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A Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant from your local council to help towards the cost of providing adaptations and facilities in your home. These adaptations must be to make caring for your child easier or to increase your child’s level of independence at home. The grant is paid if your council considers that the proposed changes are necessary to meet your child’s needs, and that the work is both reasonable and practical depending on the age and condition of the property.
This can include major adaptations such as extensions and structural work to accommodate, for example, a ceiling track hoist, stairlift, widened doorways, an external ramp, or a downstairs bathroom. An occupational therapist will assess your circumstances and home environment before recommending any required adaptation(s). Any proposed work must have planning permission and fall within building regulations.
Who can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
You can apply if the answer to the following four statements is yes:
You or the child living in your property is disabled.
You, or the child on whose behalf you are applying, are the owner or tenant of the property. (Note: A landlord may apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.)
You are willing to certify that you, or the child on whose behalf you are applying, intend to occupy the property as your/their main or only residence throughout the 5-year grant period.
You, or the child on whose behalf you are applying, live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. (Note: Scottish residents should contact their local social services department for information on their Home Improvement Grants.)
How much money will be awarded?
The maximum grant that can be awarded in England is £30,000, less any assessed contribution. The grant will only be paid on work assessed as necessary, and when the council is satisfied that the work has been carried out.
Always check what help is available before starting work on your home to make it suitable for you or your child. Grants will usually not be provided retrospectively.
Who will be means tested?
DFGs are not means tested so long as the grant is provided to meet the needs of a disabled child (under 19 years of age). Families who need to adapt their home for a person over the age of 19 will have to go through a means test/financial assessment. When aged 19 or over, the person with the disability is tested. This test (based on a person’s ability to pay) is intended to target help towards the most needy, and it looks at income, savings, and expenditure. The grant awarded can then vary from 0 to 100% of the cost of the work assessed as necessary.
For a child with a DFG, the grant can be used for various adaptations, such as:
Widening doors and installing ramps to improve accessibility.
Installing stairlifts or level access showers to make bathing and moving around the house easier.
Improving access to rooms and facilities, like adding grab rails or adapting heating controls.
Building extensions, such as a downstairs bedroom, to accommodate the child’s needs.
Enhancing garden access, for example, by adding pathways or ramps.
These adaptations can significantly improve the child’s quality of life, providing them with greater independence and comfort in their home environment.
The process of applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) in England involves several steps to ensure that the necessary home adaptations are made to support a disabled individual. Here’s an overview of the process:
1. Initial Inquiry
Contact your local council to express your interest in applying for a DFG.
Provide basic information about the individual’s needs and the type of adaptations required.
2. Assessment
A representative from the council, usually an occupational therapist, will visit your home to assess the needs of the disabled person.
The assessment will determine what adaptations are necessary and how they will improve the individual’s ability to live independently.
3. Application
Complete the DFG application form provided by the council.
Include any required documentation, such as proof of income, savings, and home ownership or tenancy.
Submit the application to the local council.
4. Approval and Means Test
The council will conduct a means test to determine your financial eligibility for the grant.
If the applicant is a child, the means test is not required.
The council reviews the application and assessment to approve the adaptations.
If approved, the council provides details of the approved adaptations and grant amount.
5. Obtaining Quotes
Obtain quotes from at least two contractors for the proposed adaptations.
Submit the quotes to the council for approval.
6. Grant Offer and Acceptance
The council will issue a formal grant offer outlining the approved adaptations and the grant amount.
Review the grant offer, sign, and return it to the council to accept the grant.
7. Completion of Work
Once the grant is accepted, you can hire the approved contractor to carry out the work.
The council may conduct inspections during and after the work to ensure it meets the required standards.
8. Payment
The council will pay the grant amount directly to the contractor upon satisfactory completion of the work.
In some cases, the payment may be made in instalments as the work progresses.
9. Follow-Up
After the adaptations are completed, the council may conduct a follow-up visit to ensure that the adaptations meet the needs of the disabled individual.
The entire process can take several months, so it’s essential to plan ahead. The goal is to ensure that the adaptations provide a safer and more accessible living environment for the disabled individual.
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