Accessing the CHIA service

Any Cumberland resident may ask for initial advice from CHIA. Initial advice is free and can help you to work out what services you need and are eligible for. Advice m ay include signposting to other agencies when CHIA cannot provide a service for any reason.

Where a service is available through CHIA, and the applicant is eligible to receive that service, a caseworker will support applicants through the process of adapting their homes.

For households who need professional help in designing and delivering works to their home (disabled adaptations or repairs and improvements), there is a charge which is set out within the Legislation. This allows the cost of certain services and charges to be included with the grant application, such as costs associated with preparing the application and the carrying out of works. If you are eligible for grant funding, this will cover the costs of the CHIA service, and it is not a separate or additional charge.

If you are awarded any discretionary funding under this policy, we will require you to use CHIA to make sure your works are delivered appropriately.

If you are only awarded mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants funding, you do not have to use CHIA, but we would recommend using the service to make sure your adaptations are delivered well.

If you decide to organise your own works, the Council will assess your needs; advice you on which works are eligible for funding determine your DFG applications. There is no charge for this service.

If a grant is awarded, we will check builders’ estimates before awarding grant, and check final invoices or receipts, and installers’ certificates, before making any payment to you or to your contractor. We do not pay for works in advance.