This guide outlines the key information and processes involved with a disabled facilities grant. If you’re not sure what a disabled facilities grant is, how it might help you, or how to apply - read on to find out more.
Is your home accessible?
When you or someone in your home is living with a disability, or chronic, long-term condition, everyday life can be made that much harder by inaccessible surroundings. Your home should be your haven but houses often aren’t set up with accessibility in mind.
If you can’t access the essential facilities in your home – like your bathroom or bedroom – you may need to create new ways to access them.
This could be by installing a stairlift or through-floor lift that gives you better access to the upstairs again. Maybe the facilities in the bathroom or bedroom are difficult for you to use, and you could benefit from new installations like a level-access shower.
You may need wider doorways, ramps, or rails so you can access your house or garden. Perhaps your heating and lighting need to be improved, or even for electrical fixings moved to a more reachable level.
Changes like these can help to make everyday life more manageable but can also end up costing a lot of money. The disabled facilities grant could be your solution.
What is the disabled facilities grant?
The disabled facilities grant is funding you can apply for from your local authority. It can be put towards adaptations needed in your home and requires an assessment of your situation.
It’s worth noting that in cases where only minor adaptations (such as grab rails or outside lights) are recommended from your assessment, it might be possible for them to be installed under a minor grant, also via the council. If major adaptations are needed, this is where the disabled facilities grant comes in.
The grant won’t affect any benefits you already get, so you don’t have to worry about your existing benefits when applying.
This grant can help you in a range of situations, such as if you have:
- A physical disability
- A progressive condition (such as motor neurone disease)
- A terminal illness
- A mental health condition
- A cognitive impairment
- A learning disability, or autism
It is important to note that every local council is different, so be sure to check with yours for the specifics of the grant process. If you’re unsure which is your local authority, you can find your local council here.
Are you eligible?
As you may expect, there are criteria you’ll need to meet to be able to apply for a disabled facilities grant.
Eligible areas
You must reside in one of the following locations:
- England
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
This grant isn’t available if you live in Scotland, however you may wish to look at the alternative support for equipment and adaptations available there.
Your residence
You, or another person living in your house must meet the criteria and must intend to live in the property during the period of the grant. This is usually 5 years but can be shorter or longer in some cases – for example, if the person is terminally ill.
To submit the application itself, you must be one of the following:
- The owner
- The tenant
- The landlord
- Someone who lives in a caravan or houseboat
If you are not an owner or tenant, then you must get the owner or tenant to make the application on your behalf.
Appropriate works
And finally, your local council must agree that the proposed works are:
- Necessary and appropriate – to meet the person’s needs, as recommended by occupational therapist assessing the case
- Reasonable – ensuring the work carried out will be cost effective
- Feasible – ensuring any work needed is possible in that property, depending on its age, condition, and style
You must also be aware that if you start work on your property before the council approves the application, you may not receive any grant.
What could the grant amount be?
The grant amount will vary depending on a few factors. Your household income and the amount of savings you have will be taken into account, and you may need to pay some of the cost towards the adaptations.
In England, the amount awarded could be up to £30,000; in Wales, up to £36,000; and in Northern Ireland, up to £25,000.
If the application is for a child, the parents’ income doesn’t need to be considered as a factor. Landlords can also receive the grant without income or savings being considered.
Note for landlords: the council may request that the property is let to another disabled person if the current resident needing the adaptations moves within 5 years.
What is the process?
Application
If you think this could be the option for you, you can apply for a disabled facilities grant through your local council. Please note, the process for doing this may differ slightly between local authorities.
Assessment
The property will be assessed by an occupational therapist or other trained assessor sent by the council. They’ll check what adaptations are needed for your individual situation, making sure they’re appropriate and feasible, before putting in their recommendation to the grants or housing departments.
The occupational therapist works with the help of a housing officer or architect, and plans are agreed by the local authority, the occupational therapist, and you.
Works carried out
Once agreed, usually a home improvements officer is assigned to your case. They will oversee the works and liaise directly with the contractors - including getting any planning permission required. This means you have less to worry about, and it’s all handled for you.
You might be asked by the council to employ a qualified surveyor or architect to plan and supervise the work. Their fees are taken from the grant amount.
Receiving the grant
The grant itself is usually paid directly to the contractors carrying out the works, and is provided in instalments as the works progress, or in full when it’s complete.
If you need help in making your application, speak to Foundations. They're a government-funded organisation that can help you with the disabled facilities grant.
Further help
If you need more help on how to make your home more accessible in the meantime, you can check out our home adaptation guides for each room of your home:
Each guide also includes a printable version of the full guide you can download.
For more immediate support, why not take advantage of our Home Consultation Service? An occupational therapist will take a look at you and your home life and provide recommendations for changes and potential equipment that could support you in your day-to-day.
