§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will raise the income thresholds for eligibility under the disabled facilities grant scheme. [51265]
§ Ms KeebleThe means test for disabled facilities grant makes a careful assessment of an applicant's resources and expenditure needs in order to calculate whether he is in a position to contribute towards any required adaptation to the property. The Government think that this test is fair and reasonable and because demand for DFG is very high it ensures that help goes to those most in need. Many of the detailed allowances used in the assessment are updated annually and SI 2002 No.530, which came into force on 1 April, makes the necessary changes which will be applicable for the year 2002–03.