Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Deferred
Simplify the DFG means test by integrating assessment into a reformed social care means test.
Recommendation
The Government must also simplify the means test. The Government should consider including assessment for the DFG as part of a reformed social care means test, as recommended by the External Review in 2018. (Paragraph 58) 32 Disabled people in the housing sector
Government Response Summary
The government notes local authorities already have flexibility with the means test and states it will continue to keep different aspects of the Disabled Facilities Grant, including the means test, under consideration.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
31. Local authorities have a significant degree of flexibility in how they deliver home adaptations funding, including in relation to the means test. For example, they can publish a housing assistance policy to increase the upper limit of the grant or remove means testing for grants costing under a certain amount. Some local authorities could therefore decide to take a specific approach to ensure a working age disabled person is not disproportionately penalised if they feel this might be occurring. 32. We note the Committee’s recommendations. To ensure the DFG is as effective as possible, we will continue to keep different aspects of the grant under consideration, including the means test.