This Factsheet is useful if: you have epilepsy yourself/someone in your family has epilepsy.AND you are applying for Local Authority or Housing Association accommodation.

how to apply for housing

Application Form

Obtain an application form from the Housing Department of your Local Authority. This form asks questions about your family circumstances and housing needs.

Medical Form

If your epilepsy is uncontrolled (i.e. you still experience seizures, however rarely) or you have another medial condition, then the Housing Officer who gives you the application form should also give you a medical questionnaire to complete. The Housing Officer can help you to complete it or you can ask family, friends, EPILEPSY WEST LOTHIAN, CAB or another appropriate agency to help (but not your GP). This form is considered by the Chief Medical Advisor along with information from the housing application form. The CMA then decides what medical points and housing type will be recommended for you.

Chief Medical Officer

It is important to tell the Chief Medical Officer all the reasons why you think the housing you are living in at the moment is unsuitable, e.g. are you at risk of having seizures on the stairs, or do you have young children and need to be on a lower floor?

type of housing

If your epilepsy is poorly controlled, then it may be advisable for you to apply for ground or first floor housing. Although under normal circumstances this may result in a lengthy wait, an application on the basis of safety would be considered sympathetically with a view to prioritising.

Do not feel under any pressure to accept an offer which still poses a risk to you or your family’s health and safety. If you are concerned about this, then contact Epilepsy West Lothian for support and advice.

Supported Accommodation Team

Social Work Department

Local Housing Offices

Armadale 01501 678321 Livingston North 01506 775899

Bathgate 01506 776064 Livingston South 01506 775763

Blackburn 01506 776301 Linlithgow 01506 775201

Broxburn 01506 775501 West Calder 01506 871763

Fauldhouse 01501 770433 Whitburn 01501 678084

alternative or supported housing

It may be that you do not think a Council tenancy offers enough for you to feel safe and supported. There is alternative accommodation available through Housing Associations and other voluntary organisations (e.g. Barony and Penumbra or Council Sheltered Housing). All these organisations have clear criteria which help them decide whether the housing will be suitable for you.

The publication ‘Housing in Lothian’ which is produced by Grapevine, forms a good starting point. A copy is available for reference from Enlighten, Gapevine, the Advice Shop and other voluntary organisations. Workers at the above organisations or a Community Care Social Worker can advise you about the most suitable housing.

useful contacts

West Lothian Council, West Lothian House, Almondvale Boulevard, Livingston, EH54 6QG. Tel: 01506 777 600.

The Advice Shop, Waverly Street, Bathgate. Tel: 01506 776 444.

Grapevine, 57 Albion Road, Norton Park, Edinburgh, EH7 5QY. Tel: 0131 475 2370.