Disabled Facilities Grants
We may be able to help towards the cost of adapting your home to make it easier for you to live independently.
- What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
- How do I get a grant?
- What can I do if I have a contribution to pay?
- Where can I find out more?
What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is to help towards the cost of adapting your home. This could include:
- making it easier to get in and out of your home e.g. a wheelchair ramp
- making it easier to get around your home by widening doors, or installing a stair lift
- making it easier to use the bath or shower
- lowering work tops to make it easier to prepare and cook food if you use a wheelchair
- adapting heating systems to make them easier to use.
How do I get a grant?
Contact us as shown on the right hand side of this page.
Someone from the Occupational Therapy Service will carry out an assessment and agree with you what adaptations you need to continue living at home. If appropriate, a grant will be recommended to your district or borough council. The district or borough council will only give a grant where the work is reasonable, necessary and appropriate to your needs.
They will then plan and agree a suitable scheme with the district council and yourself.
The grant is paid by your district or borough council.
If you live in council owned accommodation, you may still be able to get adaptations to your home, but they may be funded differently.
If you apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant, you will be subject to a test of financial resources. This test assesses how much, if anything, you may have to contribute towards the cost of the works.
People on low incomes may get a grant to cover the full cost of the work.
What can I do if I have a contribution to pay?
If you are able to pay your contribution you will be asked to pay this directly to the contractor when the work is completed.
If you are unable to pay your contribution you may need to apply for a loan from your Bank or Building Society. If you feel you are unable to repay a loan, the Adult Social Care and Health Department may be able to help. Your Occupational Therapist will help you to apply to the Contributions Panel.
Where can I find out more?
A leaflet is available that describes the Grant in more detail. For a copy contact our Customer Service Centre or see the list of publications produced by the County Council.
Contact your local district or borough council and ask for the section that deals with Disabled Facilities Grants.
