If the property is owned, rented privately or from housing providers, changes can be made to the property to support independence of a cared for person. If you live in a rental property, you may still be able to make these major changes but will need permission from the landlord.
Section 7 - Support at Home Equipment & Adaptations
Managing with day-to-day tasks can become increasingly difficult for someone living with a long-term health condition. Their condition may worsen over time, leaving them increasingly reliant on you as their Carer for support. Alternatively, their needs may fluctuate from day to day, with some days needing more support than others. There may be help available within the home that can support someone’s independence. This can enable someone to take back some control over their own care needs and reduce reliance on the Carer.
VAT Relief
If you are disabled, you will generally have to pay VAT on the things you buy. However, VAT relief’s available on a limited range of goods and services for disabled people.
This isn’t a VAT refund system and there’s no facility for HMRC to refund VAT to you if you’re entitled to buy VAT-free goods.
If you’re entitled to buy VAT-free goods, your supplier won’t charge you VAT.
Goods that can be bought VAT free because of your disability including:
There are various levels of equipment and adaptations available for people to use.
• Medical and surgical appliances • Invalid wheelchairs and Mobility scooters • Equipment to aid the hard of hearing and low vision aids • Specialist beds, chair and stair lifts, rise and recline chairs and other lifting equipment and sanitary devices • Goods that have been designed solely for disabled people • Computer equipment • Emergency alarm call systems • Boats • Parts and accessories Further information can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/reliefs-from-vat-for-disabled-and- older-people-notice-7017 Disabled Facilities Grant Major adaptations can cost a significant amount of money. The disabled facilities grant is there to help people with disabilities make the necessary adaptations in their home to support their independence. Grants are available from £1,000 through to £30,000 and are means tested by a financial assessment on the person with the condition, and their partner (if they have one). There is not a means test for a child. An occupational therapy assessment needs to recommend the changes requested as part of the application process for a Disabled Facilities Grant.
Reducing Falls in the Home
https://northamptonshire.steadyonyourfeet.org
Low level equipment When we refer to ‘equipment’ at a low level we are speaking about devices, tools or gadgets aimed to make it easier for a person to carry out everyday tasks independently. For example, this could include easy use kitchen equipment, clocks that speak the time audibly for those with reduced vision or cognitive difficulties, electronically timed medication boxes that open for medication access at programmed points during the day. There are a number of options available depending on the presenting need or task the person is struggling to manage. Minor adaptations This is equipment that needs to be installed in the home for the person to use. This could look like a grab rail to help you in and out of bed, or a chair raiser which brings the height of the chair up making it easier to sit and stand in. There are a lot of options available that can help. In Northamptonshire these items are assessed and prescribed to meet the need of the person requiring support. Major adaptations Major adaptations are large scale changes to the home, which cost over £1,000. Examples of this may include widening doors, installing wet rooms, adapting kitchens, installing through floor lifts, stair lifts and other options. These are changes that are recommended following assessment by Occupational Therapists. These are often referred to as ‘major adaptations’ or ‘home adaptations.
www.westnorthants.gov.uk/housing-private-sector/disabled-facilities-grants-dfg
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/housing/housing-grants/disabled-facilities-grant-0
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