FOI Request - Adaptations and Accessible Housing
Request 101002611543
Adaptations Questions
1.Can you confirm whether a DS1500* form, signed by a medical professional, is accepted as part of an application for housing adaptations?
If yes:
(a) Does it prioritise (fast-track) the application?
If yes, how?
(b) Does it increase the number of medical points awarded?
(c) If counted as medical points, can you confirm how many it is worth and how does this compare with time on the waiting list?
(d) Can you provide a copy of the guidance which provides details of the procedure for using a DS1500?
*A DS1500 is a form which is signed by a medical professional to provide a summary of your illness and treatments. Individuals who have received a terminal diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease are often provided with a copy of a DS1500 form. This will help to ensure their social security benefits, and other support, is fast-tracked under the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Special Rules for Terminal Illness.
Accessible Housing Questions
1.Can you confirm whether a DS1500 form, signed by a medical professional, is accepted as part of an application for housing?
If yes:
(a) Does it prioritise (fast-track) the application?
If yes, how?
(b) Does it increase the number of medical points awarded?
(c) If counted as medical points, can you confirm how many it is worth and how does this compare with time on the waiting list?
(d) Can you provide a copy of the guidance which provides details of the procedure for using a DS1500?
Response 04-11-2020
Adaptations Questions
1. As the request would be for major/minor adaptations to existing accommodation the DS1500 form would be accepted and would inform of a level of urgency and then be in context of a referral into the Moray Council Community Occupational Therapy team.
(a) Yes. It could prioritise the request for assessment (the referral) as all referrals, where there is an identified short life expectancy, are treated as critical (rather than moderate or substantial).
(b) Medical points are not awarded in cases of requests for adaptions.
(c) As above.
(d) In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that there is no specific guidance on how a DS1500 should be used within a housing adaptation context.
Accessible Housing Questions
1. The DS1500 at the time would inform the assessor (Housing OT) of the level of urgency (along with a completed functional assessment form) and would be within that context.
(a) It would fast track the housing application process via the Housing OT. ( Applications that are received with the Functional Assessment forms are screened by a member of our Admin team and the Housing OT is informed if the application should be considered for fast tracking assessment.)
(b) It would likely result in a higher award/category being reached following the housing OT's assessment although this isn’t an automatic process and all supporting documents would be assessed in order to have an accurate understanding of the level of difficulty in place for the client/applicant.
(c) As above. It cannot be indicated how this would impact upon the waiting times for one particular case as there are a lot of variables such as areas, type and size of accommodation being required and available etc.
(d) In accordance with section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 we can confirm that there is no specific guidance on how a DS1500 should be used within a housing application context.