Disabled Facilities Grant – Help to adapt your home

Criteria

You can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you are:

• An owner, tenant, or landlord applying on behalf of a tenant.
• A disabled person intending to live in the property for at least:
  • 10 years (or a shorter period based on health circumstances) if owner occupier application.
  • 5 years (or a shorter period based on health circumstance) if tenant application.

The disability must be long-term and can be due to:

• Physical illness or injury.
• Major sight, hearing, speech, or mental health problems.
• Learning disabilities.

To qualify, an assessment must be completed by a suitably trained professional, such as a Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA). They will work with you to identify the most suitable solutions for your needs.

Examples of adaptations

Here are some examples of adaptations that might be funded.

Access Improvements

• Widening doorways
• Installing ramps or grab rails
• Improving garden access

Bathroom Modifications

• Installing level-access (walk-in) showers or wet rooms

Control Adjustments

• Changing heating or lighting controls for easier use

Heating Systems

• Installing a suitable heating system tailored to your needs

Home Extensions

• Building a downstairs bedroom or bathroom

Stairlifts

• Adding stairlifts
• Through floor lifts
• External platform lifts

Every adaptation is tailored to your specific needs to support your independence and comfort. We will carefully consider whether the proposed works are both necessary to meet your specific needs and appropriate for your home. This makes sure that the adaptations provide a practical, cost-effective solution to help you live more safely and independently. We will assess your circumstances, the condition and structure of your property, and the long-term benefits of the proposed changes before making a decision.

Maximum Grant Amount

In England, you could receive up to £30,000, including any ancillary costs like legal or agency fees.

Means Test

The grant amount depends on your household income and savings over £6,000. Only the income and savings of the disabled person and their spouse or partner are considered. Council house tenants, disabled children and young people under 19 are not means-tested.

You won’t have to contribute towards the cost if you receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:

• Income Support
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Universal Credit
• Council Tax Reduction (Disabled Band Reduction Scheme)
• Working or Child Tax Credits (and annual household income of less than £15,050 per year)

You can use this Foundations Means Test Calculator to estimate how much you might have to contribute.

Application process

1. Initial contact

• Explore information – Review the details on this page and use the self-assessment tool on AdaptMyHome.org.uk.
• Contact us – Phone us on 0300 123 2224. Our phone lines are open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired you can contact us using SMS text 07862 122246. If you work in health or social care and need to make a referral on behalf of someone, please use the Professional Referral to Adult Social Care Form.

2. Assessment and identification

• Professional assessment – A Occupational Therapist Assistant will evaluate your needs.
• Referral – If an adaptation is necessary and appropriate, you will be referred to the Housing Adaptations Team.

3. Application process

If the Home Adaptation team is appointed as Principal Designer:

• Officer assignment – You will be assigned a officer who will guide you through the process.
• Home visits – Technical officers may visit your home to assess feasibility, draw up plans and create a schedule of works.
• Planning approvals – If needed, they will help with planning permission or building regulations approval.

4. Grant approval and work commencement

• Approval – Once eligibility is confirmed, and funds are available, your application will be approved.
• Work begins – A principal contractor will be appointed, and a start date will be arranged.

5. Completion and sign-off

• Final inspection – After the work is completed, we will visit to ensure you are satisfied.
• Payment – If you have a contribution to make, the principal contractor will invoice you when the work begins.

What you will need

• Proof of income and savings – Pay slips, pension statements, benefit letters, bank statements covering the previous 3-month period.
• Property details – Ownership documents or tenancy agreement.
• Medical evidence – If applicable, any supporting medical documents.

How long does the process take?

The time it takes depends on the complexity and urgency of the adaptations. Urgent cases are prioritised. The process includes three stages – assessment, approval and construction. Each stage has its own timeline.

After you apply

Assessment process

• Acknowledgment – After your enquiry, you will receive a written response outlining the next steps and expected timelines.
• Single point of contact – You will be assigned a officer who will be your main contact throughout the process.
• Collaboration – Housing, health, and social care professionals will work together to make sure your needs are met.

Approval and work

• Decision timeline – You will be informed in writing about the decision on your grant application. Do not start work before you get the decision in writing or the application may be refused.
• Work commencement – Once approved, work must be completed within 12 months.
• Monitoring progress – You can track your application’s progress through regular updates.

Not eligible

If you are not eligible, you may need to fund the work yourself. Other discretionary grants or assistance may be available.

If your circumstances change, you can apply for another grant for the same property.