The Independent Living 1993 Fund

Introduction

The Independent Living 1993 Fund (ILF) is a discretrionary trust set up and financed by the Government. The fund aims to support disabled people in having more choice and control over their lives by helping them to live at home rather than in residential accommodation.

How does ILF work?

The Independent Living Fund works closely with Health and Social Services Trusts, helping to pay towards community care packages costing more than £320 per week. If the application is successful, the fund makes regular payments, usually directly to the disabled person.

Who can apply?

To qualify for ILF you must meet all the following criteria;

• Be receiving personal social services or Direct Payments from your local Health and Social Services Trust costing at least £320 per week (net of client charge and net of VAT).
  
• Be aged at least 16 and under 66 years old at application.
  
• In receipt of the highest rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or equivalent.
  
• Expect to be able to live in the community for the next six months.
  
• Have capital of less than £22,500 (excluding the property you live in). If you have a partner, this amount includes any capital he/she may have.

The Independent Living Fund can pay up to a maximum of £455 per week on top of the contribution from the Health and Social Services Trust providing that the combined inputs do not exceed £785 per week.

What contribution must I make?

In all cases you will be expected to contribute half of the care component of your DLA and all of your Severe Disability Premium, if paid to you with your Income Support, towards your care costs. If you are not on Income Support, the ILF will carry out an assessment to ascertain your available income.

How can I apply?

Application forms are available from your local Health and Social Services Trust or directly from the Independent Living Fund. If you feel that you are eligible for ILF, you should ask your Social Worker or Care Manager about applying.

Section 1 of the form is for you or your chosen representative to complete. Section 2 should be completed by your Social Worker. It is important that both sections of the form are completed before it is returned to the Independent Living Fund.

Before you apply, it is advisable to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for ILF. You should discuss with your Social Worker or Care Manager, the extra personal support you need.

What happens after I apply?

If the Independent Living Fund is satisfied that all the eligibility criteria have been met, it will arrange for one of its Social Workers to visit you, with your own Social Worker.

When you have arranged your personal support, you will need to give the Independent Living Fund details of your employee or agency before payments can commence.

For more information you should contact the ILF at:

The Independent Living Fund
PO Box 7525
Nottingham
NG2 4ZT

Telephone 0845 601 8815. It may be useful to visit the ILF website.

How is the offer of funding calculated?

The ILF examines the number of hours required to support you and whether these are for day or night. The ILF needs to know the hourly rate you pay your Personal Assistant(s) including employment related costs or details of your care agency including VAT and travel costs.

Since April 2002 the ILF has disregarded all of your earnings and that of any partner you have in its assessment. This includes earnings from self-employment.

You will be expected to contribute the following towards the total cost of your support;

• Half of the care component of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.

• Any Severe Disability Premium you receive.

• Any Special Transitional Allowance you receive.

• Any other available income calculated by the ILF.

How can I use the ILF Award?

An award from the Independent Living Fund must be used, in full, to pay the wages or the agency invoice for somebody to provide you with personal and domestic support. Funding cannot be used for any other purpose such as equipment, adaptations, general household expenses or transport costs.

You can choose whom you want to employ with the exception of a relative who lives with you. You will need to let ILF have each of your Personal Assistants' names, addresses, National Insurance numbers and the amount they are paid per week. If you choose to use an agency you will need to give the agency's name, address and the amount it is paid each week.