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Making Home Life Easier: A Guide to Disabled Facilities Grants in the UK
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
December 23, 2024
Hi, I’m Georgina, founder of Purpl Disabled Discounts. I understand the financial challenges that come with living with a disability and I am on a mission to let everyone know all about not only disability benefits, but the extra support that is available to help you save money. All alongside some amazing discounts and deals that we create here at Purpl with all your favourite brands.
For many disabled people, having a home that suits their needs isn’t just about comfort, it’s about independence and quality of life. That’s where the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) comes in. If you or someone in your household is disabled, this government-funded grant can help you adapt your home to make it more accessible and easier to live in. Here’s everything you need to know about who qualifies, what’s covered, and how to apply.
In This Article
- What Is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
- Who Is Eligible?
- What Conditions are Eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
- What can the Disabled Facilities Grant be for?
- How Much Disabled Facilities Grant Can You Get?
- How to Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant
- What if You are Renting?
- Where Can I Find More Information?
- What if I’m not Eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
- Why this Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
A Disabled Facilities Grant is financial help provided by local councils to assist with the cost of making home adaptations for disabled people. These adaptations aim to improve mobility, safety, and overall living conditions, ensuring that your home works for you, not against you. You could get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your council if you or someone you live with needs to make changes to your home, to live safely and independently. The grants are available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (with slightly different rules in Scotland, where the scheme is called the Housing Adaptations Grant).
Who Is Eligible?
You can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if:
- You or someone living in your home is disabled and this disability that affects your ability to live comfortably in your current home. This includes:
- physical, sensory, or mental health disabilities that affect day-to-day living
- physical, sensory, or mental health disabilities that affect day-to-day living
- You are the homeowner, a private tenant, or a council tenant, a landlord applying on behalf of a tenant, a housing association tenant or someone who lives in a houseboat or caravan.
- The property is your main home, please note that second homes or holiday homes don’t qualify.
- You pass a financial means test (though children and some benefits are exempt).
Importantly, the grant is means-tested for adults, so your income and savings will be considered when deciding how much financial help you can receive. However, if the adaptations are for a child under 18, the grant isn’t means-tested. It’s always worth checking with your local council or housing authority, as eligibility can vary depending on where you live.
You or the person you are applying for that needs changes made to your property must intend to live in the property during the grant period. This is usually 5 years but can be shorter depending on your health and circumstances.
What Conditions are Eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
To receive the Disabled Facilities Grant, you or someone you live with might:
- be autistic
- have a mental health condition
- be physically disabled
- have a learning disability
- have cognitive impairments e.g. dementia
- have a progressive condition e.g. motor neurone disease
- have age related disabilities
- live with a terminal illness
What can the Disabled Facilities Grant be for?
The grant covers a wide range of home improvements that make life safer and more accessible and help disabled people be more independent in their lives.
Common examples include:
- Widening doorways or installing ramps for wheelchair access.
- Installing stairlifts or through-floor lifts for multi-storey homes.
- Creating accessible bathrooms, such as installing a walk-in shower or wet room.
- Adapting the kitchen for easier use, including lowering countertops.
- Improving safety features, like better lighting or grab rails.
- Installing specialist equipment, such as hoists or adapted controls for heating and lighting.
- Improving access to and from your garden
- Building an extension, for example, to provide a downstairs bedroom
- Adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
- Getting assistive technology to help you live more independently
The adaptations must be deemed “necessary and appropriate” for the disabled person’s needs and “reasonable and practical” given the condition of the property.
How Much Disabled Facilities Grant Can You Get?
The maximum grant available is different within each country and only applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- £30,000 in England
- £36,000 in Wales
- £25,000 in Northern Ireland
Disabled Facilities Grant is not available in Scotland, to find out about support for equipment and adaptations for disabled people in Scotland
The amount you receive depends on the cost of the adaptations and, if applicable, your financial circumstances. If your required adaptations exceed the maximum grant amount, your council may have additional funding options, or you might need to contribute yourself.
How to Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant
Contact Your Local Council: The first practical step is to contact your local council. They’re the ones who handle Disabled Facilities Grants in the UK. You can find their details online or give them a call. Let them know you’re interested in applying for a grant and ask about the process. They’ll provide you with the application form and advice on the process.
Fill Out an Application Form: Once you’ve contacted the council, they’ll send you an application form. This is where you provide your personal details, information about your home, and what adaptations you need. Be as detailed as possible when describing the challenges you’re facing. If writing isn’t your thing, don’t stress—ask a friend, family member, or support worker to help.
Get a Home Assessment: Next, a council-appointed occupational therapist (OT) will visit your home. Don’t worry—they’re there to help! The OT will assess your living situation and discuss what changes would improve your quality of life. This could be anything from adding a wet room to making your garden more accessible.
Submit Your Application: Along with the form, you’ll need to provide details about your income and savings (unless the adaptations are for a child) and a description of the proposed work.
Approval Process: The council will review your application, assessing whether the work is necessary, appropriate, and reasonable. They must notify you of their decision within six months.
Be as detailed as possible when describing the challenges you’re facing. If writing isn’t your thing, don’t stress, ask a friend, family member, or support worker to help.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Completing the Work
If your grant is approved, the council may help you find contractors to carry out the work. If you need to find your own, make sure they’re reputable and experienced in accessibility adaptations. Get quotes and agree on timelines before work begins.
Once the contractors start, you’re on your way to a more accessible home! Keep in touch with them and your council throughout the process. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask as the council is there to help you.
Keep all your paperwork. From quotes to approvals, it’s good to have a record of everything.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
What if You are Renting?
If you rent your home, you can still apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. However, you’ll need your landlord’s permission before any adaptations can begin. Landlords are often supportive, as adaptations can increase the value and appeal of their property.
A landlord can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) if they have a disabled tenant. Landlords are not subject to means testing, which assesses the applicant’s resources. The application includes details about the property, the disabled person, and the works required. The council will only pay for certain products and up to an agreed price.
Where Can I Find More Information?
- In England, head to the Government website for Disabled Facilities Grants
- If you live in Wales, go to the Welsh government website for home adaptations
- If you live in Northern Ireland, check out the Northern Ireland site for Disabled Facilities Grants
- If you live in Scotland, you can find out about support for equipment and adaptations for disabled people
What if I’m Not Eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision. Start by asking the council for a detailed explanation of why the grant was refused. If you’re not entitled to a Disabled Facilities Grant from your council, you may still be entitled to other sources of financial help.
Check whether you’re entitled to other help and make sure that you’re claiming any benefits you’re entitled to. Many people who need help with care will qualify for a disability benefit either Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance depending on your age. These benefits are means-tested so your income and savings will not be taken into account.
The Turn2Us online benefits calculator is a quick and easy way to find out what you could be claiming. And you can search for charitable grants to help pay for equipment or adaptations on the Turn2Us website too.
If the grant doesn’t cover all costs, ask your council if there are other funding sources or charities that can help.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Why This Matters
Adapting your home can be life-changing. Whether it’s gaining the ability to move freely between rooms or creating a safe space to shower, these adjustments allow disabled people to live with dignity and independence. And with the Disabled Facilities Grant, these changes are often within reach, even if the costs initially seem overwhelming.
If you think a Disabled Facilities Grant could help you or a loved one, don’t wait, reach out to your local council and start the process. The application might take some time, but the result could transform your daily life. Your home should work for you, and with the right support, it can. If you are a Purpl Member, you can join the private Facebook group where you can chat with other like-minded people and share your thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Disabled Facilities Grant if I am renting?
Yes, you can! Whether it is council, housing association or privately rented, but you do need permission from your landlord.
How long will it take to get the work done?
All works covered by a mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant must be completed within twelve months of the grant being approved. There is usually a waiting list for this grant as funding is limited and it may take some time for your application to be agreed.
Do disabled facilities grants have to be repaid?
Not usually, but if you are a homeowner and you have a grant of more than £5,000 you may be asked to repay some of it if you move within 10 years. Check the conditions with your local authority.
Can you have more than one Disabled Facilities Grant?
Yes, there’s not a limit on how many grants you can have. However, each application will be judged on its own merits.
Is the Disabled Facilities Grant means tested?
Not if the adaptations are for a disabled child. Disabled facilities grants are usually means tested for adults, but you will usually get a full grant if you already receive a means tested benefit. Some local authorities waive the means test in certain circumstances.
Related Articles for Disabled Benefits and Savings
Understanding Car Tax Discounts for Disabled People
Benefits of the Disabled Person’s Railcard
Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – Information and How to Apply Guide
