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Waiting for Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) - How long is too long?
Jean_OT
Member Posts: 528 Pioneering
Hi All
There are regular posts on the community by people concerned by the length of time they have been waiting to get DFG work done.
Question: But how long is too long?
Answer: Six months should be the maximum waiting time for a decision, and the work should be completed within a year following that.
That has been confirmed in a ruling by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, see: https://www.independentliving.co.uk/industry-news/how-long-for-dfg/ Also be aware that some local authorities have set themselves targets to get work done quicker than this, so check expected timescales with the local authority you applied to.
If your application are especially urgent (for example the work has to be done before you can be discharged from hospital) you may potentially be prioritised over less urgent DFG applications, so you may find the work should be done quicker.
If you have been waiting for what you feel is an unreasonable amount of time do check in with the OT team to ask what is happening. If necessary and appropriate, use the local authority complaints procedure to highlight the delays you are experiencing. If necessary escalate the complaint to the Ombudsman. If you have the energy you might also like to copy your complaint to your MP https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/ as it is important that people in their position are aware of the difficulties experienced by their disabled constituents when they needs equipment/adaptations.
Best Wishes
Jean
There are regular posts on the community by people concerned by the length of time they have been waiting to get DFG work done.
Question: But how long is too long?
Answer: Six months should be the maximum waiting time for a decision, and the work should be completed within a year following that.
That has been confirmed in a ruling by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, see: https://www.independentliving.co.uk/industry-news/how-long-for-dfg/ Also be aware that some local authorities have set themselves targets to get work done quicker than this, so check expected timescales with the local authority you applied to.
If your application are especially urgent (for example the work has to be done before you can be discharged from hospital) you may potentially be prioritised over less urgent DFG applications, so you may find the work should be done quicker.
If you have been waiting for what you feel is an unreasonable amount of time do check in with the OT team to ask what is happening. If necessary and appropriate, use the local authority complaints procedure to highlight the delays you are experiencing. If necessary escalate the complaint to the Ombudsman. If you have the energy you might also like to copy your complaint to your MP https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/ as it is important that people in their position are aware of the difficulties experienced by their disabled constituents when they needs equipment/adaptations.
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist