DISABLED people who need modifications to their homes are missing out on the work because of lack of cash.

The grants, which can be worth more than £1,000, are spent on modifications to homes, including widening doors, installing ramps, stair lifts, downstairs bathrooms, or new heating and lighting systems with easier to reach controls.

But in Castle Point, there are 34 homes where there have been delays. Eddie Stacey, 82, of Cedar Road, Canvey, who runs the Phoenix Club disabilities support group from the Paddocks Community Centre, Canvey, urged the council to do everything possible to help disabled residents of the 34 outstanding homes.

He said: “It worries me if the council is delaying with these sorts of grants.

“I could do with one myself because I am disabled and struggle to get in and out of the bath.

“My stepson, who lives with us, also has a serious back injury from falling off a ladder and he is almost bed-ridden.”

The grants are available to tenants from privately rented, housing association, or council homes and also to people who own their properties.

A report looking into the delays has been prepared for Essex County Council’s Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

No other council in Essex has any outstanding cases, according to the report, it said.

Trudie Bragg, head of environmental services for Castle Point Council, insisted the local authority was doing everything possible to process the outstanding cases.

She said: “We have assisted 68 applicants with disabled facilities grants already this year – a total of £382,500 for this year is already committed.

“The grant funding is made up of £260,500 from the Government. Castle Point Council has provided a top up to the grant of £122,000.

“Council officers are meeting this week to see if there is any way we can find more funding to progress the 34 grant application cases referred from the Occupation Therapy Service.”