Departments Directions Social Fund Guide

Part 2 - Community Care Grants

Direction 4 (a)(ii) - Helping people to stay in the community

General

2600This section deals with payments for items and services that will help an applicant or a member of his family remain in the community rather than enter institutional or residential care.

2601Community Care Grants (CCGs) are intended primarily to help people live as independent a life as possible in the community. There does not have to be an immediate threat of being taken into care for a payment to be made, but consider giving a higher priority to an application if:

the threat of care is immediate or imminent and/or
there is a direct link between the threat of care and the need in question.

For example, if an applicant is unable to live independently without the informal help of a relative who moves away, the applicant will need to move as well

2602The lack of any one item alone is unlikely to cause someone to have to go into care.

A Community Care Grant may:

help to improve an applicant's existing living conditions
enable them to move to accommodation which is more suitable
move nearer to someone who can offer them support

2603An elderly or disabled person suffering from a deteriorating medical condition or whose home circumstances are deteriorating, may at some stage have to go into residential care. A Community Care Grant may delay such an admission and should therefore be considered.

2604Always consider if a Community Care Grant for a particular item or service would improve the applicant's independent life in the community and therefore lessen the risk of admission into residential care.

2605Consider giving a higher priority to a newly required item, which is needed as a direct result of a sudden deterioration in the person's ability to live independently, e.g. a microwave oven for a person no longer able to use their conventional cooker.

2606There are specialist firms which are able to supply robust items of furniture and equipment, e.g. beds, which you could consider to remove the need for regular replacement.

2607It is important to liaise with Social Services Departments or other key workers if they are already in contact with the applicant. Take into account the rules of confidentiality of both agencies.

2608-2619

Improving living conditions

2620This section deals with payments for items and services that will help:

an applicant or a member of his family to remain in their own home in the community
lessen the risk of going into institutional or residential care

2621The following groups of people may qualify for awards under this section:

frail elderly people, particularly those:
-with restricted mobility or
-who have difficulty in performing personal care tasks
people with physical or mental impairment
chronically sick people
terminally ill people
people who have misused alcohol, drugs or other substances

This list is not exhaustive.

Minor structural repairs, maintenance costs and improvements

2622A CCG may be awarded where:

the applicant or his partner is responsible for the repairs and improvements
the home is not Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) or Registered Housing Association (RHA) property and
the NIHE does not have a duty to carry out the work, e.g. under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland ) Act 1978

If necessary, you may ask applicants if they possess an estimate for the work when considering whether a repair or improvement is minor. See paras 2624-2625 below as well as paras 2067-2072.

2623The Department has directed that Community Care Grants cannot be made for repairs and improvements to the dwelling occupied as the home, including any garage, garden and outbuildings, other than minor repairs and improvements.

2624The use of the term “repairs and improvements” includes the cost of both materials and labour. A repair will generally put right something that is defective. An improvement will generally upgrade something, or add something to the property that was not there before.

2625It is difficult to precisely define the term “minor”. The following considerations, however, will be relevant when deciding whether a repair or improvement is “minor” or not:

the nature and extent of the work
the time needed to complete the work
the cost of the work

2626If the applicant asks for a Community Care Grant to pay for repairs and improvement which are not minor, advise the applicant that:

an allowance towards the interest payable on a mortgage or loan taken out to finance some repairs or improvements may be included in the Income Support (IS), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IR)) or income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA(IB)). The IS (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, Schedule 3 para 16(2), the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, Schedule 6, para 17(2) and the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, Schedule 2, para 15(2), specify the repairs and improvements for which interest may be included in IS, ESA(IR) and JSA (IB) respectively. Ask the relevant officer who made the benefit decision on behalf of the Department what help may be available from the IS, ESA or JSA section for each individual case. For people under 60 in receipt of IS, ESA(IR) or JSA(IB), help for interest will not generally be payable until they have received IS, ESA(IR) or JSA(IB) for a specific period, such period being defined in the above regulations.
a CCG may be awarded for a survey fee charged which cannot be included in a mortgage or loan for which IS, ESA(IR) or JSA(IB) would be payable
government grants for home improvement and repair may be available under Part III of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. The NIHE administers the scheme.

Government grants for home improvement

2627The current framework was introduced in 1992, in Northern Ireland.

2628The main forms of help are:

renovation grants
disabled facilities grants
common parts grants
minor works grant

Renovation grants

2629Renovation grants are for:

necessary works of improvement and/or repair to a dwelling
provision of one or more dwellings by conversion

Renovation grants are discretionary.

Common parts grants

2631A common parts grant may be available if at least three quarters of tenants of a building containing flats have joint responsibility for repair and maintenance and participate in the application. Common parts grants are discretionary.

Disabled facilities grants

2632These are applicable where works are necessary and appropriate to meet the adaptation needs of a disabled person. Housing authorities seek the advice of Social Services Departments (SSDs) before approving an application. SSDs have responsibilities for seeing that the needs of disabled people are met and may sometimes give help with minor works, e.g. the installation of equipment such as handrails, under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978. Disabled facilities grants are:

mandatory, if the home requires work to facilitate access into and around the home, and provide or adapt essential amenities and heating and lighting controls
discretionary, if work would make a dwelling or building suitable for a disabled person's accommodation, welfare or employment in any other respect

Minor works grant

2633These are discretionary and may be linked to a Housing Agency Service. Help is:

subject to a maximum of £2000 per application or £4000 in relation to any property over a three year period
available to people receiving income-related benefits or those who are elderly, infirm or disabled and
in the form of a grant or provision of materials for:

- carrying out works for the purposes of section 52 (3) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 in a dwelling occupied by a disabled person
- repair to properties in or designated for a Clearance Area (`Patch and Mend')
- repairs, improvements or adaptations to properties owned or tenanted by an elderly person (`Staying Put')
- adaptations to enable another person to care for an elderly person (`Elderly Resident Adaptation')
- replacement of lead pipes to supply drinking water

2634The Warm Homes Scheme also provide help with energy costs.

Internal redecoration and refurbishment

2635If the applicant or partner is responsible for internal redecoration, a Community Care Grant (CCG) may be awarded, as long as the payment acts to promote community care, for either:

redecoration
refurbishment to improve the home, including furnishings, e.g. floor coverings that have worn out through many years of use

CCGs may also be awarded if the applicant or a member of his family has damaged the home or its contents through behavioural disturbance as a result of their particular condition. Para 2880 also refers.

2636CCGs should not normally be awarded to redecorate a single room if the rest of the home is adequately decorated, unless the applicant or partner is mainly confined to that room during the day. Decide if the standard of decoration is adequate but bear in mind that although furnishings may be serviceable they might still need replacing.

2637Decide the amount of the CCG and award the amount considered reasonable.

The award:

should normally only cover the cost of materials
may also include labour costs if the work cannot be done by:
- relatives
- friends
- neighbours
- charitable or voluntary organisations
- employment training

Bedding

2638A CCG should normally only be awarded if the applicant has an exceptional need for bedding, i.e. because the applicant or a member of his family is either:

bed ridden or incontinent and the bedding has to be changed regularly
confined to bed for a prolonged period or is housebound and needs extra warmth

Fuel Board charges

2639CCGs may be awarded for:

reconnection charges if the applicant's fuel supply has been disconnected and Third Party Deduction (TPD) action is being taken.
re-siting meters to allow a disabled person easier access
installation of prepayment meters if the applicant has difficulty budgeting for quarterly bills. The cost of any additional wiring or piping should be allowed if the site of the new meter is different from that of the old meter

2640The Department has directed that CCGs should not awarded for fuel bills. If the applicant has difficulty budgeting for fuel, refer the case to the TPD liaison officer to consider TPD.

Extra warmth

2641A CCG may be made for heaters where this would help the applicant or a member of his family to stay in the community. Be aware of schemes to increase energy efficiency, e.g. the Energy Action Grants Agency provides help through the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme with draughtproofing.

Laundry needs

2642 If the applicant or a member of his family is bedridden or incontinent:

a CCG may be considered for a washing machine. The award should cover the cost of either:
- a new machine including any connection charge
- repairs to a washing machine
and if there are no suitable drying facilities, e.g. outdoor drying area, drying cupboard, a CCG may be awarded for a tumble dryer, or if appropriate a dual function washing machine/ tumble dryer. The cost of connection may be met. Applicants should be advised that tumble dryers are expensive to run. Some applicants may prefer alternative drying facilities, e.g. spin dryers

2643Help with laundry needs may also be considered if:

an applicant is unable to wash by hand due to disability and
there is no one who can help with the laundry

2644-2659

Moving to more suitable accommodation

2660A CCG may be awarded to help a person to move to more suitable accommodation. This may be particularly important if the move will help the applicant or their family to lead an independent life in the community.

2661Consider the extent to which existing accommodation is not suited to the needs of the applicant or members of their family.

2662Amongst the factors to consider are:

steep stairs or living space on different levels
a bathroom that can only be reached with difficulty
inadequate toilet, bathing and washing facilities
unsanitary conditions
structural defects
the size of the accommodation
the housing costs of the present accommodation are not being met in full and therefore the applicant has reasonable grounds for moving

If in doubt, discuss the matter with other interested parties.

2663The following groups of people may benefit from awards under this section:

frail elderly people, particularly those:
- with restricted mobility or
- who have difficulty in performing personal care tasks
people with physical or mental impairment
chronically sick people
terminally ill people
people who have misused alcohol, drugs or other substances

This list is not exhaustive.

Removal expenses

2664You will normally be able to decide whether to make an award for removal expenses from the information on or supplied with the application. If you need to clarify the evidence or need further information, ask for, but do not insist on, as much supporting evidence from the applicant as is reasonable and necessary to substantiate the application, e.g. a removal estimate, without incurring any expense to the applicant.

See paras 2067-2072. If a person is moving to Great Britain because of intimidation, help may be available under a scheme operated by Bryson House, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast, Tel. (028) 90325835.

2665Many people hire self drive vans as an economical method of moving and a refundable deposit is often charged. A CCG would not be appropriate for this part of the cost. A self drive van will not be suitable for many applicants and should not be considered on grounds of economy only.

2666Do not award a CCG for removal expenses when:

the NIHE has a duty to protect a homeless person's property against loss or damage where it accommodates such a person under its homelessness duties under the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988
there is a compulsory exchange of NIHE tenancies
the applicant is rehoused after a compulsory purchase, closing or redevelopment order

See Direction 29(b).

Fares when moving home

2667A CCG may be awarded to an applicant or partner who incurs fares when travelling to take up tenancy of their new home.

Furniture, household equipment and connection charges

2668People moving home will normally already have most of the furniture they need. Consider awarding a CCG only in certain circumstances, e.g. when:

an applicant moves from furnished to unfurnished or partly furnished accommodation
items have been damaged because of the conditions in the old accommodation, e.g. bedding ruined by damp
items from the old accommodation are not suitable for the new, e.g. carpets and curtains which cannot be adapted to fit, or which need alteration

2669If the move involves moving or installing domestic appliances, the cost of disconnection and connection may be met.

2670-2679

Applicants moving nearer relatives/close friends who will provide support (including applicants moving into another household)

2680Try to check that the new care arrangement is meant to be permanent by talking informally to a member of the household who will be looking after the applicant. If this is not possible contact other interested parties, e.g. Social Services Department (SSD).

2681The following groups of people may benefit from awards under this section:

frail elderly people, particularly those:
- with restricted mobility or
- who have difficulty in performing personal care tasks
people with physical or mental impairment
chronically sick people
terminally ill people
people who have misused alcohol, drugs or other substances

This list is not exhaustive.

What types of need may be considered

2682Consideration may be given to one or more of the following. This list is not exhaustive:

removal expenses
fares when moving home
furniture and household equipment in exceptional circumstances, e.g. if the applicant moves from furnished or partly furnished accommodation. If the move involves moving or installing domestic appliances, the cost of disconnection and connection may be met

2683-2699

Applicants moving nearer to or into the house of vulnerable groups to provide greater support

2700CCGs may be awarded to applicants who will provide attention or supervision on a daily basis to a vulnerable person who would normally be a relative or close friend. The vulnerable person may or may not be in receipt of Income Support (IS), income-based JSA (JSA(IB)), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IR)) or State Pension Credit (SPC), or payment on account of such benefits.

2701If an applicant moves to support someone who is not in receipt of IS, JSA(IB), ESA(IR), SPC or payment on account of such benefits, the DM must apply the principles of determination set out in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992. Have particular regard to the:

nature, extent and urgency of the need
existence of resources from which the need may be met and
possibility that some other person or body may wholly or partly meet the need

2702If in doubt about the arrangements to provide support, contact the SSD in the area into which the applicant is to move.

2703The following groups of people may benefit from awards under this section:

frail elderly people, particularly those:
- with restricted mobility or
- who have difficulty in performing personal care tasks
people with physical or mental impairment
chronically sick people
terminally ill people
people who have misused alcohol, drugs or other substances

This list is not exhaustive.

What types of need may be considered

2704Consideration may be given to one or more of the following. This list is not exhaustive:

removal expenses
fares when moving home
furniture and household equipment in exceptional circumstances e.g. if the applicant moves from furnished or partly furnished accommodation. If the move involves moving or installing domestic appliances, the cost of disconnection and connection may be met.

2705-2719

Applicants moving within the community to set up home for the first time

2720Give particular consideration to vulnerable homeless or recently homeless people, e.g. young people, rough sleepers and people with a history of medical problems, e.g. alcohol or drug abuse, if there is a danger that they may otherwise go into institutional or residential care. See Part 3 Crisis Loans for details of some of the risks to persons without accommodation. If a young person has left Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT) care in the last 12 months consider an award under Direction 4(a)(i). See section on young people leaving care.

2721If necessary, consult a named contact, e.g. hostel or voluntary worker to see if they have additional information about the applicant's health or other circumstances which will assist in determining the application. Take care to observe the rules of confidentiality.

2722The following groups of people may qualify for awards under this section:

frail elderly people, particularly those:
- with restricted mobility or
- who have difficulty in performing personal care tasks
people with physical or mental impairment
chronically sick people
terminally ill people
people who have misused alcohol, drugs or other substances

This list is not exhaustive.

What types of need may be considered

2723Consideration may be given to one or more of the following. This list is not exhaustive:

furniture, household equipment, connection charges
removal expenses and storage charges
fares when moving home

2724-2739

Other circumstances

2740Awards under other circumstances may be made if the purpose of community care is satisfied. You should take account of the individual circumstances of such an application when deciding the priority of it.

2741A CCG may still be appropriate if the particular circumstances merit it. Use discretion sensitively and with imagination when considering other circumstances.

2742-2749