What Is the Disabled Facilities Grant?
The Disabled Facilities Grant is a local council grant that helps disabled people make essential changes to their home so they can continue to live there safely and independently. It is funded by central government and administered by local housing authorities across the UK.
The DFG is a mandatory grant, meaning councils are legally required to provide it if you meet the eligibility criteria. It is not discretionary, so you have a right to the funding if you qualify.
Maximum Grant Amounts
The maximum amount available depends on where you live:
- England: up to £30,000
- Wales: up to £36,000
- Northern Ireland: up to £25,000
- Scotland: funding is provided through a Scheme of Assistance, with amounts varying by council area
These are maximum amounts. The actual grant you receive will be based on the cost of the recommended adaptations and, for adults, a means test.
Who Can Apply?
The DFG is available to:
- Homeowners (including leaseholders)
- Private tenants (with landlord consent)
- Housing association tenants
- Council tenants (although councils often fund adaptations for their own tenants through separate budgets)
- Landlords on behalf of a disabled tenant
- Parents or guardians of a disabled child
The disabled person must intend to live in the property as their main home for a grant condition period (usually 5 years for grants over £5,000).
The Means Test
For adult applicants, the DFG is means-tested. The council will assess your income and savings to calculate whether you need to contribute towards the cost of the work.
Key points about the means test:
- It is based on the disabled person’s income and savings (and their partner’s, if applicable)
- Certain benefits are disregarded, including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Attendance Allowance
- If you are on a low income or receive means-tested benefits, you are likely to qualify for the full grant
- If you have higher income, you may be asked to contribute a calculated amount
Important exception: if the DFG is for a disabled child or young person under 19, there is no means test. The full cost of the recommended work is covered by the grant.
What Can the DFG Cover?
The grant can fund a wide range of home adaptations. Common examples include:
Access Improvements
- Stairlifts (straight and curved)
- Through-floor lifts
- Ramps to the entrance
- Door widening for wheelchair access
- Hard standing for wheelchair access to the entrance
- Automatic door openers
Bathroom Adaptations
- Walk-in showers and wet rooms
- Level-access shower areas
- Grab rails and support handles
- Raised toilet seats and toilet frames
- Wash-dry toilets
- Thermostatic taps and shower controls
Kitchen Modifications
- Lowered worktops and sinks
- Accessible storage and cupboards
- Adapted taps and controls
Bedroom and Living Areas
- Downstairs bedroom conversions
- Extensions to create accessible living space
- Improved heating systems
- Adapted electrical switches and controls
Safety Features
- Improved lighting
- Non-slip flooring
- Guard rails and safety gates
- Specialist alarm and monitoring systems
The Application Process
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant:
Step 1: Initial Contact
Contact your local council’s housing or environmental health department. Explain that you have a disability and need to adapt your home. You can also ask your GP, occupational therapist, or social worker to make a referral on your behalf.
Step 2: Occupational Therapy Assessment
The council will arrange for an occupational therapist (OT) to visit you at home. The OT will:
- Assess how your disability affects your daily life at home
- Identify the specific adaptations you need
- Write a recommendation report for the council
This is a important step. Be open and honest about all your difficulties, including those you find embarrassing. Show the OT how you currently manage daily tasks and explain what you struggle with.
Step 3: Formal Application
Once the OT has made their recommendations, you submit a formal DFG application to the council. Many councils have a Home Improvement Agency that can help you with this process at no cost.
Step 4: Means Test
The council will carry out a financial assessment (unless the grant is for a child). You will need to provide details of your income, savings, and outgoings.
Step 5: Approval and Quotes
If approved, the council will arrange for the work to be quoted. This may involve:
- The council’s own approved contractors providing quotes
- You obtaining quotes from contractors approved by the council
- A technical officer or surveyor specifying the work in detail
Step 6: Grant Offer
The council will issue a formal grant offer, detailing the work to be done, the total cost, and any contribution you need to make.
Step 7: Work Carried Out
Once you accept the offer, the work can proceed. The council or Home Improvement Agency will usually oversee the work to ensure it is completed to the required standard.
Step 8: Payment and Completion
The council pays the contractor directly once the work is completed and inspected. If you have made a contribution, this may need to be paid before or during the work.
Timescales
The DFG process can take time. Here are typical timescales, although these vary significantly by council:
- OT assessment waiting time: 2 weeks to 6 months (some areas have long waiting lists)
- Application to decision: councils aim for a decision within 6 months of receiving a complete application
- Decision to completion: depends on the complexity of the work, typically 1 to 6 months
Total time from first contact to completion: typically 3 to 12 months, sometimes longer for complex adaptations.
If your need is urgent, make this clear when you contact the council. Some councils operate a fast-track process for critical adaptations.
What If Your Application Is Refused?
If your DFG application is refused, you have options:
- Ask for a clear explanation of why it was refused
- Request a review of the decision, particularly if circumstances have changed or you believe the assessment was not thorough
- Complain through the council’s complaints process
- Contact the Local Government Ombudsman if you believe the council has not followed proper procedures
- Seek advice from Citizens Advice, Age UK, or a disability rights organisation
Top Tips for a Successful Application
- Act early. The process takes time, so start your application as soon as you identify a need.
- Keep records. Document all communications with the council, including dates, names, and what was discussed.
- Be thorough at your OT assessment. Describe all your difficulties honestly. Show the OT how you currently struggle, rather than just telling them.
- Ask about fast-tracking if your need is urgent (for example, if you have been discharged from hospital and cannot use your bathroom).
- Use a Home Improvement Agency if one is available in your area. They can manage the process and advocate on your behalf.
- Consider additional funding sources if the grant does not cover the full cost. VAT exemption can reduce costs, and charitable grants may help with any shortfall.
- Check if your council offers discretionary top-up funding above the mandatory DFG limits.
DFG and Other Funding
You can combine the DFG with other funding sources to cover the full cost of adaptations:
- VAT exemption: saves 20% on qualifying equipment and installation
- Attendance Allowance: weekly payments that can help cover ongoing costs
- Charitable grants: many charities fund home adaptations
- Bathroom adaptation grants: additional funding for bathroom-specific work
- Wheelchair grants: separate funding for wheelchair provision