In this section you will find answers to:

  • What is the Independent Living Fund?
  • What are the criteria for claiming from the Independent living Fund?
  • How can you claim from the Independent Living Fund?

What is the Independent Living Fund?

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) is government-provided money which helps severely disabled people live independently rather than in a residential care home.

The money is used to employ someone to support and care for a disabled person in their own home.

However, the ILF is now permanently closed to new applications.

What are the criteria for claiming from the Independent living Fund?

To continue to claim from the ILF you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must receive at least £340 worth of services a week, or £17,680 per year, or direct payments from social services
  • You must live in the UK for 6 months per year
  • You must receive or be entitled to the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • You must realistically expect to live in the community for the next six months
  • You have savings of less than £23,500 in savings or capital - including any money any partner may have

You do not need to be claiming benefits to be eligible for the ILF BUT any income will be taken into account when you claim.

How can you claim from the Independent Living Fund?

To claim from the ILF, you should first speak to your local council or your social worker to ensure you meet your criteria. You can get more details from www.ilf.org.uk .