[daniella]

Hello

I thought this petition that I have set up might be of interest to people who use this web site. I am asking the government to remove VAT from all Disabled Facilities Grant Works, as at the moment only some works (mainly ramps, lifts and bathrooms) are VAT exempt, while other works such as bedrooms and kitchens are not. This can substantially reduce the amount of grant available (currently a maximum of £30k). I work as a Technical Officer for a Local Authority Adaptations Agency, so I see first hand the effect that this tax can have on clients. The petition is at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/DFG-VAT/ Thanks

[russ1]

At the moment the VAT rules apply across the board. As a disabled facilities grant is means tested this would mean that those getting a grant would get the additional VAT exemption and those who don't qualify because they have savings or income not getting it and being subject to the current rules. I'd be a lot more comfortable signing this petition if it was ammended to apply to all work arising from a need to adapt a property due to disability and not just to work covered by a disabled facilities grant.

[daniella]

Hi, Unfortunately I can't amend the petition as it would negate the signatures of all the people who have already signed it. The reason I was concentrating on DFGs is because the Communities department have already considered doing this, but then chickened out by saying it was a treasury matter so they couldn't do anything about it. I'm hoping to prod the treasury into thinking about it.

A lot of Local Authorities are looking at abolishing the means test (as it has been proven that it costs more to carry out a means test on every applicant than is generated by the relative few who have a contribution tpo pay), so hopefully soon everyone will be entitled to a grant, and so won't need to fund their own works (unless it is above the £30k limit), as is currently the case with children.

I would hope that they would abolish VAT for all disabled adaptations works (both privately or grant funded), but I can see that there might be more scope for confusion/grey area with private adaptations as to what is a necessity and what is a luxury, whereas there is a strict criteria for DFGs, so by definition all works are necessary and relevant to the disability.

Hope that explains better why I worded it as I did.

[Grinner]

We are having problems at the moment with our adpations to our bungalow.

My husband is incomplete C4&5 we moved from our old propetry to a bungalow, this is not a council property its our own home which we have had to obtain a mortgage for.

We want to have an extension built so he can have an ensuite wet room, our local council are saying no to this as we have an exisiting bathroom that could be converted bearing in mind this is at the other end of the bungalow so he would have to go past our 17 mth old sons room, the kitchen and the live in carers room, naked to get to the bathroom. How are we all supposed to share a bathroom given the high level of his injury toiletting abd showering are time consuming. He is entitled to his privacy and dignity who are they to decide this!

We have obtained a quote for the works to be carried out bearing in mind the disabilities facilities grant is up to 25k the works including all door ways to be widened etc is 17k.

It makes me really frustrated that we have been through enough since his accident trying to cope with just having a child and our lives turned upside down that we are not getting the help we deserve.

Is it normal for you to have to fight for everything from your local authority??

[robbo100bike]

Re:Grinners post

It certainly seems to be the way in this country, you fight for everything and sadly there are plenty of scroungers who seem to get it all!!

Would it not be possible to re-mortgage and get the money you need now. do the work and it should only add value to the property??

Good luck

[russ1]

Grinner, on Jun 17 2008, 12:30 PM, said:

It makes me really frustrated that we have been through enough since his accident trying to cope with just having a child and our lives turned upside down that we are not getting the help we deserve.

Is it normal for you to have to fight for everything from your local authority??

It's not unknown by any means - can you get the support of an OT (maybe from your spinal unit) to support your case as this would help you. I strongly suggest that you write to your MP setting out just why you need a separate bathroom and if possible backd up with the written support of an OT and copied to the council. It might take a while but perseverence is your best weapon and once the council see that you're not going away and will make their lives a misery they'll probably relent. Don't give up.

[catmint]

Hi Grinner

When I first read your post I thought it was a planning issue ..been there!!

I would think this is their first respose..I agree with Russ they probably hope you will just go away. Get as many people on your side, if you have a good GP,district nurse,Ot any one and everyone who will write to the council supporting your application. Make it plain you are not going to give up on this. Something I realised many years is that "they" are just doing their job whereas for us it is personal so try not to let it get to you. Offering to go round and break their legs with a baseball bat "just so they'll know what its like" won't help..( I know from experience!!) Don't give up. Keep a copy of every letter you send and every reply you get.

In answer to your question..Yes...but thats the way it is.

Hang in there.

L

[fenlander]

Hi Grinner
Just wondered how you are getting on?

[daniella]

Hi Grinner,

I'm assuming you will be looking at a wet room. It might be worth arguing that as you have small children, you can't remove the bath (I don't know any 2 year olds who will use a shower) and therefore need a separate wet room. This argument has been used many times in the Accessible homes agency where I work.