Control-NI Funding Guide
Funding & Grants for Assistive Technology
There are more ways to fund assistive technology than most people realise. We help clients, families, and occupational therapists identify the right funding route for every situation.
For Occupational Therapists
Funding Pathways — Quick Reference Guide
As an occupational therapist, you can refer clients to Control-NI regardless of their funding situation. The table below identifies the right funding route for every client type you are likely to encounter.
| Client Situation | Funding Route | Who Acts |
|---|---|---|
HSC Trust patient on your caseload | Trust equipment and adaptations budget | OT recommends, Trust funds |
Owner-occupier with a disability | Disabled Facilities Grant — NIHE | OT recommends, client applies to NIHE |
NIHE tenant | NIHE Adaptations Programme | OT recommends, NIHE delivers |
Housing Association tenant | Housing Association adaptations budget | OT recommends, Housing Association delivers |
Client who already owns an iPhone or iPad | Installation and configuration only — no device cost | Client self-funds installation from £600 |
Client receiving Personal Independence Payment | Self-fund from PIP daily living component | Client chooses to fund privately |
Client with MS, Parkinson's, MND or other neurological condition | Charitable grants — MS Society NI, Parkinson's UK NI, MND Association | Control-NI can signpost to relevant grant funds |
Any client purchasing privately | VAT exemption on qualifying AT equipment | Client self-declares disability — 20% saving at point of purchase |
The iPhone and iPad Point
Many of our clients already own a smartphone. In these cases the device cost is zero — Control-NI charges for installation, configuration, and training only. A voice controlled television, lighting, heating, and door intercom system can be delivered for as little as £600-900 in installation costs using the client's existing device. This makes funding significantly more straightforward for clients who may not qualify for other routes.
For Clients and Families
How to Fund Your Assistive Technology
The cost of assistive technology and home adaptation should not be a barrier to independence. Here is every funding route available to people in Northern Ireland.
The Disabled Facilities Grant is available to owner-occupiers, private tenants, and landlords where a person with a disability lives in the property. It covers major adaptations including environmental control systems, door automation, and smart home technology recommended by an occupational therapist.
The grant is means-tested based on household income. Your occupational therapist makes the recommendation to NIHE who then assess and fund the works.
To find out if you qualify contact your local HSC Trust occupational therapy team or call Control-NI for guidance.
If you are a Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenant, adaptations recommended by an occupational therapist are funded and delivered by NIHE directly. This includes door automation, environmental controls, and sensory alerting systems.
Ask your GP, district nurse, or social worker to refer you to your local community occupational therapy team — or contact Control-NI and we will help you navigate the referral process.
If you are already on an occupational therapy caseload within one of the five HSC Trusts — Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern, or Western — your OT can recommend and fund assistive technology directly from the Trust equipment budget.
Control-NI works with all five Trusts across Northern Ireland.
If you receive Personal Independence Payment you can choose to use your daily living component to fund assistive technology privately. Control-NI provides full installation and setup with no requirement for a Trust referral for privately funded clients.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition you may be eligible to purchase assistive technology and related installation services without paying VAT. This is a 20% saving applied at the point of purchase by self-declaration — no formal application is required.
Control-NI applies VAT exemption where eligible. Ask us about this when requesting a quotation.
A number of charities provide small grants to help people with specific conditions fund assistive technology. These include:
- MS Society NI — equipment and adaptation grants for people living with multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's UK NI — support for people with Parkinson's disease
- MND Association — urgent support for people with motor neurone disease
- Action on Hearing Loss — grants for deaf and hard of hearing people
- Age NI — information and signposting for older people
Control-NI can help identify which charitable funds may be relevant to your situation. Contact us for guidance.
Self-Funding — Using Your Own Device
If you already own an iPhone, iPad, or Amazon Alexa device — you may need very little additional equipment at all. Control-NI can configure your existing devices to control your television, lighting, heating, blinds, curtains, and door access. Installation and configuration costs start from £600 depending on the scope of work required. No Trust referral is needed for privately funded installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an OT referral to use Control-NI?
Not always. If you are funding your installation privately — using PIP, savings, or self-funding — you can contact Control-NI directly without a referral. We will carry out a free home assessment and provide a detailed quotation.
How long does funding take to come through?
This varies by route. Trust equipment budgets can move quickly — sometimes within weeks of an OT recommendation. DFG applications through NIHE take longer — typically several months. Private installations can be arranged within days.
Is there a cost for the initial assessment?
No. Control-NI provides free home assessments and quotations across all of Northern Ireland.
What areas do you cover?
We cover all of Northern Ireland — Belfast, Antrim, Londonderry, Armagh, Down, Tyrone, and Fermanagh. Travel to all locations is included in our installation prices.
Can I get help identifying which funding route applies to my situation?
Yes. Contact George or Philip directly and we will talk through your situation and identify the most appropriate funding route before any commitment is made.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Call us on 028 9043 1830 or email info@control-ni.com and we will talk through your situation, identify the right funding route, and arrange a free home assessment at a time that suits you.
There is almost always a way to fund the technology that could change your independence at home. Let us help you find it.
Control-NI — Assistive Technology Designed Around You