Case studies
Mr M recevies Income Support and Disability Living Allowance. He also has various health problems. His only form of heating was a coal fire, and although he qualified for a heating grant to fully install central heating to his home, there was no gas supply to the property so the work could not start.
The agency approached the local authority for funding to install a gas supply and meter, but no funding was available. The agency then looked at a range of other funding options, and was successful in applying for a much-needed payment of £529.94 from the Foundations Independent Living Trust Hardship Fund.
This meant that work could go ahead and Mr M now has central heating throughout his home.
Mrs G is 79 and in poor health. She has asthma, back problems, bronchitis and osteoporosis. The radiators in her bedroom, living room and hallway were not working properly due to a blockage in the pipework, which is quite old and buried in the floor. The home improvement agency investigated the work needed and found that the pipe needed to be isolated and re-routed to solve the problem, costing around £500.
There was a possibility of a local authority grant to cover this work, but from the agency's experience this grant could take up to seven months to process. It would also mean that Mrs G would not be able to apply for further assistance for a further five years. The agency felt that this was not the best solution for the client, and applied to the Foundations Independent Living Trust Hardship Fund for a quick solution to the urgent problem.
Mrs F is 65 years old and lives alone. Following a generator failure, she had no electrical supply, which meant that she had no hot water or cooking facilities. Her only source of heat was a log-burning stove in the living room.
The agency was able to find funding for replacing the generator that was beyond repair, ensuring that Mrs F had her electricity supply restored.
At the same time, the agency found that the property also needed other repairs and the agency was also able to find funding for these.
