LGSCO reports council delay meant woman unable to access upstairs

Article summary

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported that a disabled woman from Slough was unable to access the upstairs part of her house after the council delayed in deciding whether she was eligible for a stairlift. According to the LGSCO, the woman applied for a disabled facilities grant (DFG) in May 2021 to allow her to install a chairlift, but it took the council almost a year to approve the grant rather than the six months stated in the statutory guidance. The LGSCO’s investigation found that the council used a points-based system for applications which is against statutory guidance. The council has been asked to apologise and pay the woman £250 for her trouble and a further £3,300 to recognise the distress caused.