§ Ms Rosie WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make housing adaptations more affordable for families with disabled children; and if he will make a statement. [117650]
§ Mr. RaynsfordEach year, nearly 25,000 people receive disabled facilities grants to help with the cost of adapting their homes. However, some parents of disabled children are finding it difficult to afford their contributions, because no account is taken of the additional cost of housing a disabled child.
To make adaptations more affordable, I am introducing into the grant assessment a new housing allowance of £65 for applications on behalf of a disabled child. For other applicants, the allowance for housing costs will increase by £10 to £50. The new allowances, which come into effect today, will save parents of disabled children up to £9,000 and other applicants up to £3,500, depending on the size of their contributions.