DHP AWARDED FOR SIGNIFICANT ADAPTATIONS -ANYONE?

Has anyone had a DHP successfully awarded on grounds of significant adaptations? 

We cover 10 local authority areas and to date have not had one tenant awarded a DHP for this reason; even when it would cost local authority £1000’s to move each person to a smaller property and provide them with new adaptations at that address.

I thought this was something that had to be considered by LA.

Any advice/info/guidance appreciated.

Thank you

Elaine

Page 36 of DHP guidance manual -
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/184207/discretionary-housing-payments-guide.pdfThe household’s medical circumstances, health or support needs

gives the section below -  the problem is the guidance is superlatively vacuous and the wretched thing is discretionary anyway! But what you say seems eminent common sense.

5.4 You may wish to consider whether the following apply.
•
Does the household have health or support needs which require them to remain in a particular property?
•
Does the household have a health problem which means that the choice of housing is restricted either temporarily or permanently?
•
Does the claimant require an extra room because of a health problem that affects them or a member of their household?
•
Does the household have to live where they do because of the need for access to medical or support services – for example a particular hospital?
•
Does the household have extra health-related expenses, such as the need for therapeutic classes or non-prescription medicine?

Thank you very much. You’re right of course…it is discretionary at the end of the day so there can be guidance until we are blue in the face and it won’t make a difference..

I will throw the guidance at them anyway - certainly nothing to lose.

I’ve seen several awarded by South Gloucestershire Council for exactly this reason.
Interestingly so long as the housing association (we have no council properties in South Glos) confirms that there has been significant adaptation that is accepted by the HB Dept.

Hi,

The City of Edinburgh Council award DHP where the property has been significantly adapted for a disabled person or people within the household.  They also award:

Where kinship carers, Housing Benefit is reduced because of a
bedroom being used by, or kept free for, a kinship child or children

Where a child will have a significant birthday within one year from 01 April 2013 which would entitle the household to an extra bedroom

Where a claimant or their partner is within one year of pensionable age
from 01 April 2013

Where a member of the household requires an overnight carer

Where the claimant or their partner is pregnant and the birth of the child will increase the household’s bedroom entitlement.

So far, they have been really responsive to welfare reform and under occupancy in particular.