The Independent Living Fund (ILF) is now essentially closed to new applicants because of budget constraints imposed by government.

The ILF is funded by central government and “was set up as a national resource dedicated to the financial support of disabled people to enable them to choose to live in the community rather than in residential care” (ILF website). Money is provided to people with high support needs, and is essential in helping them maintain independence.

Due to tightening budgets the ILF originally decided that it would only support ILF applications from disabled people working over 16 hours a week. However, it has now been announced that this will be extended to all new applicants.

As such, no new applications will be accepted for the rest of this financial year (until April 2011 at the earliest). Though the ILF will continue supporting people who currently receive Independent Living Funds, the ILF will not make any payments to new applicants (except to those that it has already agreed to pay).

For more information about, including contact details for the ILF see the Independent Living Fund website: http://www.ilf.org.uk/

For more general information see the Disability Alliance website: http://www.disabilityalliance.org/ilf3.htm