Disabled people across Bolton could be missing out on crucial grants that could make their lives much easier.

The grants, known as Disability Facilities grants, are paid by local council around the country to help install things such as wheel chair ramps and widened doors to help make people’s homes more disabled friendly.

But in Bolton, elected representatives say that disabled people have endured long waits or in some cases are not even aware that support is out there.

Cllr Debbie Newall, of One Kearsley, said: “Many residents may not even be aware that there are grants available for adaptations and the means-testing criteria is far from clear.

“I have come across residents in Kearsley who are very unhappy about the service that they have received.

“The resident who came forward most recently has been waiting for more than two years and the work has not even commenced.

“The same resident is unnecessarily housebound because the adaptations to the threshold have not been made which would ensure that he could get out of his home in his wheelchair.”

She added: “Previously, we have heard from residents who feel that the level of workmanship is not up to standard and adaptations have taken place over months, including having to come back to do remedial work.”

The grants are available to home owners, private tenants and social landlords alike who need support in making their homes more liveable for people with disabilities and to help them retain their independence.

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But as well about issues with long waits, Cllr Newall says that people have also been concerns about who is eligible.

The scheme is means tested but she says that the council’s rules are not clear on what the rules are.

In response, Cllr Newall is planning to put a series of questions to Bolton Council, including how much of the scheme is funded by central government, whether budget cuts could result in people missing out and how much money has been paid out under the scheme over the past three months.

The questions will be put at a meeting of Bolton Council on September 7.