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. CHIA have caseworkers to 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 for CHIA. If you are eligible for grant funding, this will cover the costs of the CHIA service.
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 organise your own works, the Council will assess your needs; advice you on which works are eligible for funding; determine your DFG applications. 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.