Longstanding barriers which may have prevented residents in the district seeking help to pay for disabled equipment in the home have been removed, according to Tendring District Council (TDC).
The council says it should now be easier for residents to access grants to help pay for home adaptations such as wet rooms, stairlifts and ramps. It will also help with works to prevent hospital admissions or help people return home more quickly, including heating replacements.
In 2024/25, 155 households in the district benefited from this support, with £1.48million in grants agreed. For the current financial year, the council received £2.8million from the Better Care Fund to continue delivering assistance.
The council’s updated Financial Assistance Policy for Housing comes into effect from April 1. It removes means testing for mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants for adults, increases maximum grant levels for discretionary assistance and removes repayment conditions for most owner-occupiers.
It also introduces new options, including a Help to Move Grant for residents whose homes cannot be adapted, and renewed renovation assistance to support wider social care needs.
Councillor Andy Baker, TDC cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “For many people, these grants are genuinely lifechanging. They can mean the difference between struggling at home and living safely and independently – or between staying in hospital and getting back where you belong.
“This new policy builds on outdated national rules that no longer reflect the reality of modern living costs. By removing unnecessary barriers, we’re ensuring help is based on need rather than red tape, and that the funding we receive benefits as many Tendring residents as possible.”
To support increased takeup, the council is restructuring its Housing Grants team and will continue funding a dedicated occupational therapist to speed up assessments and delivery. Existing Disabled Facilities Grant applicants will be contacted to advise of any changes to their application process.
