exception of the provision of ramps/railing/pathways in exceptional circumstances, external works will not be covered. An example of such works would be the provision of car port, external garage/shed or utility etc.

Stand Alone Living Quarters/Self Contained Flat
The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme does not provide for stand alone living quarters/self contained flat etc.

Smoke Alarms
It is strongly recommended that an applicant should include smoke alarms in any suite of works undertaken, if not already present and operating in a dwelling. The preferred option is to include the provision of mains operated smoke alarm in conjunction with any rewiring works that are taking place.
Alternatively as a minimum, at least, two self contained, ten year battery operated alarms should be installed. In such cases it is important to ensure that batteries are frequently checked and replaced as required.

Other Works
Other minor works that is reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability may be considered.

Minor Works
In general, individuals who require grant aid for minor works (i.e. ramps, level access showers, grab rails and stair lifts), and who satisfy the means test provisions, should apply for assistance under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme. There is of course nothing preventing an applicant applying for such works under the Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme.         Click here for an Application Form