This factsheet is a basic introduction to the independent living fund (ILF). You can find out more about the ILF in Disability Alliance's Disability Rights Handbook, available to buy at www.disabilityalliance.org/drh35.htm.
All our publications are available at www.disabilityalliance.org/shop.htm. All our factsheets are available at www.disabilityalliance.org/fact.htm. You can also place an order by contacting Disability Alliance on 020 7247 8776 (this is not an advice line) or by fax on 020 7247 8765.
The independent living fund (ILF) provides financial help with your care package to help you remain in the community rather than enter residential care. The fund is available throughout the UK.
The ILF is not currently accepting new applications.
To get help all of the following must apply. You must:
You are given priority if you are working at least 16 hours a week, whether employed or self-employed.
You can receive up to £455 a week from the fund. Payments are made 4-weekly in arrears and are normally paid into your bank account.
You will be expected to contribute at least half of the care component of your DLA towards the cost of your care.
Money from the ILF is wholly ignored when means-tested benefits are being calculated and when your local authority assesses your charges for home care services.
How much else you have to pay will depend on your financial assessment, which is made based on income support rules. For more information on this see the ILF website or our Disability Rights Handbook.
The independent living fund (ILF) will not be accepting any new applications for the remainder of the year (2010), and is unable to make any further awards, except those they have already agreed to fund.
You can find out more information on the ILF website at www.ilf.org.uk.
www.disabilityalliance.org - 21 June 2010
