Disabled Facilities Grants are available to carry out adaptation works that will help a disabled person remain living independently in their own home.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are:
- a private tenant or owner of a property
- a landlord on behalf of a disabled tenant
If you are a council tenant you will need to arrange to be assessed by a community occupational therapist before we can help you further. You can call 0845 045 5205 to arrange this.
Whoever applies must sign a certificate of ownership or tenancy stating that they intend to occupy the home being adapted for at least five years.
What work is eligible?
Grants are awarded for essential adaptations to allow the disabled person better freedom of movement around the home.
Eligible works are assessed by an occupational therapist and include:
- widening doors or installing ramps
- installing a stair lift or door entry system
- providing an adapted bathroom or kitchen
- improving or installing a suitable heating system
The Council will have to ensure that the work is necessary, appropriate, reasonable, practicable and feasible.
How much funding is available?
The maximum amount available as a Disabled Facilities Grant is £30,000.
The grant is means tested to ensure that those in most need get help, unless the grant is for a disabled child.
The means test will assess the income and savings of the disabled person and their spouse or partner. You may be required to make a contribution towards the adaptation costs.
Further funding may be available if the costs of works will be more than £30,000. This may be awarded as a grant or a loan.
How can I apply?
You can make a preliminary enquiry online to check whether or not you will be eligible for a grant.
If you do not want to fill in the form online, you can download a printable version of the enquiry form and return it to us by post.
Please note that this is not an application form and if you are eligible for funding you will need to arrange to be assessed by a community occupational therapist.
You can contact the Occupational Therapy service on 0845 045 5205.
After this has been been completed you will need to fill out a full Disabled Facilities Grant application form. You will not be awarded a grant for any works started before your application has been approved.
You will be notified in writing within six months of your application if you have been awarded a grant.