How do people get funding for Home Modifications???

Post 1

Posted 24th July 2006 at 5:24 PM
Author Lara Oram
Last Edited 24th July 2006 at 6:41 PM



I was asked how consumers got funding for Home
Modifications.

My reply was, this is quite complex because it
depends on eligibility criteria, funding program
guidelines and knowledge of what is available.
Many OT's for instance assume that the HACC
funded Home Modification and Maintenance
program is the first port of call. My understanding
is that this underestimates the large numbers of
persons who do not apply for funding or who are
covered under other programs. Sometimes more
than one funding source will be required.

The list that I use to alert entry level OT students to
includes but is not limited to the following:

1. There is some evidence that the majority of
consumers who are not financially constrained
include access changes as a part of general
renovation, remodelling work. Some stats from the
US place this figure somewhere roughly about
80%. Exact numbers are difficult to ascertain
though as this is not a typical general census
question and the Disability, Ageing and Carers
survey, whilst it indicated that there was a 35%
unmet need, didn't ask about how needs were
met. Bunnings at Ashfield for instance, now stocks
an extensive array of handrails, grabrails and
other more traditional disability fixtures for the
home handyman or local builder.

2. The second most common funding avenue for
major renovations is via Industrial and MVA
Compensation often finances modification work
through court settlements. This is particularly
common for younger persons, particularly those
with spinal injuries.

For those with financial difficulties and no liability
coverage, or those who are tenants of particular
organisations.

Funding options for home modifications include:

3. Home Modification and Maintenance HACC
funded services (must meet eligibility criteria i.e.
already living in the community and at risk of
institutionalisation without modification work).
HACC will NOT fund extensions (i.e.. additional
bedroom/bathroom), assistive devices or
mechanical equipment, so often issues emerge
around installation of kit ramps, lifts and track
hoists. Thus, eligible clients often also require
simultaneous access to Program of Appliances for
Disabled People (PADP) Scheme funding to
cover this equipment.

4. Potentially homeless persons are funded under
the Supported Accommodation Package (SAP)

5. Intellectually disabled persons are funded
under the Disability Support Package DSP

6. Veterans and war widows are funded under the
Department of Veterans affairs (DVA) monies.

7. Tenants of government departments such as
Department of Housing are funded under the
Department of Housing monies.

8. Tenants of the Aboriginal Housing office may
be funded under the Aboriginal Housing grants
scheme.

9. Tenants of housing provided by organisations
such as the Maritime Union are funded under the
Union.

10. Tenants of religious organisations such as
organisations like the Church of England's
housing [Priest accomodation and aged care
facilities] are funded under parish allocations

11. The local rotary club often funds permanent
fixtures such as lifts, stair climbers, generators etc.
and or extensions particularly in rural areas for
persons having acute injury who are not covered
by compensation or who are excluded from
PADP. [Note: Children and young people under
16 years of age and people on low
incomes are the only persons eligible for the full
range of equipment provided by PADP].

12. The variety club ditto

13. the apex club ditto; and

14.the Lions club ditto.

Cheers Katy

PS: All organisations and or funding sources have
different eligibility criteria and various (read non-
uniform) strategies for assessment and response.
The timeframes also differ markedly.

Catherine Bridge  -