home &
garden adaptations and gardening help scheme
home & garden adaptations and gardening help scheme
It is our aim to help, where possible, our residents who are older or disabled to live more independantly. Adaptations can be made allowing you to remain in your home for as long as possible. There is also a Gardening Help Scheme for those who find it difficult maintaining larger garden jobs such as grass and hedge cutting. This leaflet details what types of adaptations can be provided to help make your life easier in your home and how the Gardening Help Scheme works. If you would like more information please call our Customer Service Centre on 01892 501480 who will be happy to further discuss your needs.
Adaptations These fall into two categories Minor adaptations these include things such as: •
grabrails
•
handrails
•
lever taps and
•
small ramps
Please note we do not provide mobile aids such as bath boards and toilet support frames. Major adaptations these include things such as: •
level access showers
•
additional toilet facilities
•
lifts and access improvements
Q What is the application process •
inor adaptations Normally you will require a letter from your M doctor, hospital, occupational therapist or similar giving details of the work you need done. If your requirements are simple or we are familiar with your needs, this may not even be necessary. Once a request is accepted, our approved contractor will carry out the work.
•
ajor adaptations You will need to contact Social Services M who will assess your needs, and they will then contact us. Our surveyor will then visit you with the occupational therapist to consider the proposals. Plans will be drawn up, building regulations approval sought (if necessary) and the works sent for pricing. The funding for the work is provided through a grant application (subject to means testing) once agreed our approved contractor will carry out the work.
Q Who will pay? •
Minor adaptations We will fund these internally.
•
Major adaptations These are paid for from grants. The main grant, the Disabled Facilities Grant, is means tested. Your local council will look at your income and savings and assess how much, if anything, you will have to pay. Grant assessment forms, which will give you an idea of how much you may have to pay, are available from your local council (contact numbers at the end). If you do have to make a payment, Social Services may be able to help
Q How long will you have to wait? •
inor adaptations These are targeted for completion M within 20 working days - sooner if the requirement is urgent
•
ajor adaptations will take longer, depending on available M funds and complexity of the works. Our Asset Investment team will be able advise you on the progress. Alternatively, you could contact your council’s housing department directly for a Disabled Facilities Grant or *pay for the work to be carried out yourself
* Please note If you arrange for the works to be carried out yourself you will have to obtain permission from Town & Country before any work can commence Grant Assessment Forms These forms are also available from your local council
Q What happens when the work is carried out? Unfortunately disruption is unavoidable, but once the work is completed it will be so worth while, making your life easier •
ork outside your home This is usually quicker and W less disruptive than inside. Before works start you should clear away all personal belongings. eg move your favourite plants that could be damaged
•
ork inside your home You may have temporary loss of the W use of your toilet, bath, etc. Electricity and water supplies may have to be turned off. There may be dust and fumes. Work may take up to 2 weeks but it will be supervised throughout
Useful telephone numbers Town & Country Housing Group Asset Investment 01892 501480 Social Services: Kent: 0300 041 6161 (ask for County Duty Service) East Sussex: 0345 608 0191 Local Borough Councils: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
01892 526121
Wealden District Council
01323 443301
Maidstone Borough Council
01622 602237
Dover District Council
01304 821199
Canterbury City Council
01227 862000
Gardening Help Scheme If you have a garden and would like help cutting the grass or hedges we may be able to help If there is no one living with you who can do the work and you are above pensionable age or have a disability that prevents you from doing the work yourself you could be eligible for this service You will need to provide evidence of your age and or disability How does the scheme work? Your grass will be cut 10 times during the mowing season and if you have the hedge trimming service they will be cut twice a year. Grass and hedge cuttings will be picked up. The charges are payable for 48 weeks of the year and are reviewed each year Please note to use this service you must have a clear rent account and if not maintained the service will be withdrawn and you will still be charged for the entire year. The Gardening Help scheme is not covered by Housing Benefit
How to apply for the scheme • Fill out the form opposite and return it to: Operations, Monson House, Monson Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LQ • We will assess your application and let you know whether you are eligible to join this scheme and confirm the weekly charge • The Contractor who will carry out the work will then be notified The appropriate charge will be added to your rent account Please note If you decide to leave the scheme part way through the year you will still be charged for the remainder of the year
Application to join the Gardening Help Scheme Name Address
Contact number Date of Birth n I have included proof of age and/or my disability I agree to pay the additional weekly charge as part of my rent for a period of one year, and understand that the charge is not eligible for housing benefit I understand the agreement would be reviewed after one year and that it can only be terminated by me on the anniversary of the agreement Signed
Date
For office use only n A pproved
n N ot approved
Date Reason
Signed Date tenant notified
(tick appropriate box)
Contacting us
You can call us 01892 501480
or email us info@tchg.org.uk
Monson House, Monson Way Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LQ