Applying for adaptations to your SFA

April 7, 2025

AFF often receives enquiries about additional needs and disability adaptations to Service Family Accommodation (SFA). Health and additional needs specialist Karen Ross looks at the process…

There are slight differences in the Additional Needs & Disability Adaptations (ANDA) process depending on whether you need the work to be done to your current SFA, your new home on assignment, or if you’re moving to a more suitable home in your current location.

If you need new adaptations or further adaptations to your current SFA you should visit the Additional Needs/Disability Adaptations page at pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk. You will then be asked to complete the form, which can be accessed through the link at the bottom of the page.

If you need adaptations to your new SFA on assignment, or you have to move to a more suitable SFA in your current location, you should submit an e1132 and tick the additional needs box. In the larger information box write that you’ve sent supporting medical information or an occupational therapy report to the Pinnacle ANDA manager.

The current policy is that adaptations won’t be agreed for those on a surplus licence or for those retaining their SFA. If this regulation has affected you or your family, we would like to hear from you – healthsupport@aff.org.uk.

MEDICAL REPORTS

You’re encouraged to ask your occupational therapist (OT) or medical professional to complete the DIO assessment form for all ANDA requests, but you can use your OT’s report or other medical professionals’ if required. For major adaptations to SFA, an occupational therapy report will always be requested.

Once you have the required supporting medical reports, send them to HomeServicesConfidential@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk. Mark your email FAO ANDA manager and include your e1132 reference number.

Pinnacle will send the supporting evidence to the DIO ANDA team which will either agree the work or ask for further clarification of requirements. Once the work has been agreed, Pinnacle regional managers will be responsible for all case updates and communication.

More information on this process can be found in JSP 464, Vol 1, Part 2, Chapter 6, Annex C.

MOVING BACK TO THE UK

If you’re moving back to the UK from overseas and need adapted SFA it’s important to tell the Pinnacle National Service Centre so the most suitable housing can be identified, and any adaptations meet your requirements. Call +44 (0) 161 605 3529 option 2 or email hello@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk as soon as you can.

A report from an occupational therapist or medical professional will always be required when you submit your e1132 (or paper 1132) to Pinnacle’s ANDA manager.

You may be entitled to a publicly-funded return journey to visit the SFA and meet the OT. More information is available in JSP 752, Chapter 6.

Don’t book your removals or a move-out date unless you have a confirmed date for move-in from the ANDA manager or Pinnacle regional managers. This process can take some time, or unforeseen problems may crop up. If you require a move before the date of the confirmed move-in, this should be addressed with your unit welfare officer and/or chain of command.