Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance
Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance (DHFA) may be given to help people live safely and independently in their homes where their needs cannot be met through a mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant.
Councils are under no obligation to award Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance, however, subject to the availability of funding, Local Housing Authorities may award assistance on a case-by-case basis.
Assistance may include:
- helping an applicant to move to a suitable home (relocation)
- topping up mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)
- helping reduce delayed transfers of care (DTOC), e.g. priority works needed to facilitate hospital discharge
- helping people stay safe, warm and well
- provide aids and adaptations for people with specific conditions e.g. dementia, learning disabilities, neurodiversity and sensory impairments
- assisting with an applicant's contribution to a mandatory grant
Applications for assistance can be made by both owner-occupiers and tenants.
Depending on financial circumstances applicants may need to make a contribution towards the cost of the required works. This includes applications relating to disabled facilities for children.
Discretionary housing financial assistance can only be applied for once in each financial year, unless exceptional circumstances can be evidenced to the satisfaction of the Council.
Applications must be supported in writing by one of the following:
- Occupational Therapist or Community Care Officer
- GP or medical professional e.g. Practice Nurse
- Local Authority Officer e.g. Housing or Environmental Health Officer, Wellbeing Lincs
- Professional from another appropriate organisation
Full details of our Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance Policy can be found in the Lincolnshire Discretionary Housing Financial Assistance Policy & Explanatory Notes (PDF, 643 KB).
For further information or to request an application form, you can contact us:
- telephone on 01205 314563
- email us at dfg@boston.gov.uk
- write to us at DFG, Boston Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston. PE21 8QR.
For help with Discretionary Housing Payments, such as rent arrears, rent deposits, moving cost etc. please visit https://www.Boston.gov.uk/HBCTS
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