Understanding Disabled Facilities Grants

1. What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

A Disabled Facilities Grant is funding administered by a local council to help pay for necessary changes to a disabled person’s home. The purpose is to reduce or remove barriers that make everyday activities difficult or unsafe.

The grant may support people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, age-related needs, autism, cognitive impairments, progressive conditions, terminal illnesses or mental health conditions. Receiving a DFG does not affect other benefits.

A needs assessment and a grant decision are separate steps. An assessor may identify helpful changes, but the council must still decide whether the proposed work meets the grant rules and whether it is reasonable and practicable for the property.

2. How a DFG may help

The main benefit is not the building work itself, but what the adaptation may allow a person to do more safely, independently and comfortably at home.

The outcome will depend on the person, the property and the approved work. A grant cannot guarantee that every difficulty can be resolved within the existing home.

3. Work a DFG may cover

The council considers the disabled person’s assessed needs rather than approving a product simply because it has been requested. Work may include:

4. Who can apply?

The disabled person does not always need to own the property. The application may be submitted by an owner, tenant or landlord, but a disabled person living in the home must need the adaptation.

The disabled person will normally need to intend to live in the property during the grant period, which is usually five years but may be shorter in some circumstances.

The council must be satisfied that the proposed work is:

• necessary and appropriate to meet the person’s needs; and
• reasonable and practicable given the age and condition of the property.

Ownership, tenancy, landlord permission and the suitability of the building can all affect what happens next.

5. Will there be a financial assessment?

For many adult applications, the council considers household income and savings when deciding whether the applicant must contribute towards the work. Savings above the threshold set by the national rules may be included in the assessment.

An assessment does not necessarily mean that someone with income or savings cannot receive help. It determines whether the household is expected to pay part of the approved cost.

Applications for disabled children under 18 are not assessed using their parents’ income. Landlords can also apply without their own income and savings being considered, although the council may attach conditions to the grant.

6. How much funding is available?

The maximum mandatory grant differs by nation. The amount actually offered can depend on the approved work, the eligible cost and any contribution identified through a financial assessment.

Some councils may provide additional discretionary help. A person may also be able to apply again if their needs change and further work becomes necessary.

Amounts can change. Check the official guidance and your council’s current policy before making financial decisions.

8. How the application process usually works

1. 1

   Contact the local council

   Start with the council responsible for the property where the adaptation is needed.

2. 2

   Discuss the person’s needs

   The council may arrange an occupational therapist or trained assessor to visit the home.

3. 3

   Identify a suitable adaptation

   The assessment considers the barriers present and what changes may meet the person’s needs.

4. 4

   Complete the council’s checks

   This may include financial, ownership, tenancy, property and quotation information.

5. 5

   Receive a formal decision

   Current GOV.UK guidance states that the council must give a decision within six months.

6. 6

   Arrange the approved work

   Follow the council’s instructions about specifications, quotations, contractors and permissions.

7. 7

   Inspection and payment

   Payment may be made in stages or after completion, and may be paid directly to the contractor.

9. Before any work starts

Do not rely on a verbal discussion, an assessment visit or an estimated award. Confirm that the grant has been approved and that the council accepts the specification, quotation and contractor arrangements before committing to work.

Approved work should normally be completed within the period stated by the council. GOV.UK guidance says work should be completed within 12 months of approval unless different arrangements are agreed.

10. Permissions and approvals

Grant approval does not automatically provide every permission needed for the project. Depending on the property and work, separate approval may be needed for:

• planning permission;
• building regulations;
• landlord or freeholder consent;
• listed-building consent;
• shared or common parts of a building; or
• party-wall requirements.

Ask the council, landlord and an appropriately qualified professional which permissions apply before work begins.

11. Choosing a company for the work

Councils organise work in different ways. A council may use its own contractor arrangements, offer support through a home improvement agency or ask the applicant to obtain quotations. Confirm what choice you have before appointing a company.

Before agreeing to work, consider checking:

• the company’s legal identity and company number;
• experience completing comparable adaptations;
• appropriate insurance, qualifications and accreditations;
• a written quotation linked to the approved specification;
• payment stages, timescales, guarantees and aftercare; and
• who will carry out the work and manage subcontractors.

Accessible Trades helps people discover and research potential companies. You can save promising companies in your browser while speaking with your council, occupational therapist or other adviser. Saving a company does not mean it is council-approved or suitable for a particular grant. Accessible Trades does not administer grants, approve contractors, inspect work or guarantee suitability.

12. Refusals, appeals and further support

If an application is refused or the proposed award is unclear, ask the council to explain its reasons and whether further information or a revised proposal could be considered.

An applicant can appeal to the council. If the matter is not resolved, they may be able to use the council’s complaints process and then complain to the relevant ombudsman.