Disability grant refused

[Nettie]

I was approved for the grant all work I needed was approved and I’m still waiting from aug/sept, I had a fall on the stairs and they said I had to get the bed downstairs, so now I’m living downstairs no washing facilities apart from kitchen sink and they think that’s acceptable, and I was down as priority!!!! It’s a joke 😡

[Mary C]

Hi Nettie and House 44.Thats the problem as even if grant awarded there is usually a waiting list..not easy with MNDs unpredictable pattern.Are second hand/ refurbished stair lifts or through floor lifts worth pricing up?Would MND association help with cost of stairlifts( not sure just asking).I bought my equipment ( lifts) second hand at half the price of new lifts.However I do understand to many people this too may not be affordable.Best wishes .Mary

[matthew55]

I'm confused as my local council have said that when I need stairlift ,wetroom, hoists et all they will provide for free. That's what I have been paying tax, poll tax and National Insurance for since the beginning of time. 😁x

[Nettie]

Hi Nettie and House 44.Thats the problem as even if grant awarded there is usually a waiting list..not easy with MNDs unpredictable pattern.Are second hand/ refurbished stair lifts or through floor lifts worth pricing up?Would MND association help with cost of stairlifts( not sure just asking).I bought my equipment ( lifts) second hand at half the price of new lifts.However I do understand to many people this too may not be affordable.Best wishes .Mary

I wished I could buy them myself Mary but just can’t afford it we’ve just spent what little savings we had on a Wav x hopefully not too long a wait now 🤞🏻 X

[SueM]

It does seem to be a bit of a postcode lottery, I have been assured that I have been given a grant (not means tested) for a wet room. We even had the company who would do the work contact us as a matter of urgency. However it has been put on hold as the local authority OT doesn’t think its future proof. If only I had a crystal ball!

[House44]

After a couple of weeks of asking for a brake down of finances and why I was declined Solihull council have point blank told me today there is no money in the pot. I said I was going to quit my job so I would qualify for the grant which she replied don’t do it because u still won’t get it.
unsure where to go from here, I’ve emailed my local MPs but if there’s no money it’s probably a waste of time. Unbelievable 😣

[Bowler]

After a couple of weeks of asking for a brake down of finances and why I was declined Solihull council have point blank told me today there is no money in the pot. I said I was going to quit my job so I would qualify for the grant which she replied don’t do it because u still won’t get it.
unsure where to go from here, I’ve emailed my local MPs but if there’s no money it’s probably a waste of time. Unbelievable 😣

Have you spoken with the MNDA to find out if the council have a statutory obligation under the health and safety act.
Or citizens advice may be able to advise

[Ellie]

House44 Sorry Wayne, it must be soul destroying... x

[Shaun]

Have you spoken with the MNDA to find out if the council have a statutory obligation under the health and safety act.
Or citizens advice may be able to advise

Just to make sure we are all talking about the same thing Disability facilities Grant.
This is mandatory and a legal for all councils to offer , there are some basic government rules,

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants/what-youll-get

but it is means tested and this is where it’s our famous post code lottery plays a large part, All councils can set their own means tested rules , and the best bit is they don’t have to tell you want their rules are, you have to make the claim, including reports from everyone involved in your care, just one odd comment could jeopardise your claim.
the only golden ticket given out is for those people who get certain existing means tested benefits (not PIP)
How much is given is also down to each individual council, they can also set how much you have to pay, they can also specify who does the work,

also to be considered is your own councils budget, if they don’t have the budget they don’t have the dosh, they would have allocated an amount for the year, but they should be able to defer to next financial year, not a great help I know.

House I find it most strange that your council have just given you, we got no money, and I think that is wrong and you are right to take this up with your MP and citizens advice, as said to you before disability discrimination act, is our friend,
but please remember they don’t have to give it all to you, you may have to contribute, and they will control exactly what improvements you’re get.

There are other improvements/adaptation you may get free from your council, as long as the are under a £1000

House, mnda do offer a benefits help line , but your local citizens advice bureau may have more local knowledge and contacts to try and help you

[Bowler]

Nice one Shaun 👍

[Shaun]

Sent you a PM
shaun

[Beemer]

That answers a lot of questions Shaun, it may not help some people, though they can try CAB and/or MNDA.
Thank you.

Dave

[Banned]

This is long overdue a overhaul.

No one knows how to get MND and if they did, would avoid it like the plague.

People smoke and get diabetes as a life style, yet are rewarded with free NHS!!

SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG.