Scottish government commits to more compassionate social security system

[squidge]

Sigh

Ok let's just rewind a little shall we. What BT has omitted to mention, Is that this is a pilot scheme designed to look at how households who do not meet the criteria for statutory council grants and the like can access support for adaptations. This is not replacing a statutory requirement as BT suggested but extending help to those who may be out with the statutory group but still require help. Those who are assessed as having a "priority need" will continue to receive grants and funding as necessary.

Help to Adapt is just one of several options which may be available to people and it is not designed to replace statutory schemes.

The management fee is included to cover the following -

A dedicated occupational therapist will work with you and your family members to advise on your particular options and recommend suitable adaptations.We work with you to specify what you want the alterations to look like, including the fittings and finishes.

Our team will organise all the home alteration work – saving you time and reducing potential anxiety, while ensuring quality standards by using our approved contractors to carry out the works.We will also continue to provide a service for up to a year after the alterations are made, to help you with any warranty or maintenance questions about the works or to advise on best use of the adaptation. Not exactly money for nothing.

BT is right - if the value of your property increases then you pay more back out of the equity on your house when it is sold. He forgot to mention that if the value of your property falls, the amount that is repaid also falls. He also fails to point out that there is no interest paid on the loan. It doesn't increase if it is in place for ten years as opposed to five for example. There are no monthly payments and there is a cap on the amount paid back.

This isn't some two bit outfit either - some dodgy middle man. Link is a housing association, a registered social landlord so there will be no dividends going in shareholders pockets. This is in addition to what exists already, not in place of. It is a pilot part of the work the Scottish Government is doing to widen the net of support.

There is of course a website you can look at, not sure whether BT included the link rather than screen shots www.linkhousing.org.uk